Frozen vs. Fresh Fish: Which is Best?

Last Modified: October 30, 2026

Standing at the seafood counter, it’s natural to wonder whether the fillet on ice is better than the one in the freezer case. When it comes to fresh vs. frozen fish, the answer may surprise you. Fish that’s flash-frozen at sea, just minutes after it’s caught, often tastes fresher than “fresh” fish that spent days traveling to market. Below, we settle the frozen fish vs. fresh fish debate on flavor, quality, safety, and sustainability. Then we answer the questions we hear most: How long does frozen fish last? Can you refreeze frozen fish? We’ll also show you how to thaw frozen fish safely and how to cook frozen fish so it comes out tender and flaky every time.

Is Frozen Fish or Fresh Fish Better for You (and the Environment)?

When comparing frozen fish vs. fresh fish, you may assume that fresh fish is more desirable, and it could be if you are lucky enough to be on the boat that caught the fish or to meet it on the shore. However, most of us enjoy fish far from the source, and that means frozen fish in many cases is more convenient. Paradoxically, it can also be fresher, because it is flash-frozen at sea on the boat, minutes after being caught. The specialized freezers used are much colder than the average home freezer and are designed to rapidly freeze fish and maintain the texture at the peak of its freshness. As a further benefit, the process also kills any bacteria or parasites.

Fresh fish presents certain sustainability issues. Due to its perishability, fresh fish must be transported by air and rapidly distributed. By the time you get it to your kitchen, the fish has taken a carbon-intensive journey and may not be so fresh anymore – or have a very limited window for consumption. Flash-frozen fish dramatically reduces carbon emissions from air transport and reduces waste because the quality is maintained.

So, the short answer is that frozen fish is actually better for the planet and for your family.

Is Frozen Fish as Healthy as Fresh?

Here’s some good news: freezing doesn’t strip fish of its nutrients. Protein, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, and minerals all hold up well in the freezer, so properly frozen fish offers essentially the same nutrition as fresh. What matters most is how the fish is handled. Fish frozen quickly after the catch and kept solidly frozen holds its flavor and texture, and there’s no nutritional penalty for choosing convenience.

Because frozen fish keeps for months, it also makes it easier to enjoy seafood two or three times a week, as the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend. To learn more about why fish deserves a regular place on your plate, read the Health Benefits of Eating Fish.
 

How Long Will Seafood Last in the Freezer?

Once you have the freezer stocked with your favorite cuts of fish, how long will frozen fish last?

• Fatty fish like salmon and sea bass will last 3 to 6 months in the freezer.
• Lean fish like ahi tuna, cod, and mahi mahi will last 6 to 12 months.
• Shellfish like shrimp, scallops, and langoustines will last 6 to 12 months.

How to Thaw Frozen Fish

If you have the luxury of time, the best way to thaw frozen fish is to remove fish from the freezer the day before and thaw in the refrigerator. ALWAYS remove the frozen fish from the vacuum-sealed packaging in which it was shipped to allow the seafood to breathe. Allowing some air circulation around your seafood will help preserve the quality of flavor and texture. Skipping this step can lead to soggy fish, unpleasant odors, and unwanted sliminess. For best thawing results, follow the steps detailed below on how to thaw frozen fish or download and save our defrosting guide.

Once removed from packaging, place the seafood on a plate or a tray lined with paper towels, skin side up if applicable. Then store it on the lowest shelf in the refrigerator. The paper towels will pull excess water out of the fish, helping to keep the texture firm and create the nice sear and skin crispiness we all want. For an even firmer texture, rest your seafood on a wire rack over the plate or tray so that the liquid drains down rather than pooling under the seafood.

Allow about 12 hours, and once thawed, give the seafood a good pat-down with paper towels to remove any remaining moisture before cooking.

If you are in a hurry, you may soak the unopened fish in cool water until it begins to soften. Again, remove fish from packaging, and place the items in a separate sealable bag, leaving a small air gap. Then submerge the fish under cool water. Do NOT place the fish directly in the water, or it will become waterlogged. Change the water every 30 minutes to keep it cool. Never use warm or hot water, as it can cook portions of the fish and is not safe.

The time this takes will vary with the size of the cut; assume anywhere from 20 minutes to 2 hours. Then remove fish from the package, rinse and pat dry. It can be cooked immediately or stored in the refrigerator for no more than 24 hours before cooking.

Refreezing Thawed or Partially Thawed Fish

Our quality seafood is shipped via recyclable, insulated packaging with non-toxic gel packs that will hold fish at its required temperature for 36 hours. In the case that any portion of your fish order arrives partially unfrozen, you may be wondering if you can refreeze fish that are partially thawed. Put it immediately in the freezer. It is safe to refreeze and will not lose any of its flavor or quality.

Frozen Fish You Can Feel Good About

Choosing frozen fish doesn’t mean giving up quality. In many cases, it’s the fresher, smarter choice. At D’Artagnan, our seafood is flash-frozen at peak freshness, just minutes after the catch, so it keeps the clean flavor and firm texture you’d expect from the dock. We source responsibly, from wild-caught Gulf white shrimp to sustainably sourced, humanely trapped North Atlantic lobster tails. Because frozen seafood skips costly air freight and spoils less, it’s also gentler on the planet.

Ready to stock your freezer? Browse our sustainable fish fillets and steaks or explore our full seafood collection. Then find dinner inspiration in our seafood recipes.