Can You Freeze Dried Anchovies?

Dried anchovies are one of the most popular snacks in the world. They are easy to store and can be eaten at any time. The process of drying fish is a long and complicated one, but it has been perfected over the years.

If you enjoy using dried anchovies in your cooking, you will want to have plenty of them stored in the kitchen. Would freezing dried anchovies be one of the options for storage?

You can definitely freeze dried anchovies. Dried anchovies are very simple to store and keep for long periods of time. The fish should either be stored in an airtight container or freezer bag. Properly stored, dried anchovies will stay fresh for up to 1 year in the freezer.

In this article, we will be discussing the freezer shelf life of dried anchovies. We will also be explaining what factors affect the shelf life of dried anchovies and how to store them in your freezer.

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Does Dried Anchovies Freeze Well?

Dried anchovies freeze well due to their low moisture and high salt content. Freezing will preserve the flavor of the anchovies and also prevent them from becoming rancid.

However, due to all of the moisture being absorbed from the fish, you can keep them stored at room temperature. Dried fish must be kept in a cool and dry place that doesn’t get too humid or wet for them to last long. Dried anchovies can be kept in the pantry or cupboard for up to six months without losing their flavor or texture.

If you’re planning to keep them longer than 6 months, you can store them in the freezer. Just make sure that it’s sealed tight either in an airtight container or freezer bag.

How To Freeze Dried Anchovies

When it comes to freezing dried anchovies, the process is straightforward and doesn’t require a lot of time.

Below are the steps to freezing dried anchovies:

Step 1: Preparation

It’s important that the anchovies are completely dried before freezing them. Just a small amount of moisture on the fish could potentially damage them during freezing.

If there is some moisture on the anchovies, use a paper towel and gently pat them dry.

Step 2: Wrapping

Wrap the dried anchovies with plastic wrap. By wrapping them, it will give them extra protection while it’s stored in the freezer.

Since anchovies are small, most people will wrap them together.

Step 3: Place In Freezer Bag

After all the dried anchovies are wrapped, place them into the freezer bag. Then press on the bag to remove any excess air before sealing it.

Step 4: Label and Freeze

With a pen, write the date of freezing on the bag. This will help you keep track of the date when it was frozen and when to use it. Technically, dried anchovies can last indefinitely in the freezer, but it’s best to try to use them within a year for the best result.

Then place the bag of dried anchovies into the freezer.

How Long Can You Freeze Dried Anchovies?

The most important factor that affects the shelf life of dried anchovies is temperature. The temperature at which they are stored has a huge impact on how long they last before spoiling and losing their flavor and taste.

Dried anchovies have a shelf life of about 1 year when stored in the freezer. There is no need to worry about them going bad and you can always use your dried anchovies for snacks and other recipes that call for them.

How Do You Defrost Dried Anchovies?

Before you can use dried anchovies in your cooking, you have to defrost them first. To do this, you need a bowl of water and some salt.

Place the entire bag of anchovies in a bowl of cold water for about 10 minutes. Make sure the bag is sealed tightly.

Then remove from the bowl and place on paper towels. Sprinkle with salt and let it sit for about 3 minutes before using it.

If you don’t need dried anchovies right away, you can thaw them in the fridge. Remove the bag of frozen dried anchovies and place it in a bowl. Then place it into the fridge and let it sit overnight to thaw.

Can You Refreeze Dried Anchovies?

You can refreeze dried anchovies, but only if there is no moisture on them. When the anchovies are thawed, there will usually be some moisture on them. When freezing it again, the moisture will cause the dried anchovies to become soft and mushy.

If you’re planning to refreeze dried anchovies, ensure that it’s dry first.