Frozen mackerel is one of the most useful fish in an African kitchen — oily enough to hold up in a rich stew, firm enough to grill, and easy to keep stocked in the freezer. If you're searching for where to buy it in the UK and which size makes sense for your household, here's what you need to know before you order.
What Is Frozen Mackerel, and Why Cook With It?
Mackerel is an oily fish with a strong, distinctive flavour that stands up well to pepper, onion and tomato — which is why it's a regular in Nigerian stew, grilled fish plates and Ghanaian light soup. Buying it frozen means it's caught and frozen fast, so it holds its quality until you're ready to cook, and you're not racing a use-by date the way you would with fresh fish from a counter.
What Size Should You Buy?
Our Frozen Mackerel Fish comes in four sizes, so the right one depends on how you're cooking:
- 3-4 pieces (£11.99): a household pack — enough for a family stew or a couple of grilling nights.
- 5kg (£32.99): good for a household that cooks fish weekly, or freezer-stocking ahead of a busy month.
- 10kg (£61.99): catering or large-family size.
- 20kg (£119.99): bulk — for events, churches or reselling. See our Trade Club for wholesale terms.
How to Cook Frozen Mackerel Safely
- Keep it frozen until you're ready to cook — don't refreeze once thawed.
- Defrost in the fridge overnight, not on the counter. If you're short on time, submerge the sealed pack in cold water.
- Clean and descale if needed, then season or marinate as you like — pepper, ginger, garlic and a squeeze of lime work well.
- Cook until it's piping hot all the way through: grill, fry, or drop it into a simmering stew for the last 10-15 minutes so it doesn't break apart.
For the general rules on handling frozen fish and meat safely in a UK kitchen, see our guide: Can You Cook Frozen Chicken? A UK Safety Guide — the same defrosting and reheating rules apply to fish.
What to Cook With Frozen Mackerel
Mackerel works in almost anything that takes a bold, oily fish. It's a good match for leafy vegetable soups — try it in our Gbure (Waterleaf) Soup recipe — or grilled whole with a pepper sauce on the side. It also holds up well in tomato-based stews without falling apart, unlike more delicate white fish.
Where to Buy Frozen Mackerel in the UK
3SIEE Foods delivers frozen mackerel UK-wide from Bedford, with the sizes above always in stock. Browse the full range in our Frozen Meat, Fish & Poultry collection, where you'll also find other soup and stew fish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is frozen mackerel as good as fresh?
For stews, soups and grilling, yes — freezing locks in quality soon after catch, and most home cooking (stewing, frying, grilling) doesn't need fresh-off-the-boat fish. The difference matters more for dishes eaten raw, which frozen mackerel from us isn't intended for.
How long does frozen mackerel keep?
Keep it frozen and it will hold well for months — check the pack for the exact date. Once defrosted, cook it within 24 hours and don't refreeze it raw.
What's the best way to defrost mackerel quickly?
Submerge the sealed pack in cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes. Avoid hot water or leaving it out at room temperature, both of which let bacteria grow before the fish is fully thawed.
Can I buy frozen mackerel in bulk for events or catering?
Yes — the 10kg and 20kg packs are built for that, and our Trade Club has terms for caterers, churches and restaurants ordering regularly.
Ready to stock up? Shop Frozen Mackerel Fish, or browse the full Frozen Meat, Fish & Poultry range for UK-wide delivery.
