How To Tell If Your Seafood is Fresh

Whether shopping for fresh seafood in-store or using a fresh seafood delivery service, it’s essential to determine whether your seafood is fresh. Many suppliers claim it’s fresh even if it’s been flash-frozen or frozen for multiple days—it’s a marketing tactic designed to sell. 

But you deserve better, and it’s pretty easy to learn to tell if your seafood is fresh. And once you know how, you’ll never fall for the marketing trap again. Instead, you’ll be rewarded with the freshest seafood, rich in taste, quality, and nutritional value. 

There are a few quick ways to tell if your fish is fresh: smell, bright and metallic-looking skin, clear eyes, firm scales, healthy-looking gills, and firm to the touch. Fresh seafood is, in every single way, better than frozen seafood. It tastes better, the texture is more consistent, and fresh seafood has the highest beneficial nutrients. You want the best, so let’s get into the specifics of each and explain the signs to steer clear of them. 

How to Determine Whether Seafood is Fresh or Not

When shopping for fresh seafood, look for several signs to ensure you’re getting fresh, never-frozen seafood that’s tasty and safe to consume. 

Appearance

• Bright, Clear Eyes: Fresh fish will have bright, clear eyes that appear full and bulging. Cloudy, sunken eyes indicate the fish has been sitting out too long. If the eyes look dull, the fish is likely past its prime.
• Shiny and Metallic Skin: Fresh fish should have shiny, metallic skin. This shine comes from the guanine crystals that reflect light, giving the fish a natural glow. As fish ages, the skin becomes dull, and the scales may begin to flake off. A dull or patchy appearance strongly indicates that the fish could be fresh.
• Firm and Resilient Flesh: When you press on the flesh of fresh seafood, it should be firm and spring back quickly. Soft or mushy flesh indicates that the seafood is past its peak. Fresh fish filets should also look glossy and slightly translucent. If the flesh has a chalky or discolored appearance, it’s best to avoid it.

Smell

• Mild, Ocean-Like Scent: Fresh fish should have a light, salty smell, similar to the fresh air by the sea. This is one of the easiest and most reliable ways to judge seafood quality.
• Avoid Strong, Fishy Odor: A strong, fishy smell indicates that the seafood has started to spoil. If you detect a pungent odor, it’s best to steer clear. This smell indicates the breakdown of fish proteins, which can pose a health risk if consumed.

Touch

• Moist and Slick Surface: Fresh seafood should feel moist and slightly slick. This natural slime layer helps protect the fish from drying out and acts as a barrier to bacteria. A fish that feels dry or sticky has likely been out of the water too long.
• No Sticky or Slimy Texture: If the seafood feels overly slimy or sticky, it’s a sign that it’s beginning to decay. Fresh fish should feel smooth and slippery but not overly slimy or sticky.

Suppose the seafood you’re looking at doesn’t pass all these quick checks. In that case, it’s probably best to choose another piece or shop somewhere else altogether.

Freshness Indicators for Different Types of Seafood

Different types of seafood have specific freshness indicators. Let’s break those down:

Fish Filets

When buying fresh fish filets such as salmon, tuna, and/or cod, pay attention to these areas:

• Gills: The gills of fresh fish should be bright red and moist. The fish is no longer fresh if the gills are brownish or dry. The gills are a great indicator because they are one of the first areas to show signs of aging.
• Scales: Fresh fish will have shiny, intact scales. The scales should be tightly attached to the body, and the skin should have a metallic sheen. If the scales are falling off or the fish looks dull, it’s a sign that it’s no longer fresh.

Shellfish

Shellfish like clams, mussels, and oysters have specific signs of freshness.

• Closed Shells: Like fresh Japanese scallops, fresh shellfish will have closed shells. If a shell is slightly open, tap it. If the shell closes, the shellfish is still alive and fresh. If the shell doesn’t close, avoid it; this is a sign that the shellfish is no longer alive and fresh.
• Movement in Live Shellfish: Movement is a crucial sign of freshness for live shellfish like lobsters and crabs. Fresh lobsters and crabs should show some movement, even if minimal. If the shellfish is entirely still, it may be dead and no longer safe to eat.

Frozen Seafood

While frozen seafood is technically not at all “fresh,” there are certain things you should look for when buying frozen seafood.

• No Ice Crystals: Frozen seafood should not have ice crystals on it. The presence of ice crystals can indicate that the seafood has been thawed and refrozen, which compromises its quality and flavor. Refreezing already thawed seafood will compromise the flavor and texture.
• Proper Packaging: Make sure the packaging is intact, with no signs of damage or air pockets. A bulging package is a red flag, as it can indicate that the seafood has been exposed to air and has begun to spoil.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is seafood considered fresh?

Raw seafood lasts 1-2 days in the fridge, while cooked seafood stays fresh for 3-4 days; frozen seafood remains safe indefinitely but loses quality over time. If you order seafood from Nordic Catch, it’s in an airtight seal that extends the fresh life to 6-7 days! 

What is the white stuff on seafood?

The white substance on cooked seafood is albumin, a protein that appears due to high heat

What does spoiled seafood smell like?

Spoiled seafood smells intensely fishy, sour, or like rotting meat.

Can you eat cooked shrimp after five (5) days?

Cooked shrimp is safe in the fridge for 3-4 days but not recommended after five days.