Abalone is an excellent shellfish choice for the home cook, and if you live near the coast, it’s also a great way to buy in bulk and save money. Like many kinds of seafood, abalone can’t be frozen without losing quality—but it does last for quite a long time when frozen properly.
Can You Freeze Abalone?
Yes, you can freeze the abalone. The best way to freeze it is in its raw state, but you can also cook it first and then freeze it. You can do this by cooking it in oil or water and then freezing them separately or together if you wish.
Whole abalone will last for up to 3 months in your freezer while pieces will last for up to 6 months. The only downside of freezing whole abalone is that once thawed out they are not very appetizing looking as their flesh becomes mushy when cooked too long after being frozen (thus why most people choose to cut into their own portions).
How To Freeze Abalone
Freezing abalone is a simple process. You can wrap it in plastic wrap or place it in a freezer bag, but you can also use a vacuum sealer if you have one to compress the air out of the package and keep out any unwanted flavors.
To freeze abalone, follow these steps:
Step 1: Make sure that your abalone is clean and dry before freezing it. Wash well with fresh water, then dry with paper towels if needed. This will help prevent freezer burn on your product later on!
Step 2: Wrap each piece of seafood separately using plastic wrap or place them individually into a freezer bag for better protection from moisture loss during storage time periods when temperatures fluctuate between hot summer days to frigid winter nights outside (or inside). That way when summer rolls back around again next year after all those cold months gone by now – this tasty treat will still taste just as good!
Step 3: Write the date of freezing on the bag so you know how long it’s been in the freezer.
Step 4: Place the abalone in the freezer for storage.
How Long Does Abalone Last In the Freezer?
How long abalone lasts in the freezer depends on how it is stored. Properly frozen abalone can last up to six months.
If it is not frozen properly, or thawed and refrozen, then you can expect an edible piece of meat to last only three months after being taken out of the freezer.
How To Defrost Abalone
When you’re ready to eat your frozen abalone, the best way to defrost them is in the fridge. Let them sit overnight before cooking them.
If you’re short on time, you can place the frozen abalone in a bowl of cold water and let it sit for two hours. This will slowly defrost the meat and prevent it from getting rubbery or tough when heated up again.
If you don’t have two hours on hand, place the icebox in an 80-degree F (26 C) room for about 20 minutes instead. Be sure to change out any water that gets absorbed by the abalone or starts coming out pink—you want clear liquid only!
Remove excess liquid with kitchen towels before cooking.
Can You Refreeze Abalone?
You can refreeze the abalone if you want to save money by using up your leftovers. However, there are some things you need to know before doing so:
Abalone will get mushy when thawed and refrozen. The texture will also change from firm to soft and squishy after multiple freeze-thaw cycles.
The flavor may also change over time with each cycle of freezing and thawing.
Does Abalone Freeze Well?
Abalone freezes well. In fact, you can freeze abalone for up to six months without any loss of flavor or texture. The key to successful freezing is to store it in its original packaging and use a freezer-safe bag (or vacuum sealing) to prevent freezer burn. You should also make sure that the meat stays submerged in its liquid so that it doesn’t dry out–freezer-safe bags with liquid are perfect for this!
Conclusion
As you can see, freezing abalone is a pretty straightforward process. It’s not difficult and it doesn’t take much time either. This makes it the perfect way to store your abalone for later use!
Kate has been in the food business for over 20 years. Worked as a cook at several buffets which include Old Country Buffet, Five Star Buffet, and Ichiban Buffet. Now, I’m mostly at home cooking for my family, caring for chickens and ducks, and tending the garden.
