“Pesca Paleo Diet” Box

Thawing frozen seafood properly is significant not only to ensure the quality of the seafood but also to prevent health risks. For example, all of our seafood has a protective glaze of water to prevent freezer burn-in to ensure quality. Once thawed, gently pat away any excess moisture from the glazing as soon as possible.

We recommend that you follow the USDA’s instructions on safe food handling, which can be found here. We also recommend that all cooking instructions are followed and that you use a food thermometer to ensure that all seafood and other applicable items are cooked to the USDA’s recommended internal temperatures, which can be found here.

Here are a few simple ways how to defrost:

The Refrigerator Method

It might be the longest, but thawing seafood in the refrigerator is undoubtedly the safest way to thaw any protein such as seafood. It also protects the quality of the seafood, providing the best quality-control method. For example, for our Individual Frozen Portions (IFP) or Individually Quick Frozen (IQF) bags like our shrimp and scallops, it can take up to 12- 24 hours to thaw. Please remove from the original package, plate, and cover, or at a minimum, puncture the plastic packaging. Once melted, seafood lasts up to three days in the original packaging. Do not refreeze after thawing.

The Water Method

Here’s how it works:

IFP Portions: Place the seafood in a bowl of cold water (not warm or hot as that starts the cooking process) in the kitchen sink. Change the water now and then or place a constant drip/spray of water to control the temperature. Check the seafood after one hour – it should be fully thawed by then. Cook immediately after thawing.

IQF bags:

Place the desired quantity of seafood (scallops/shrimp) that you will use into another resealable bag.Replace unused IQF seafood immediately back into the freezer.Submerge the sealed bag in a bowl of cold tap water.Let the bag sit in the water until it’s completely thawed, changing the water every 30 minutes, if necessary.

We don’t recommend running under cold water outside of the bag. Cook immediately after thawing.

The Microwave Method

Not always the favorite way, but it’s fast, and the microwave method is undoubtedly the quickest of the three. Still, it’s the least preferred method to preserve the seafood’s quality. But if you forgot to take it out of the freezer and are in a hurry, here’s what you do: make sure you puncture the plastic before placing it in the microwave. Use the “Defrost” function and set the time according to weight. Cook immediately after thawing.