The aim of this study was to evaluate a rapid, low-cost and easy-to-use system of impedance spectroscopy with two different electrodes (double electrode (DE) and arrowhead (AH)) to distinguish between fresh and frozen-thawed sea bream. Samples of fresh sea bream and those submitted to freezing at − 18 °C and to 2 freezing cycles, kept in frozen storage for different periods of time, were evaluated. The freezing process did not affect moisture, pH, TVB-N, or the microbial quality. However, it provoked a slight degradation of IMP, a slight increase in the TBA index and a decrease of the WHC and several textural parameters. All these changes were detected with the impedance spectroscopy using the DE, which could differentiate fresh sea bream from frozen-thawed samples. However, the AH could not discriminate between the different types of samples. The frozen storage time (15, 30 or 60 days) did not have any effect on the microbial and physico-chemical parameters evaluated, or on the electrical properties of the muscle.