Fish fillet on a wooden cutting Board with rosemary, spices and lemon slices. On white rustic background
Food - Drink
The Reason Tilapia Is A Great Type Of Fish To Cook Straight From Frozen
By HOPE NGO
Fried breaded tilapia fillets on a marble board. Black background. Top view.
If you’re the kind of cook who's constantly pressed for time, it may be worth storing tilapia steaks in the freezer for those days when you have a hankering for seafood.
A pile of black talapia at the local market
This freshwater fish is hearty enough to withstand the stress of being cooked from its frozen state because it contains less fat. Oilier fish like salmon can quickly turn mushy.
Raw fish fillet of tilapia in a plate with spices. Dark background. Top view.
Tilapia also contains less water than other types of fish, which means that filets release less liquid when exposed to high temperatures. It cooks quicker without turning soggy.
Raw cod fillet with and herbs on rustic wooden cutting board.  Black background. Top view.
White-fleshed fish like cod, haddock, halibut, seabass, and monkfish can also hold their own when cooked from frozen, since they also contain relatively low fat.
Salmon. Fresh raw salmon fish fillet on white background
Fattier fish like tuna, mackerel, and trout should be defrosted before cooking. For tilapia, fishmongers recommend getting rid of ice crystals by washing the filets in cold water.
Raw tilapia white fish fillet in a wooden plate with rosemary and thyme. Wooden background. Top view.
To finish, dry the fish off and brush on a thin layer of olive oil. You’ll also need to adjust your recipe's cooking time, since cooking fish straight from frozen takes longer.
Baked Tilapia on greens with tomatoes and peppers.  Rustic metal and wood background.  Selective focus.
Cooking experts say that frozen fish won't taste as good as when it's cooked fresh. However, use the right method and it won't taste too far off, and the convenience can't be beat.