Can You Freeze Fish Pie?
Fish pie is one of those meals that’s almost made for the freezer. Whether you’ve made a big homemade fish pie for the family or picked up a supermarket one on offer, freezing it is a simple way to avoid food waste and have an easy meal ready for another day.
The good news is that both cooked and uncooked fish pie freeze well. As long as it’s cooled properly before freezing and wrapped well, you’ll barely notice any difference once it’s reheated.
Can You Freeze Fish Pie?
Yes, you can freeze fish pie.
Both cooked and uncooked fish pie freeze well, and you can freeze either a whole family-sized pie or individual portions.
Personally, I prefer freezing individual servings. They defrost much more quickly and make an easy lunch or dinner when I don’t feel like cooking.
For the best quality, freeze fish pie as soon as it’s completely cooled rather than leaving it sitting in the fridge for several days first.
Does Fish Pie Freeze Well?
Yes. Fish pie is one of the best homemade meals to freeze.
The mashed potato topping freezes particularly well, while the creamy fish filling holds up nicely too. You may notice a slight change in texture if the sauce contains lots of cream, but for most recipes the difference is minimal.
How To Freeze Fish Pie
Freezing fish pie is nice and straightforward.
- Allow the fish pie to cool completely after cooking or assembling.
- Divide it into portions if you don’t want to thaw the whole pie at once.
- Wrap the dish well with cling film and foil, or transfer portions to airtight freezer-safe containers.
- Label and date everything before placing it in the freezer.
Because fish has quite a strong smell, I usually make sure fish pie is wrapped particularly well. Double wrapping helps prevent freezer burn and stops any odours escaping into the freezer.
How Long Can You Freeze Fish Pie?
For the best quality, use frozen fish pie within 3 months.
It will usually remain safe after this if it has stayed continuously frozen, but the texture of both the fish and mashed potato may gradually begin to deteriorate.
How Long Does Fish Pie Last In The Fridge?
Cooked fish pie will usually keep for 2-3 days in the fridge when covered or stored in an airtight container.
If you don’t think you’ll eat it within that time, freezing it while it’s still fresh is the better option.
How To Defrost Fish Pie
The safest and easiest way to defrost fish pie is overnight in the fridge.
A large family-sized pie may need a little longer, so allow plenty of time if you’re feeding several people. Individual portions usually thaw much more quickly.
How To Reheat Fish Pie
If the fish pie was cooked before freezing, simply reheat it until piping hot all the way through.
Individual portions reheat well in the microwave, while whole pies are usually better in the oven.
I sometimes loosely cover the top with foil for the first part of reheating to stop the mashed potato browning too quickly before the filling is hot.
Always make sure the centre reaches 75°C for at least 30 seconds (or 80°C for 6 seconds) before serving.
Can You Cook Fish Pie From Frozen?
Yes, although it will take longer than cooking from thawed.
Cook the pie in the oven until the centre is piping hot. If the topping starts browning too quickly, simply cover it with foil until the middle has heated through.
If you’re short on time, individual portions can be partly heated in the microwave before finishing in the oven to crisp up the topping.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Freeze Cooked Fish Pie?
Yes. Cooked fish pie freezes extremely well and is one of my favourite make-ahead meals.
Can You Freeze Uncooked Fish Pie?
Yes.
Many people assemble the pie, freeze it before baking and cook it another day. Just make sure both the filling and mashed potato have cooled before freezing.
Can You Freeze Homemade Fish Pie?
Absolutely.
In fact, homemade fish pie is one of those dishes I deliberately make in a bigger batch because it freezes so successfully.
Can You Freeze Shop-Bought Fish Pie?
Yes, provided it hasn’t already been frozen and thawed.
If you’re unsure, check the packaging, as most supermarkets state whether their fish pies are suitable for home freezing.
Ideally, freeze it on the day you buy it.
Can You Freeze Charlie Bigham Fish Pie?
Yes. Charlie Bigham fish pies can usually be frozen, although it’s always worth checking the packaging for the manufacturer’s latest guidance.
Can You Freeze Fish Pie With Mashed Potato?
Yes.
Mashed potato freezes really well, making fish pie one of the easiest freezer meals to prepare ahead.
Can You Freeze Fish Pie With Hard-Boiled Egg?
You can, although the egg whites can become slightly rubbery after freezing.
If I’m making fish pie specifically for the freezer, I’d usually leave the eggs out and add freshly cooked ones after reheating if I wanted them.
Can You Freeze Fish Pie With Prawns?
Usually, yes.
If the prawns were fresh before cooking, freezing the finished pie isn’t normally a problem.
If the prawns had already been cooked and frozen before making the pie, I’d personally avoid freezing them again. Seafood is one area where I tend to be a little more cautious.
Can You Freeze Fish Pie Made With Frozen Fish?
Yes, provided the fish was raw before you made the pie.
If the fish had already been cooked before freezing, it’s generally best not to freeze and reheat it again.
Can You Freeze Fish Pie Mix?
Yes.
You can freeze just the fish filling if you prefer, then make fresh mashed potato when you’re ready to serve it.
I quite like doing this because freshly made mash gives the finished pie a lovely texture.
How Many Times Can You Freeze Fish Pie?
Ideally, only once.
Repeated freezing and thawing gradually affects both the quality and, potentially, the safety of the food.
My Top Tips For Freezing Fish Pie
- Freeze individual portions if possible—they thaw much more quickly and make easy weeknight meals.
- Wrap fish pie really well to prevent freezer burn and stop fish smells transferring to other foods.
- Freeze leftovers as soon as they’ve cooled rather than leaving them in the fridge for several days.
- Label portions clearly so you know when they were frozen.
Final Thoughts
Fish pie is one of the easiest comfort foods to freeze. Whether you’ve cooked too much for dinner or you’re batch cooking for busy weeks ahead, freezing it is a simple way to save both time and money while cutting down on food waste.
I nearly always freeze mine in individual portions. It’s so handy being able to pull one out of the freezer for a quick lunch or an easy dinner when I don’t fancy cooking from scratch.
Looking for more ways to make the most of your freezer?
Browse our Can You Freeze It? hub for hundreds of freezing guides covering everything from seafood and meat to dairy products, fruit and leftovers.
