How to thaw frozen seafood

The fridge method

Move the sealed pack from the freezer to the fridge the day before. Put it on a tray on the bottom shelf, so drips can't reach other food.

The cold water method, when you're short on time

1. 1

   Keep it sealed

   Leave the seafood in its bag or put it in a zip bag with the air pressed out. Water on the flesh washes out flavour.

2. 2

   Submerge in cold tap water

   Use a bowl of cold water, never warm. Weigh the bag down so it stays under.

3. 3

   Change the water every 30 minutes

   Small items thaw in about an hour. A 1 kg piece takes 2 to 3 hours.

4. 4

   Cook straight away

   Don't refreeze seafood thawed this way.

Never do this

• Thaw on the bench or in the sun. The outside warms into the danger zone while the middle is still frozen.
• Thaw in hot water. It cooks the outside and spoils the texture.
• Refreeze thawed seafood. Freeze it cooked instead.