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Congelar bacalao: cómo hacerlo bien para no perder calidad - Bacalalo

How to freeze cod: doing it right to preserve quality

March 18, 2026Lalo González Rodríguez⏱ 2 min de lectura
Summary: Freezing cod correctly allows you to always have this fish available without losing quality. Learn the differences between freezing fresh, desalted, and salted cod.
Bacalao preparado para congelar correctamente
📋 Table of Contents
  1. Types of Cod and Freezing
  2. How to Freeze Correctly
  3. Correct Thawing
  4. Impact on Quality
  5. Frequently Asked Questions

Types of Cod and Freezing

Type Can it be frozen? Maximum time
Fresh Cod ✅ Yes (mandatory for anisakis) 3-4 months
Desalted Cod ✅ Yes, very practical 2-3 months
Salted Cod ❌ Not necessary (salt preserves it) Not recommended
Cooked Cod ✅ Yes (with limitations) 1-2 months

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Skip the desalting and freezing process: our desalted cod is ready to cook directly. Quality guaranteed.

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How to freeze correctly

For fresh or desalted cod:

  1. Dry very well with paper towels (moisture forms ice crystals that damage the texture)
  2. Divide into individual portions or for 2 people
  3. Wrap each portion in cling film, removing all air
  4. Place in an airtight freezer bag, remove air
  5. Label with date and contents
  6. Freeze at -18°C or lower

Correct thawing

  • Ideal method: in the refrigerator for 12-24h (slow, preserves texture)
  • Quick method: under cold running water in an airtight bag (2-3h)
  • Never: microwave (cooks external proteins), room temperature (bacterial risk)

Impact on quality

Freezing has a minimal impact on cod if done correctly. Muscle fibers are well preserved and the texture after thawing is almost identical to fresh product. The main risk is freezer burn: this occurs when the cod is not well wrapped and the freezer air dehydrates the surface.

For dishes where texture is critical (pil-pil, pan-seared cod), preferably use cod that has not been frozen, or frozen correctly for less than 2 months. For stews and recipes with sauces, freezing does not affect the outcome.

🛒 Products mentioned in this article

Desalted Boneless Loins

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€21.45

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does salted cod need to be frozen?
No. Salt in high concentrations acts as an effective preservative that prevents bacterial and parasitic growth. Salted cod can be stored in a cool, dry place for months or years. Freezing it offers no benefit and can alter the salt.
Can I refreeze cod that has already been frozen?
It is not recommended to refreeze cod that has already been completely thawed: quality deteriorates and bacterial risk increases. If you thawed more than necessary, cook it that same day and freeze it cooked if you want to preserve it.

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Salted cod

Lo que cierra una receta

Salted cod

El detalle que separa un plato de un buen plato.

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Lalo González Rodríguez

Lalo González Rodríguez

Master Cod Craftsman · Founder of Bacalalo

Expert in salted fish and founder of Bacalalo with over 35 years of experience selecting the finest pieces of Icelandic cod and gourmet seafood at the Mercat del Ninot in Barcelona.

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