Mentaiko (pollock roe): frozen storage, expiration date, and  recipes

Do you want to always have mentaiko (pollock roe) on hand?

It would be very convenient if mentaiko was always available at home.

Mentaiko can be enjoyed on top of steamed rice, as a side dish for a lunch box, as a snack when drinking alcohol, on its own, or with other ingredients.

However, mentaiko can be quite expensive depending on the seasons.

Mentaiko is expensive if you buy it in small pieces, but if you buy it in bulk online, you can buy high-quality mentaiko at a cheaper price.

By buying in bulk and freezing it, you can keep delicious mentaiko on hand at a low price.

So this time, we'll discuss an economical way to freeze mentaiko and 5 recommended recipes.

Benefits of freezing mentaiko

Longer storage time

Freezing mentaiko makes it last for a longer time.

Mentaiko, which is a perishable product, will last only about two weeks in the refrigerator.

Mentaiko is convenient to have on hand as it can be used for a variety of purposes, such as as an accompaniment to rice, as a side dish for lunch boxes, as a snack, or as a substitute for seasoning.

However, many people may not be able to afford it due to its price.

You can save money by purchasing it on sale at supermarkets or in bulk online.

It's nice to be able to keep cheap mentaiko on hand by freezing it.

Easier to peel

Frozen mentaiko is being easier to peel.

Usually, it can be a bit troublesome to peel, but after freezing it, it is easily peeled by simply using a knife.

The skin is easy to peel, so it is convenient to use immediately when cooking mentaiko spaghetti or making mentaiko mayonnaise.

How to freeze mentaiko

How to freeze raw mentaiko

This is a convenient method of freezing and preserving food when you buy in bulk at markets such as Tsukiji, or when you buy souvenirs from the supermarket.

1) Cut the mentaiko into easy-to-use pieces, divide into portions for each use, and wrap tightly in plastic wrap.

Once thawed, mentaiko cannot be refrozen, so wrap the amount you will use at one time in plastic wrap to make it easier to thaw.

2) Place them in an airtight container such as a ziplock bag, making sure not to overlap them, and remove as much air as possible.

Wrapping it in plastic wrap and then storing it in an airtight container will prevent odor transfer and freezer burn.

3) Refrigerate as quickly as possible at a low temperature.

Place it on a metal tray with good thermal conductivity, set the freezing setting to high, and freeze it as quickly as possible at a low temperature.

How to freeze and preserve frozen mentaiko easily

This is a convenient way to preserve frozen mentaiko when you buy it in bulk online.
1) Divide the frozen mentaiko into small pieces if possible.

If it hardens and is difficult to peel off, please wait for a while until it becomes easier to separate, as if you try to force it, the grains will break and become bland and lose their taste.

2) Wrap each amount in plastic wrap for each use.

3) Place it in an airtight container such as a ziplock bag and remove as much air as possible.

4) Store in the freezer.

If the food is half-thawed, try placing it on a metal bat so that it can be frozen quickly and at the lowest possible temperature.

Mentaiko purchased frozen is quickly stored in a commercial freezer and can be kept in good condition.

The faster you freeze it, the more chances you have to minimize quality deterioration and keep it fresh.

>> Best before date and tips for extending the best before date for frozen meat and fish

How to thaw frozen mentaiko and storage period

How to thaw frozen mentaiko

Frozen mentaiko will taste better if you thaw it slowly in the refrigerator.

Move it to the refrigerator half a day before you want to use it.

As a general rule of thumb, if you want to eat in the morning, it's best to that it overnight, and if you want to eat at night, it's best to start thawing it during the morning.

If you really want to use it right away, wrap it in plastic wrap, put it in a plastic bag, and thaw it in a container filled with water.

When doing so, remove the air from the plastic bag and tie the bag tightly to prevent water from entering the bag.

If you want to cook frozen mentaiko, you can cook it as is.

Expiration date of frozen mentaiko

Frozen mentaiko can be stored for about 3 months.

There are cases where it was okay to eat mentaiko that had been in the freezer for a year or two, but it depends on how it was stored, so be careful when eating it after the recommended storage period.

If the food is sticky, dry, stringy, or has a strange smell when thawed, it may be rotten.

As a general rule, avoid eating anything that you feel is strange.

The black and green parts are just colored bile, so it does not mean it is rotten.

If you freeze fresh mentaiko, you can store it in the refrigerator for about a week after thawing.

To avoid accidentally spoiling it, it is best to freeze it in individual servings and use it within the same day.

5 easy recipes using frozen mentaiko

Mentaiko shiso pasta

Source: https://cookpad.com/recipe/3323706

☑〈材料1人分〉
・スパゲティ　90ℊ
・塩　大さじ1
・刻み海苔　適量
✩冷凍明太子　40ℊ
✩しその葉　3枚
✩バター　大さじ1

<Instructions>
1) Boil plenty of water in a pot, add salt, and boil the spaghetti according to the instructions on the package.
2) While tearing the shiso leaves with your hands, put the ingredients in ✩ into a bowl, add 3 tablespoons of the spaghetti boiling water, and mix while breaking up the mentaiko.
3) Once the spaghetti is boiled, drain the water, put it in the bowl from 2) and mix well.
4) Serve in a bowl, sprinkle with seaweed, and enjoy.

Lotus root with mentaiko mayo

Source: https://cookpad.com/recipe/4216820

☑〈材料2人分〉
・蓮根　100ℊ
・水　200㏄
・酢　小さじ1
・オリーブオイル　小さじ1/2
・刻みネギ　大さじ2
・冷凍明太子　1/2本
・マヨネーズ　大さじ1

<Instructions>
1) Cut the lotus root into pieces and soak them in a vinegar solution made by combining a certain amount of water and vinegar.
2) Heat olive oil in a frying pan, then add drained lotus root, chopped green onion, and mentaiko and heat.
3) When it starts to sizzle, reduce the heat to medium-low, stir-fry for about 5 minutes, then turn off the heat and stir in the mayonnaise.
4) Arrange it in a bowl and enjoy.

Mentaiko cream udon

Source: https://cookpad.com/recipe/2295626

☑〈材料1人分〉
・冷凍うどん　1玉
・冷凍明太子　1腹
・豆乳または牛乳　大さじ3
・バター　8～10ℊ
・冷凍ブロッコリー　1/4本
・冷凍しめじ　1/2株

<Instructions>
1) Soak frozen udon noodles in water, place in a deep dish, cover with plastic wrap, and heat in the microwave for 2 minutes.
2) Peel the frozen mentaiko and place it on top of the udon noodles.
3) Place frozen broccoli, frozen shimeji mushrooms, butter, and soy milk on top of 2).
4) Cover with plastic wrap and heat in the microwave for 2 minutes, then take out and mix well.
5) If it's cold, keep an eye on it and put it in the microwave again until it's completely warmed up and it's done.
As for vegetables, you can add whatever vegetables you want. Spinach, mizuna, and other mushrooms work well with this dish.

 Grilled mentaiko, potato and cheese

Source: https://cookpad.com/recipe/2220762

☑〈材料〉
・冷凍ポテト　適量
・冷凍明太子　適量
・とろけるチーズ　適量

<Instructions>
1) Fry the frozen potatoes in a frying pan with plenty of oil.
2) Once the potatoes are cooked, add the frozen mentaiko, and once the mentaiko is cooked, remove it.
3) Lightly oil a frying pan and add the melted cheese so that it forms a round shape.
4) Once the cheese has melted, add the ingredients in step 2) and let it brown until golden brown. Cover the frying pan with a plate and flip it over and it's ready to serve.

Mentaiko cucumber

Source: https://recipe.rakuten.co.jp/recipe/1700013058/

☑〈材料1人分〉
・きゅうり　10㎝
・冷凍明太子　大さじ2

<Instructions>
1) Thaw frozen mentaiko by moving it to the refrigerator half a day before cooking.
2) Cut the cucumber into 5cm lengths, then cut them in half.
3) Place the thawed mentaiko on top of the cucumber whose skin has been cut into a V-shape and it's done.
The refreshing, crunchy texture of cucumbers and the spicy mentaiko make for a great snack.

Conclusion

How do you freeze mentaiko and what are some recommended recipes?

You can have mentaiko on hand by simply wrapping it in plastic wrap in the amount you will use at a time, then storing it in an airtight container and freezing it.

It's convenient to stock up on frozen mentaiko by buying it in bulk at a bargain price.

When you buy frozen mentaiko, we recommend immediately dividing it into portions and storing them in the freezer.

We hope you can try it out and see how good it is for yourself.

>> Click here for how to freeze meat

>> Click here for how to freeze fish

>> Click here for other ways to freeze vegetables