can you freeze stuffed salmon from costco

Can You Freeze Stuffed Salmon from Costco? A Complete Guide

With its succulent salmon fillet stuffed with a flavourful crab cake-esque filling Costco’s stuffed salmon is a crowd-pleasing seafood dish that’s perfect for special occasions and effortless weeknight dinners alike. But what if you don’t polish off the whole tray in one sitting? Can you freeze the leftovers for future feasts?

The short answer is yes, you can absolutely freeze stuffed salmon from Costco for later enjoyment Freezing is a great way to extend the shelf life of perishable foods like seafood while preserving flavor and texture When frozen properly, Costco’s ready-made stuffed salmon maintains its quality and taste for up to three months in the freezer.

Read on for a complete guide to freezing and thawing Costco stuffed salmon, including storage tips, what to look for when buying it fresh, how to know if it’s gone bad, and the best ways to cook previously-frozen stuffed salmon.

Where to Find Stuffed Salmon at Costco

Costco’s Kirkland Signature Stuffed Salmon is usually located in the refrigerated section with other pre-made entrees like chicken pot pies and lasagnas. Look for the black trays with clear plastic lids in the cold seafood area.

Costco stuffed salmon typically comes in packs of four individually portioned fillets, ranging from 1 to 1.5 pounds each. Prices vary by location but expect to pay around $8 to $11 per serving.

Check the Packaging Before Freezing

It’s important to inspect the stuffed salmon’s original packaging before putting it in the freezer. Make sure there are no tears or holes in the plastic film that could cause freezer burn.

Also check the printed best-by date, which is usually three days from the packing date. Only freeze salmon that hasn’t passed this date for optimal freshness and quality.

Re-Package for Freezer

Even if the original packaging is intact, it’s best to re-wrap the stuffed salmon fillets before freezing. The thin plastic lid on the Costco trays doesn’t provide enough protection from freezer burn.

Place each seasoned fillet in its own freezer bag or airtight container, pressing out excess air before sealing. This prevents ice crystals from forming and drying out the salmon.

Label each package with the date and contents before freezing so you know how long it’s been stored.

Freeze Immediately

Don’t let the stuffed salmon sit in the fridge for more than a day before freezing. Freeze it as soon as possible after purchasing for best texture, moisture, and flavor.

Bacteria grows rapidly on perishable seafood at refrigerator temperatures. Freezing prevents further spoilage.

Portion Control

Consider dividing the big 1 to 1.5 pound fillets into smaller portions before freezing. This allows for more single-serving flexibility when you’re ready to thaw and eat.

Cut each fillet in half orquarters so you can thaw only what you need for a single meal or two. Smaller frozen portions will also thaw faster.

Know Where to Store It

Locate the coldest area of your freezer to store the stuffed salmon, ideally at 0°F or below. Place packs flat on a shelf rather than upright since moisture and cold air circulates better around horizontality positioned items.

Avoid storing near the door where warmer air seeps in. The back or bottom freezer drawer works best.

How Long Does it Last?

Properly packaged and stored at 0°F, Costco’s frozen stuffed salmon lasts for up to three months before drying out or absorbing freezer odors.

For best flavor and texture, plan to eat it within one to two months. Label packages so you can easily identify older ones to serve first.

Don’t go by the best-by date on the original packaging since that pertains to fresh, not frozen, shelf life. Use your freeze date as a reference instead.

Thawing Safely

Always thaw frozen stuffed salmon in the refrigerator, not at room temperature where bacteria can rapidly multiply. Place the frozen package on a bottom shelf and allow it to thaw overnight or up to 24 hours before cooking.

For quicker thawing, you can place the vacuum-sealed package under cold running water. Rotate and flip the bag frequently so the water circulates evenly. Thawing shouldn’t take more than an hour.

Once thawed, use immediately. Never refreeze salmon that has been thawed.

How to Know If It’s Bad

Unfortunately, no amount of freezing can make spoiled seafood safe to eat. Always inspect thawed stuffed salmon closely before cooking or serving.

Signs that the thawed stuffed salmon has gone bad and needs to be discarded include:

• Strong, fishy odor
• Slimy, sticky or tacky consistency
• Discoloration or graying around the edges
• White fungus-like mold/mildew

When in doubt, throw it out. Harmful bacteria can persist even when frozen, resulting in foodborne illness. Don’t risk getting sick from spoiled salmon.

Cooking Frozen Salmon

You can cook Costco’s frozen stuffed salmon directly from the freezer with an extended baking time. No thawing required!

Simply remove any outer packaging, place the frozen fillet on a foil-lined pan, and bake at 400°F for approximately 40-45 minutes until the center reaches 145°F.

Let the cooked salmon rest for 5 minutes before serving. The fish will finish cooking to a safe 165°F.

For best results though, thaw the stuffed salmon overnight before cooking according to package instructions (25-30 minutes at 350°F). The texture and moisture will be superior after thawing first.

Grilling is another quick cooking option. Thaw completely, then grill thawed stuffed salmon on medium indirect heat for 20-25 minutes with the lid closed.

Serving Suggestions

Costco’s stuffed salmon is delicious as-is, but you can amplify the flavors by topping with lemon butter or Hollandaise sauce.

Pair with fresh seasonal vegetables like asparagus or green beans. Rice pilaf or roasted potatoes also complement nicely.

For easy appetizers, slice the thawed fillets into rounds and serve on toasted baguette slices. Top with a dollop of cream cheese or lemon aioli.

Transform leftovers into salmon salad sandwiches or use chunks in pasta or salad recipes. The possibilities are endless!

Is Freezing Worth It?

Absolutely! Freezing Costco stuffed salmon allows you to enjoy a gourmet seafood dinner on your schedule, without having to cook the dish from scratch.

It can also help reduce food waste and save money compared to buying smaller individual fresh portions. Just be diligent about best practices for freezing and thawing to maintain quality and safety.

With proper storage, handling, and cooking, frozen stuffed salmon from Costco is just as appetizing and delicious as fresh. So go ahead and stock up on this customer favorite when you spot it at the warehouse. Enjoy it right away or freeze the extras with confidence.