As someone who has lived in Spain for several years, I want to share with you today some frozen seafood products worth buying from major supermarkets. After all, fresh seafood is quite expensive, and you can’t always find the freshest options every day. Frozen seafood paella has become a daily choice for many people.
Mercadona Supermarket Recommended Products
As one of Spain’s most popular supermarket chains, Mercadona offers quite a rich selection in their frozen seafood section. I especially recommend their frozen large shrimp, usually imported from Ecuador, with firm meat texture and prices around 8-12 euros per kilogram. They also have frozen squid rings that are already processed - just defrost and cook directly, very convenient for busy weekdays.
El Corte Inglés Premium Choices
El Corte Inglés generally offers higher quality frozen seafood, with correspondingly higher prices. They carry imported Alaskan king crab legs which, while not cheap, taste absolutely fantastic. If you want to occasionally upgrade your meals, their seafood paella ingredient selection will satisfy you. Additionally, their frozen salmon fillets are excellent quality, perfect for sashimi or grilling.
| Supermarket | Recommended Product | Price Range | Features |
|---|
| Mercadona | Frozen Large Shrimp | 8-12€ | Great value, good meat quality |
| El Corte Inglés | King Crab Legs | 25-30€ | Excellent quality, perfect for special occasions |
| Carrefour | Mixed Seafood Pack | 6-10€ | Variety of types, convenient cooking |
| Lidl | Frozen Cod | 7-9€ | Great quality at low price, tender meat |
Highlights from Other Supermarkets
Carrefour’s frozen seafood mix packs are very practical, usually containing shrimp, squid, mussels, and other seafood varieties. One pack can make a hearty seafood paella. Although Lidl is a German brand, their frozen cod quality is excellent, and with seafood selection tips at affordable prices, they frequently have promotional offers.
Buying and Storage Tips
When buying frozen seafood, always check that packaging is intact - never buy items with damaged packaging. Once home, put them in the freezer immediately. For thawing, it’s best to move them to the refrigerator the night before to thaw slowly, maintaining optimal texture and nutrition. Also, never refreeze seafood after thawing - this is a basic food safety principle.
Spanish supermarkets offer quite a rich selection of frozen seafood. The key is choosing based on your budget and needs. I hope these recommendations help friends living in Spain, and feel free to share your own buying experiences!
