Whole Mackerel in the fridge

[Merlin5]

Hi guys. I usually wrap whole mackerel and freeze them as soon as they're bought. And after defrosting one of them, if I don't gut and cook it the same day, I'll have it the next day and it still smells fine before cooking. I bought 4 whole mackerels on saturday and put them in the fridge but only just put them in the freezer tonight. So that's two days and a few hours before freezing. There is a bit of an off smell to them that I don't normally get and I've put them in the freezer now. Do you think they'll be ok? I've had chicken with a bit of an off smell and that's been fine. But don't know about fish.

 

[Merlin5]

Ok thanks guys, it was only five quids worth so I'll bin them. Aa far as gutting them, I've had no problem freezing, defrosting, and then removing head, spine and guts. Always tastes fine.

 

[Merlin5]

Always gut fish that size before freezing ... whitebait, sprats fine, mackrel nooooo

There are opinions on Google in favour of gutting before freezing and not gutting.

 

[Merlin5]

Each to their own I guess. I go mackrel feathering in Anglesey, they get gutted, washed and cool boxed straight away just to be safe.

I might gut and clean my mackerel before freezing on the next batch I buy. Takes me quite a few minutes to do which is why I find it less tiresome to debone just one after it's defrosted rather than all of them together.

 

[Merlin5]

It isnt always whole. Mostly you just buy fillets or pre gutted fish.

Merlin probably buys his fish from poachers.

How did you know.

Well I threw those away and bought 4 more and froze them straight away. Didn't bother gutting them before freezing. Defrosted one, head off and gutted, grilled, steamed some cabbage, carrots and sprouts, boiled some brown rice and mixed with petit pois, and coated everything with a few dollops of fat free greek yogurt. Was lovely. That's one of my regular meals once or twice a week.