Discussion Board
How Long can I keep vacuum packed tuna frozen ?
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 09/18/2011 07:05 PM
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SoCal
Joined: 02/18/2007
Posts: 1075
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How Long can I keep vacuum packed tuna frozen ?
I had a great trip and at landing I had the processor put up a bunch of yellowfin in vacuum packed hard frozen condition.
It is now 11 months later and I still have some at the bottom of the freezer.
I grilled two steaks tonight, but out of uncertainty I cooked them all "well-done" rather than seared and pink as I prefer .... still tasted good with a touch of wasabi sauce
Am I too cautious?
Should I cook the rest "well done " and then make tuna salad for sandwiches.
I don't want to throw away good fish
Any suggestions ?
Thanks
Tanstaafl
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09/18/2011 07:37 PM
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Baja Dreamer
Moderator
Hunting Reports / Shooting Sports
Joined: 02/09/2004
Posts: 16164
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re: How Long can I keep vacuum packed tuna frozen ?
SoCal wrote:
I had a great trip and at landing I had the processor put up a bunch of yellowfin in vacuum packed hard frozen condition.
It is now 11 months later and I still have some at the bottom of the freezer.
I grilled two steaks tonight, but out of uncertainty I cooked them all "well-done" rather than seared and pink as I prefer .... still tasted good with a touch of wasabi sauce
Am I too cautious?
Should I cook the rest "well done " and then make tuna salad for sandwiches.
I don't want to throw away good fish
Any suggestions ?
Thanks
Yes, you're being too cautious.
Fish that has been vacum sealed and still has the seal intact is perfectly OK. When I was still cutting al my own fish, I'd simply make the tuna steaks thicker. That way If I had any freezer burn I could simply trim it off.
Of course fish that has been in the freezer will never taste as good as fresh caught, but it is perfectly safe to eat and we even eat it as sashimi, sushi, and ceviche. Cooking it "well-done" gains you nothing but overcooked fish. 
FISH AND HUNT HARD!
Chris
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09/18/2011 07:38 PM
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11albacore
Joined: 10/16/2008
Posts: 194
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re: How Long can I keep vacuum packed tuna frozen ?
Speaking for myself, I have YFT over 24 months and I am still eating it raw with great results. I am thawing it slowly though. Have also sliced and flash cooked it for fish tacos.
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09/18/2011 08:19 PM
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mogandave
Joined: 04/19/2007
Posts: 2821
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re: How Long can I keep vacuum packed tuna frozen ?
I agree, I think it will keep almost indefinably if packed right, and it is pretty easy to see any bad spots, and you can just cut those off.
When I was cutting my own, I’d always put enough water in the bags to get all the air out prior to freezing.
“Every crowd has a silver lining"
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09/18/2011 09:33 PM
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Baja Dreamer
Moderator
Hunting Reports / Shooting Sports
Joined: 02/09/2004
Posts: 16164
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re: How Long can I keep vacuum packed tuna frozen ?
mogandave wrote:
I agree, I think it will keep almost indefinably if packed right, and it is pretty easy to see any bad spots, and you can just cut those off.
When I was cutting my own, I’d always put enough water in the bags to get all the air out prior to freezing.
I've had a vacum sealer for a llloooooonngg time. 
FISH AND HUNT HARD!
Chris
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09/18/2011 09:34 PM
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sactotuna
Joined: 03/30/2007
Posts: 1327
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re: How Long can I keep vacuum packed tuna frozen ?
It's still good, no need to do anything different.
BUT, if you're going to make tuna for sandwiches, try poaching it in beer, drain, cool, mix and refrigerate. Oh my!
Human beings, who are unique in their ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their disinclination to do so.
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09/19/2011 05:25 AM
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Brad_G
Joined: 02/14/2007
Posts: 7007
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re: How Long can I keep vacuum packed tuna frozen ?
I've had the same experience as the others; that long storage can still be wholesome and just cut away any freezer burned areas. If your freezer is an old fashioned manual defrost type rather than a frost free type, your fish should be in even better condition--the manual defrost doesn't have the constant on/off cycling of the frost free type.
And smoked tuna also makes a killer tuna salad.
Brad_G
Common Sense is not Common Enough
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09/21/2011 09:50 PM
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SoCal
Joined: 02/18/2007
Posts: 1075
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re: How Long can I keep vacuum packed tuna frozen ?
Thank you all!!
I checked my freezer temperature and it was at 1 degree F
I will try the beer poaching -- sounds very good!
I just got a Bradley digital 4 shelf smoker -- going to fire it up this weekend.
THANKS GUYS !!!!!!
Tanstaafl
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