Lox is another name for Salmon meat that is cured in sugar rub and salt or brine. The best lox is cut out from the belly part of the salmon since it is the fattiest and richest part of the fish. It is much like smoked salmon. It is among the most perishable types of meat you can purchase. However, when you cook and smoke salmon, the timeline will extend significantly.
The main reason why it will last longer is that it will take more time to oxidize. When you place smoked salmon in a freezer or fridge, it will last longer compared to fresh and uncooked salmon.
Regardless, you will find yourself with more salmon than you can eat. What would you think to do? We’ve all been there. The next logical step would be to place it in a freezer, trying to preserve it in a fresh state for a long period. So, can you freeze lox? Stick around to find out.
Freezing Lox
Can lox be frozen? The answer is yes. You can freeze lox and keep it frozen for a period of close to six months. If you keep it in the freezer for longer than six months, it is possible that its texture and flavor will disappear, which means that you will no longer enjoy it, as you would like. Doesn’t sound good, does it?
The process of freezing lox only has a few steps. If you follow the steps properly, you will freeze it in the right way while maintaining its texture and flavor. If you have not removed the lox from the packet it comes in, you should simply place it in the freezer and it will have protection from the original, fully sealed packet.
In case you have already removed it from the original packet, you will need to get a freezer-safe bag or a freezer-safe container.
When you decide to use a freezer bag, make sure that you place the lox inside carefully, after which you should remove all the air from the bag. Seal the bag tightly so that no excess air will come in. After sealing the bag tight, you can place it in the freezer. The freezer bag is undoubtedly the best option because you can place the bag in an upright position to save yourself some space or choose to lay it down flat.
If you go for the freezer-safe container, you need to place the lox in the container, after which you should close it tight with the lid. Ensure there is no excessive moisture inside the container. Moisture will become liquid, which will become ice crystals that will ruin the texture and taste of the lox.
A vacuum sealer is the best option you have to remove all the air and moisture that might be in the freezer bag before you put it in the freezer.
It is a good idea to separate lox into thinner and smaller slices before freezing. That separation will make the thawing process easier and you will not need to wait for the entire fish to defrost. It will take less time to defrost the lox.
You can simply wrap the smaller slices in layers of plastic and then wrap them using tin foil, after which you should place them in a freezer bag together.
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Freezing Lox a Second Time
Can I freeze lox more than once? Imagine this, you have frozen some slices of lox, after which you have thawed them. After enjoying some of it, you are left with some leftovers. It would be extremely tempting to freeze them again, right?
Well, we highly discourage freezing lox a second time. This rule is also applicable to all other types of food. The reason why we discourage this is that freezing lox, or any other food, more than once, will increase the chances of food poisoning. When you freeze and thaw food more than once, the bacteria will grow rapidly. Therefore, when you freeze once and thaw it, make sure you eat it all, or simply throw it out.
When you freeze the meat more than once, the quality will start deteriorating. The small water molecules that are inside the meat will become small and sharp pieces of ice, similar to small daggers. The cut the muscle strands inside the meat and repeating it will only destroy the meat’s integrity.
How Long Does Lox Last?
Most people are cautious about storing and eating their meat before it expires. When trying to consider how long lox will remain good, you will have to think about three scenarios.
The first scenario is when the package is not opened. If you have purchased lox and not removed it from the packet, it should stay good in a fridge for a maximum of two months. However, you should make sure that the packaging is sealed tightly and is not opened or torn.
The second scenario is when it is opened. When you open a packet of lox, you have to consume it before the three days are over. It will depend on the type of fridge you are using to store the lox. It is recommended that you use a cold fridge. If it stays longer than three days, do not eat it.
If you are freezing lox, it should be good for a maximum of six months, whether it is opened or unopened. Ensure that you follow the guidelines above so that you can store it the right way.
How Do You Defrost Frozen Lox?
The best way to defrost frozen lox is in the refrigerator. Place the frozen fish in a sealed plastic bag and allow it to thaw slowly overnight.
If you do not have time for this method, use cold water to defrost your lox. Place the frozen fish on a plate or in a bowl, cover it with cold water and change the water every 30 minutes until the lox is completely thawed.
Conclusion
How long does lox stay good? We have established that you can preserve your lox’s texture and flavor for a maximum of six months, as long as you follow the guidelines provided in the right manner. You should also consider using a vacuum sealer because it removes all moisture and air from the bag before you store the lox in the freezer.
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