Markets and store shelves today offer a wide range of different types of fish. Many of us like to include herring in our diet, and this is no coincidence. According to experts, its use has a positive effect on the human body. Fish has a number of valuable nutritional properties, and the product also contains fatty acids and vitamins. Frequent consumption of herring dishes helps to increase mental activity and performance, strengthens the immune system, as well as the cardiovascular system.
Before preparing such dishes, it is very important to familiarize yourself with the rules for choosing fish, as well as study information on how to store salted or fresh herring in the home refrigerator correctly. Find out a few simple ways to help your product not spoil over a long period of time.
Choosing fresh and salted herring
Every housewife will definitely benefit from advice on how to choose the highest quality product and what you should pay special attention to when buying fish.
- Fresh herring is covered with silvery scales. There should be no damage, “rust” or yellowish spots on its surface.
- Before purchasing, lightly press on the belly of the fish. If it is elastic and quickly takes its original shape, feel free to choose such a carcass.
- Look under the gills. In freshly caught herring they are bright red in color and tightly covered.
- Study the fish's eyes. They are transparent and slightly bulging - everything is fine.
- Visually inspect the carcass. A high-quality specimen has a wide back, rounded sides, and also has a neutral fishy smell.
- Choose uncut herring. Refuse to buy a product without a head, as there is a high risk of its low quality.
The choice of salted fish should be approached no less responsibly. Consuming an expired or spoiled product can have a negative impact on human health and cause severe poisoning. When purchasing, adhere to the following rules:
- Examine the skin of the herring. The presence of “rusty” traces is a clear sign that the goods have been stale. This indicates the beginning of oxidative processes that can worsen the taste of the product.
- The gills of a salted fish should have a burgundy tint. If you press them lightly with your finger and blood comes out, it is better to refuse to buy such a carcass.
- The most delicious salted herring is elastic, with no mechanical damage on the surface of the scales.
- A sure sign of under-salted herring is red eyes. It is necessary to keep it in brine for a little longer, and only then eat it.
- Pay attention to the solution in which the fish is stored. If it is transparent, has no unpleasant odor, and is light-colored, the product was recently manufactured.
Advice: opt for a medium-sized carcass. Large specimens may contain heavy metals accumulated in seawater.
How long can herring be stored under a fur coat?
Herring under a fur coat is a favorite delicacy for any holiday. How long does herring “under a fur coat” last in the refrigerator? When storing it, you need to think about the shelf life of each of the ingredients included in the dish. Eggs spoil quite quickly. The same applies to mayonnaise.
Herring under a Fur Coat
According to experts, herring under a fur coat can be stored in the refrigerator for half a day. Since the period is usually given with some margin, we can talk about two days of preserving salted fish under a fur coat in the refrigerator.
Storing fresh herring
Absolutely any fish is a perishable product, and herring, of course, is no exception. You can only keep it out of the cold for 3 hours, so you need to clean the product as soon as possible after purchase, and then choose a storage method. The procedure itself includes several simple steps described below.
Preparation
If you do not plan to cook herring dishes in the next few hours, then the product should be rinsed well under running water and dried.
- We cut off the head and remove the entrails (caviar, milt, etc.), since all this creates excellent conditions for the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria.
- We cut the fish along the ridge and get rid of the bones. Remember: during processing it is desirable to maintain the integrity of the skin. It serves as a guarantee of excellent taste and quality of the product.
- Next, cut the herring into portions and place in a cool place.
How long can fresh fish last in the refrigerator?
Before putting the herring in the refrigerator, it must be packed in plastic or foil, this way you can increase the shelf life of the fish. It is better to keep the product at a temperature of about +2-5°C for no more than two days.
Also, do not place open herring on the shelf next to other provisions, so that the latter does not absorb an unpleasant aroma and spoil.
Important: It is not recommended to store fillets and whole fish carcasses together. The best option would be to package them in glass or plastic containers.
Freezing times and methods
Often, due to the rush before some important event, many housewives are unable to prepare all the planned dishes at once. Most people try to purchase food in advance, including fish, and thereby make their task easier. Therefore, the question of how long you can store frozen herring in the refrigerator is always relevant. If your freezer is large enough, then feel free to use this method of preparation. Don't forget that cold allows fish to stay fresh for 6 months.
The herring, previously cut and dried, is cut into small portions or strips. Next, there are several storage options. All you have to do is choose the one that is convenient for you:
- In a container. Pieces of fish are laid in layers, poured with vegetable oil. The container is tightly closed and frozen.
- In polyethylene. The herring is wrapped in a bag, creating a kind of “roll”. The slices are laid out inside in rows.
In brine
Salted herring can also be stored in a special solution. In this form it will not deteriorate for 3-4 weeks. To do this, you can use brine from the factory packaging, or quickly prepare it in your kitchen.
Preparation
It is best to clean the fish first by cutting off the head, tail and removing the entrails. Next, we get rid of the small bones and spine, or you can salt the whole fish.
To get a weak saline solution, you will need to take:
- table salt - about 80 g;
- water – 1 liter.
The liquid must be brought to a boil over low heat, and then cooled - it should be at room temperature. Next, you need to pour the resulting brine over the fish so that it completely covers the pieces.
How long can salted herring be stored in the refrigerator in different ways?
Sliced portions of fish should be carefully placed in plastic containers and filled to the top with brine so that it covers the pieces. Next, you need to close the containers with lids and put them on the refrigerator shelf at a temperature of +3°C. The shelf life of such a product will be 20-25 days. Tightness in the process is very important, otherwise the delicacy will begin to weather, turn yellow and rapidly lose its beneficial qualities. Storage can be done in a cellar or basement, but then the shelf life will be reduced to 10 days.
If the herring was purchased in ready-made brine, then its shelf life in the original container will be as follows:
| container type | shelf life | refrigerator temperature |
| tin container | 4 months | no higher than +5°С |
| plastic container | 3 months | no higher than +5°С |
| vacuum packaging | 1 month | no higher than +5°С |
This is interesting: the degree of salinity of the fish directly depends on how long it remains in the solution. Therefore, lovers of lightly salted herring are recommended to eat it within 1 week.
In beer filling
Salted herring is perfectly stored in a mixture of beer and spices. After using this method, the fish will not become too salty, but will acquire a more pleasant piquant taste.
Preparation
To prepare this solution you will need:
- a bottle of any beer;
- bay leaf – 2 pcs.;
- black peppercorns – 10 pcs.
Boil the intoxicating drink in an enamel saucepan, add bay leaves and spices to it. Next, remove the liquid from the heat and wait until it cools completely.
Time and ways to save fish in beer in the refrigerator
Carefully cut the salted herring into portions and place in a glass container with a lid. Fill the product with beer and store it in the refrigerator at a temperature of +2-3°C. This recipe allows you to enjoy the herring for about 2 weeks.
In the marinade
You can prepare a simple marinade for herring and get a tasty and satisfying dish. There are many recipes, find out the simplest one.
Preparation
You will need:
- lightly salted herring – 2 carcasses;
- apple cider vinegar – 1 tbsp;
- sugar – 1 tbsp;
- onions – 1 pc.;
- vegetable oil – 2 tbsp;
- bay leaf – 3 pcs.;
- allspice - to taste;
- universal seasoning - to taste.
Separate the pre-washed herring and cut into pieces about 3 cm wide. Place the fish in layers in a glass jar, sprinkling each with onion rings and universal seasoning. Next, add pepper, bay, vinegar, vegetable oil and cooled boiled water. Lightly press the pieces with a press, sprinkle with sugar, close the container with a lid and shake gently.
How long can marinated fish stay in the refrigerator?
After 3-4 hours, the fish will be marinated and will be completely ready to eat. It is allowed to keep herring in this form in the refrigerator for no more than 4-5 days at a temperature of +5°C.
Beer pour
Gourmets can try another interesting way to store spicy and aromatic herring in the refrigerator at a temperature no higher than 5 °C. For this, a beer-based marinade is prepared. The result of using this method is a savory dish with a long shelf life - up to 14 days.
Ingredients:
- 0.5 l of beer;
- a few black peppercorns (to taste);
- one laurel leaf;
- a pinch of coriander, which goes great with fish dishes.
Pour beer into an enamel pan and bring to a boil. Add all the spices to taste and let the marinade cool. Pour the cold dressing over the prepared, cleaned fish, placed in a glass container with a tight-fitting lid. Transfer to the refrigerator for storage.
Storing salted herring in the freezer
Like fresh fish, this fish is perfectly stored in the freezer. To do this, it must first be washed, gutted and placed in special frost-resistant containers. This storage of salted herring has its advantages:
- the product can remain fresh for about six months without losing its beneficial properties;
- you always have a ready-made snack at hand, which you just need to defrost;
- the fish will not take up space on the refrigerator shelf.
This method can be useful if you want to prepare a large amount of herring. The product can be stored either entirely in vacuum packaging or in polyethylene with the addition of a small amount of brine. The fish can remain fresh for six months, the main thing is to prevent the liquid from freezing out of the herring. To do this, you need to monitor the condition of the container: it must be tightly closed.
Important: the process of defrosting herring should occur naturally at room temperature. Then the fish will be completely preserved, and the taste will not differ from a freshly salted product.
Now you know everything about how to keep herring in the refrigerator longer using a few simple methods. All that remains is to choose the most convenient one and enjoy the taste of this healthy fish without fear for your health. Feel free to use our tips so that your table is full of only the most delicious and high-quality products.
We use oil for storage
If you bought canned herring in oil in a store, it can be stored for 2 months before opening the jar. After uncorking, such fish should be eaten within the next 2 days.
Herring fillet
You can make your own oil composition for storing fish. Preparing the herring involves cleaning it from the intestines and cutting it into small pieces. Then they are placed in a glass container and vegetable oil is poured into it. The jar is closed with a tight-fitting lid. The herring will remain in this state for up to 96 hours.
How to Preserve Fresh Fish
Fresh herring can be stored in the refrigerator for no longer than 2 days in closed packaging (jar, container or bag). The fish can be frozen, but be sure to remove the giblets before doing so.
To ensure that it retains its elasticity and taste, do not allow it to defrost or defrost repeatedly under hot water or in the microwave. It is better to keep fresh fish in the refrigerator for 5-6 hours, and then cook it in any way.
Frozen herring can be stored for up to 6 months.
The presence of eggs, onions and mayonnaise does not allow herring to be stored “under a fur coat” for more than 48 hours
In the marinade
This method allows you not only to preserve the product for a longer period, but also to prepare a complete, tasty dish of salted herring. The fish needs to be cleaned, cut into portions and placed in a jar.
The marinade is prepared from mayonnaise, mustard, herbs and onions. Adjust the proportions to your taste. To preserve the product better, add a little vinegar to the sauce. Pour the resulting marinade over the fish and pack well.
Should be stored in the refrigerator for no more than 4 days.
How to choose a good herring
In order for the product to be stored as long as possible, it must initially be of high quality and first freshness. You need to choose fish based on the following criteria:
- The skin is silver-colored, shiny, without damage or “rusty” spots;
- The consistency is elastic; when pressed with a finger, the carcass should take its original shape;
- The eyes are convex, light, not cloudy; lightly salted fish have red eyes;
- The gills are dense, without damage or signs of deterioration, dark red in color;
- The shape of the carcass is the most delicious with rounded sides and a wide back;
- The smell is fishy, pronounced.
Good quality herring will better retain its beneficial properties and be tastier. It can be served as a separate dish, appetizer or in salads.
As a fish lover, we recommend that you also read other information on storing products that go with fish. It will be useful, for example, to find out how long you can store rolls in the refrigerator, so as not to harm yourself with a stale product.
Prepare for storage
If you have a large freezer, then you can take a batch of good fish and make preparations. Moreover, speaking about whether it is possible to freeze salted herring, it is worth noting that fresh it also fits well in the freezer. To do this, you need to wash it, remove the insides, dry it and pack it in plastic or foil. If you plan to cook something within two days, you can simply place it in the refrigerator. But make sure that foods, especially butter, are kept away.
If you want the herring to last for several months, then you need to place it in the freezer. To do this, the fish is gutted, washed and dried, and packaged in bags for freezing. You can do it differently. First, place the fish on a tray and turn on the “super freeze” function, and then put it into bags. It is stored for a very long time and at any time you can get fish ready for cooking.
Which fish is suitable for long-term storage?
Herring is an incredibly healthy product that people have long consumed in a variety of ways. Fresh, salted, fried, it is characterized by a large number of useful substances. Unsaturated Omega-3 acids, vitamins B, A, D, E, PP. But, as often happens, at the moment when you really want to eat fish, it is not at hand. That’s why today we decided to find out whether it can be frozen. But before we get to that, let’s remember once again how to choose the right fish.
A good herring always has a shiny, intact, silver-colored skin. But rusty or yellow spots indicate improper storage; it is better to refrain from such a purchase. Check the carcass for elasticity. If you press a high-quality carcass, it will immediately straighten out. The eyes should be clear and slightly protruding. The gills are very informative. If they are red, then the fish is fresh. Speaking about whether it is possible to freeze salted herring, it should be noted that for storing for future use, it is best to choose fish caught in the winter. Such specimens will be the fattest and tastiest. If the fish has a wide back and rounded sides, then you should take more and freeze it for future use.
How to store herring in brine
The shelf life of herring in brine is 25 - 28 days, if stored in the refrigerator. First, the fish is divided into parts, placed in a container and filled with brine. You need to pour enough of it so that the entire carcass is in liquid. But if you use only the “native” brine that was poured into the package, it may not be enough.
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Making your own brine will take a little time. Salt is mixed with water (1:5), then you need to boil the resulting solution, let it cool, and pour it over the herring pieces.
There is an unusual way to prepare homemade beer-based brine. It is boiled with the addition of several bay leaves and black peppercorns, after which it is cooled and poured over the fish.
