If you enjoy eating fish, you definitely will love fish chowder. This dish is made with a variety of ingredients that gives it that delicious seafood taste. If you’ve made some at home, you may end up with some leftovers. Since you don’t want to throw it away, would freezing them be an option?
Can you freeze fish chowder? Yes, you can freeze fish chowder, but it may not be as fresh as you like. Fish chowder isn’t one of the dishes that freeze well due to the ingredients used such as cream and milk. If you don’t mind the small change in texture, you can freeze fish chowder. Properly stored, fish chowder will last for up to 4 months in the freezer.
Does Fish Chowder Freeze Well?
Fish chowder isn’t a dish that freezes well. The fish in the soup will freezer perfectly fine, but the sauce will not.
Most types of chowders like clam chowders, seafood chowders, including fish chowder, all use cream and milk as one of the ingredients. Unfortunately, dairy produce doesn’t freeze very well. When it’s frozen, you may notice the sauce has become grainy.
However, if you don’t like the texture of it when it thaws, you can drain the sauce from it. Then add new sauces to it and blend it all together. It would be the same it was made fresh, but the fish chowder will taste better.
How To Freeze Fish Chowder
Fish chowder is a meal that’s easy to make. Freezing them will require careful handling. If not you can get sick from it
Follow the simple method below to freeze your fish chowder:
1. Cool Down
All the fish chowder to cool to room temperature. You’ll also want to avoid letting them sit at room temperature for too long. Fish is highly perishable and bacteria can quickly grow when the temperature is warm.
To help cool down the fish chowder quickly, you can place them in a bowl of cool water. Make sure the water doesn’t reach the rim of the pot.
2. Portion The Fish Chowder
Divide the chowder into portions. You may need a lot of containers or freezer bags to store them all.
Portioning the chowder will allow you to remove the amount you need without having any leftovers. Any leftovers will need to be discarded since you can’t refreeze them.
3. Storage Container
You can either use a plastic bag or an airtight container to store fish chowder. Whichever you choose, make sure it’s made for freezer usage. Otherwise, it won’t be able to withstand the freezing temperature and will crack.
Place the fish chowder into the container. Make sure to leave about an inch of space at the top of the bag or container. As the soup begins to freeze, it will start to expand. By giving it some headroom, you avoid having a cracked container and leakage all over the freezer.
4. Seal and Label
If using an airtight container, check the seal of the lid and make sure there are no damages. If you don’t see any, secure the lid to the container tightly.
For the freezer bag, squeeze the bag and seal it.
With a marker, label the container or bag with the date of freezing.
5. Store in Freezer
Once it’s sealed and labeled, place them into the freezer for storage.
How Long Can You Freeze Fish Chowder?
Fish chowder will last up to 4 months in the freezer. This is if it’s properly stored and kept at a constant temperature of 0 degrees Fahrenheit or lower.
After that time, fish chowder will still be safe to eat, but you may find the quality of it deteriorating.
To ensure that the chowder remains at its best quality, you should try to consume it within 4 months.
How Do You Defrost Fish Chowder?
When it comes to thawing fish chowder, there’s no quick method to try. Since the ingredients involve fish, it could cause food poisoning if it’s not done properly.
The safest and recommended method is to place the fish chowder into the fridge and let it thaw. Let it sit in the fridge overnight or for at least 6 hours before you can reheat them.
As it thaws, the texture may separate a bit. To fix the problem, when reheating in a pan, use a spatula and constantly stir it until the ingredients blend together.
You can add milk, cream, or herbs to give the fish chowder more flavor.
Can You Refreeze Fish Chowder?
Fish chowder should never be frozen twice. Refreezing the soup will lead to texture and taste change. You will not enjoy the taste of it.
Also, refreezing fish chowder gives it more chance for bacteria to grow. Fish is highly perishable and when it sits at room temperature for too long, it will start to get contaminated with pathogens.
To avoid having to refreeze fish chowder, you can freeze them in a smaller portion. This way, you’ll only need to remove the amount of soup without having any leftovers and having to refreeze them.
Other Questions about Fish Chowder
Can you freeze clam chowder?
Yes, you can freeze clam chowder. Store them in an airtight container or freezer bag. Since clam is a shellfish, you need to handle them very carefully. Otherwise, it will get contaminated with bacteria and cause you to get sick.