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Fish preservation #751125

Asked May 20, 2021, 3:54 PM EDT

We caught halibut and king salmon out of Homer yesterday and ‘vacu-packed’ it last night. How long can we safely keep it in the refrigerator before it needs to be frozen? Thank you for your help in this matter

Kenai Peninsula County Alaska

Expert Response

Hi Sandy,

vacuum-packed fish has the same shelf-life in the refrigerator as non-vacuum packed. So you should freeze it or cook with it within 3 days. Actually, it's best to freeze the vacuum-packed fish as soon as possible after sealing the bags; vacuum-packing is not really intended for refrigeration.

Also, don't thaw the fish inside the sealed vacuum bags when you're ready to use them; remove the fish from the vacuum-sealed bags (or just cut the bags open) and thaw them in the fridge. The sealed vacuum bags are a method of "reduced oxygen packaging" which is great for maintaining quality in the freezer, but introduces the risk of botulism poisoning when held at higher temperatures (even the cold temperatures of the refrigerator).

Though I'm an Extension Agent in Southeast Alaska (Juneau), I happen to be in Homer right now, too! I'm envious of your catch! Enjoy every bite of it.

Sarah Lewis

<personal data hidden> x1

An Ask Extension Expert Replied May 22, 2021, 9:32 PM EDT
Ah ha! When I see the question was assigned to me by you (not by "system") I know it's actually for me. 
I didn't see until after I answered it that it was later assigned to Leslie. It doesn't look like we both answered, but I hope I didn't mess anything up by answering.

Thanks!
Sarah

Sarah R-P. Lewis
<personal data hidden> x1
She/her/hers
Associate Professor of Extension
Health, Home, Family & Community Development Program
UAF Cooperative Extension Service
Juneau & Sitka Districts of Southeast Alaska
I acknowledge the Southeast Alaska Native nations upon whose traditional lands I live and work. 
In Juneau, the UAF Extension office is located on the traditional lands of the Lingit Aani (Tlingit) people. 
I kaax gunalchéesh yéi ax toowú yatee. I am thankful for you.



On Thu, May 20, 2021 at 11:57 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

Hi Sarah,

Question #0021056 has been assigned to you by Katrina P.

Fish preservation

We caught halibut and king salmon out of Homer yesterday and ‘vacu-packed’ it last night. How long can we safely keep it in the refrigerator before it needs to be frozen? Thank you for your help in this matter

From: Sandy Glover
Submitted: 05/20/2021 3:54 PM


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An Ask Extension Expert Replied May 22, 2021, 9:36 PM EDT

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