Hosts cooking at the last minute
If you can’t plan ahead for defrosting, Picard’s product information says its fillets can be cooked straight from frozen, including in a frying pan, in the oven or by steaming.
Who are these fillets suitable for?
Hosts preparing the meal in advance
If you have time to defrost the fillets in the fridge before cooking, écomiam recommends defrosting them for 4 to 6 hours, followed by cooking in a frying pan, on the barbecue or in the oven.
Hosts mindful of bones when serving
If you want to serve portions more easily to guests who are concerned about bones, look for an explicit ‘boneless’ label. Pomona PassionFroid offers a product labelled this way, but it comes in a 3 kg case.
What should you check before buying?
Start by considering how much time you have before cooking. Then check the pack size and storage instructions against the number of guests and the space in your freezer.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking plans | Check whether the product information says the fillets can be cooked from frozen or need to be defrosted in the fridge, as well as the cooking methods listed. | When I’m preparing dinner that same evening, I want to be able to cook the fillets without waiting several hours. Around 42% of consumers prioritise this flexibility. |
| Storage and cooking | Check the storage and defrosting instructions on the pack. For a raw or lightly cooked dish, don’t assume that freezing is enough. | If I’m preparing the fillets in advance, I want to manage their storage safely until serving. This is the main concern for around 33% of consumers. According to the Anses, cooking and freezing do not destroy histamine that has already formed. |
| Bones and pack size | Look for an explicit ‘boneless’ label if needed, then check whether the fillets have skin and compare pack weights. | When serving portions with less picking through at the table, I look for clear information about bones and a pack size that suits the number of guests. Around 25% of consumers put this need first. |
Common mix-ups to avoid
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Confusing canned, smoked and raw frozen fillets
These products have different storage requirements and need different preparation. So if a recipe calls for a raw fillet to be cooked, don’t choose a product based only on the word ‘mackerel’.
Look for the frozen-food label and check the condition of the fish and the cooking instructions before you buy.
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Assuming a frozen fillet can be served raw
A product’s instructions may only recommend cooking. For fish eaten raw, the Anses recommends freezing it at −18 °C for at least seven days to protect against certain parasites. The word ‘frozen’ alone doesn’t tell you whether these conditions have been met.
If your recipe calls for raw or lightly cooked fish, check the precautions for that preparation rather than assuming it’s suitable because it’s frozen.
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Choosing a large pack without planning how to use it
The products featured here range from 500 or 600 g bags to a 3 kg case. The larger size needs more freezer space and some planning around your meal.
Compare the weight with the number of guests and the space available in your freezer. Once defrosted, follow the product’s instructions.
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Assuming ‘fillet’ means ‘boneless’
The word ‘fillet’ alone doesn’t confirm that a product is boneless. Pomona PassionFroid’s product information makes this clear, while you’ll need to check the details for the other fillets individually.
If this matters when serving, look for an explicit ‘boneless’ label on the product you choose.
Brands and ranges to know
These products illustrate different preparation methods and pack sizes; they’re not a ranking of the brands.
Picard
Frozen mackerel fillets with skin in a 600 g bag, described as suitable for cooking from frozen.
- Picard’s product information details several cooking methods and gives the species, Scomber scombrus, as well as the fishing areas.
- If boneless fillets are essential, check this on the product you’re buying rather than assuming it from the word ‘fillet’.
écomiam
Raw frozen mackerel fillets in a 500 g bag, to be defrosted before cooking according to the product information.
- écomiam’s product information states that the ingredients are 100% mackerel, gives the fishing area and recommends defrosting for 4 to 6 hours in the fridge.
- You’ll need to plan the meal in advance and keep the fillets chilled while they defrost.
Pomona PassionFroid
A trade product: frozen mackerel fillets with skin, labelled boneless, in a 3 kg case.
- Pomona PassionFroid’s product information specifies that the fillets are boneless, gives the species as Scomber scombrus and recommends storage at −18 °C.
- The 3 kg pack and wholesale-only sales channel are worth considering for an occasional meal at home.
Related Joybuy products
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Can I serve frozen mackerel fillets as sashimi?
The fact that they’re labelled as frozen isn’t enough to decide whether to serve them raw. For fish eaten raw, the Anses recommends freezing it at −18 °C for at least seven days to destroy certain parasites. You should also take particular care if serving raw fish to anyone who is sensitive to it.
Why does mackerel need to be kept cold?
Poor storage can encourage histamine to form in mackerel. According to the Anses, neither cooking nor freezing destroys histamine that has already formed. Follow the storage instructions and don’t leave defrosted fillets at room temperature.
Which details should I compare on the label?
For unprocessed fishery products in France, the DGCCRF lists details including the commercial name, scientific name, production method, fishing area, fishing gear category and whether the product has been defrosted. When choosing your fillets, also check the weight, whether they have skin or bones, and the product-specific preparation instructions.
Can I refreeze fillets after defrosting them?
Picard’s product information says never to refreeze a defrosted product. For other products, follow the instructions on the pack and defrost only the amount you need for your meal.