Do you know how long fresh salmon can stay in the fridge? Knowing how to store fresh, frozen, canned, thawed, smoked, or even marinated salmon can make all the difference in how safely you can enjoy it.
We’ve all been there. You buy that beautiful filet of fresh, bright red salmon with the best intentions of cooking it that night. Then something pops up and ruins your plans. When a day or two have passed, you may be wondering, “Can I still eat that beautiful fish? How long does salmon really last in the fridge?”
I love salmon for so many reasons. It tastes great baked, poached, grilled, fried, or any other way you can think of! Plus, it’s good for you—those omega-3 fatty acids? My whole body thanks me when I eat this fish. So, salmon doesn’t last as long as some other proteins. It’s important to know how long it can stay in the fridge without going bad, whether it’s fresh, thawed, cooked, canned, smoked, or even marinated.
There are different kinds of salmon that will stay fresh in the fridge for different amounts of time. [feast_advanced_jump_to].
I think that freshly cooked salmon is the best kind to eat. There’s nothing better about the taste. Raw or fresh salmon will last in the fridge for up to 2 days before starting to spoil. You should know that fresh salmon goes bad quickly and should be cooked or frozen within a couple of days of buying it.
To keep fresh salmon safe, make sure it’s tightly wrapped in plastic wrap or put it in a resealable plastic bag. This will keep it from coming into contact with air and getting contaminated.
Looking for a safe way to store that extra salmon? Cooked salmon can be kept in the fridge for up to three or four days. Let the cooked salmon cool down all the way before putting it in a container that won’t let air in or tightly wrapping it in aluminum foil or plastic wrap. Place it in the coldest part of the fridge to keep it as fresh as possible.
Salmon is one of the most popular and nutritious types of fish. It’s rich in protein, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, and various minerals. But, like any cooked food, salmon that has been left over won’t last forever in the fridge. Should you throw away salmon after 5 days, or can you still eat it?
The short answer is yes, cooked salmon should be safe to eat for up to five days if kept in the fridge the right way. However, the quality and taste will start to decline after 3-4 days. This is a full list of how long cooked salmon can be kept in the fridge and how to tell if it has gone bad:
How Long Does Cooked Salmon Last in the Fridge?
- Freshly cooked salmon: 3-4 days
- Cooked salmon leftovers: 3-4 days
- Purchased pre-cooked, vacuum-packed salmon: 5-7 days or according to package instructions
The USDA recommends consuming leftover cooked salmon within 3-4 days when refrigerated at 40°F or below. Cooked salmon can technically last up to 7 days if it has been handled properly but the taste, texture, and safety can decline after day 4 or 5.
It’s important to note that these timelines refer to plain cooked salmon If you’ve marinated the salmon or added sauces or vegetables, the leftovers will spoil faster within 2-3 days The other ingredients introduce more moisture and bacteria.
How to Store Leftover Cooked Salmon
Follow these tips for storing salmon in the fridge to make it last longer and stay fresh:
- Let cooked salmon cool to room temperature within 2 hours before refrigerating. Don’t leave it out longer than that.
- Store in airtight containers or resealable bags to prevent fridge odors from seeping in.
- Use shallow containers to allow the salmon to chill quickly in the fridge.
- Keep fridge temperature at 40°F or below.
- Place leftovers on a shelf rather than in the door where temperature fluctuates.
- Label the container with the preparation or use-by date.
- Avoid overcrowding the fridge, which reduces air circulation.
- Cooked salmon can also be frozen for 2-3 months in airtight packaging.
Proper cooling and storage prevents bacterial growth and contamination. Salmon should not be left at room temperature for more than 2 hours total before refrigerating.
Signs Cooked Salmon Has Spoiled
It’s important to rely on both sight and smell to determine if leftover cooked salmon is still safe and fresh to eat. Here are the signs that indicate spoiled salmon:
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Slimy texture – Fresh cooked salmon has a firm, flaky texture. It starts feeling slimy, mushy, or gelatinous as it spoils.
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Discoloration – The salmon flesh changes color from pink to gray, yellow, or brown.
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Dull, dry appearance – The fish dries out and looks dull rather than glistening.
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Strong, fishy odor – Fresh salmon has a mild scent. Foul odors indicate spoilage.
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Mold growth – You may see fuzzy mold growing on the surface.
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Disintegrating flesh – The salmon flakes start falling apart, almost liquefying.
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Off taste – Spoiled salmon tastes sour, bitter, or “off” instead of buttery and mild.
If your leftover salmon shows any of these signs after 5 days, it’s best to throw it out. Consuming spoiled fish can cause food poisoning.
How Long Is Smoked Salmon Good For?
Pre-packaged sliced smoked salmon typically lasts 5-7 days past the printed “use by” or “sell by” date on the package. Store unopened smoked salmon in the fridge. Once opened, it’s best to eat within 5 days.
For homemade hot-smoked salmon, the USDA recommends 3-4 days max when kept refrigerated in 40°F or less. Discard any leftover smoked fish starting to smell or look slimy.
The preservatives and salt used to smoke the fish extend its shelf life slightly compared to cooked fresh salmon. But smoked salmon still has a limited fridge life and the same spoilage signs apply.
Can You Freeze Leftover Salmon?
Freezing is an excellent way to extend the shelf life of any cooked fish. Fresh cooked salmon can be frozen in airtight containers or bags for 2-3 months. For best quality, eat within 1-2 months.
To freeze salmon:
- Let cool completely first, then portion into freezer bags or containers leaving 1⁄2 inch headspace.
- Remove as much air as possible and seal tightly.
- Label with the date and contents.
- Freeze at 0°F or below.
- Once thawed in the fridge, eat within 3-4 days.
Thawing slowly in the fridge reduces risk of bacterial growth. Don’t leave salmon to thaw on the counter.
You can safely refreeze thawed salmon that was kept cold in the fridge and still has ice crystals. But the taste and texture quality will decline with each freeze-thaw cycle.
Can You Eat Refrigerated Salmon After 7 Days?
Technically yes, salmon can still be consumed up to 7 days past its cook date if it was handled properly at all times. But the safety and quality really start to decline after day 5 in the fridge.
Eating spoiled fish of any kind puts you at risk of foodborne illnesses. Salmonella, Listeria, Clostridium botulinum, Staphylococcus aureus, and other dangerous bacteria can grow in spoiled refrigerated fish.
Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramping, headache, and fever. In severe cases, food poisoning from fish can even be fatal. It’s simply not worth the risk.
For optimal freshness and taste, it’s best to eat refrigerated leftover salmon within 3-4 days and discard anything older than 5 days. If the cooked salmon has been frozen, then consume within 2-3 months for best quality.
How to Keep Salmon Fresh Longer
Here are some extra tips to extend the shelf life of cooked salmon:
- Portion salmon into smaller 3-4 ounce containers for quick chilling.
- Add lemon juice or vinegar which helps inhibit bacterial growth.
- Brine or marinate the raw salmon before cooking, which seasons the flesh.
- Cook salmon correctly to the ideal internal temperature (145°F) to reduce bacterial growth.
- Purchase high-quality fresh salmon from reputable sellers.
- Rotate cooked salmon to the front of the fridge and use within recommended time.
Proper handling and storage are key to keeping cooked salmon fresh and avoiding waste. Now that you know the fridge life of salmon, you can enjoy tasty leftover fish without having to worry about safety or quality. Just remember to rely on your senses to check for signs of spoilage after day 5. Stay healthy and happy meal prepping!
Thawed Or Defrosted Salmon
Salmon that has been frozen can be safely kept in the fridge for up to two days before it is cooked or eaten. When the salmon is thawing, you should put it in a shallow dish or tray to catch any drips and keep it from getting dirty from other foods in the fridge.
Smoked salmon is a bit easier to cook than fresh salmon, but it’s still one of my favorite breakfast foods and goes well with scrambled eggs. Smoked salmon undergoes a curing and smoking process, which extends its shelf life compared to fresh salmon. Unopened packages of smoked salmon can be safely stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Once it’s opened, wrap the rest of the smoked salmon tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap and eat it within three to four days for the best taste and quality.
If you have marinated salmon, the storage time will depend on the ingredients used in the marinade. Generally, marinated salmon can be safely stored in the refrigerator for up to two to three days. However, its best to consume it as soon as possible to enjoy the flavors at their peak. If you’re not sure about the ingredients or how long the meat was marinated, it’s best to stick to the shorter storage time to make sure it doesn’t go bad.
I love using canned salmon for quick and easy meals. There are many ways to use it, like in salads, salmon cakes, and sandwiches. It’s easy to keep on hand. And, canned salmon has a much longer shelf life compared to fresh salmon. Unopened canned salmon can last for 6 years and still taste good. After that, while the salmon may be safe to eat, the quality will start to diminish.
If you’ve opened your canned salmon, it should last for 1-2 days in the refrigerator. Make sure to move the salmon from the can to a container that won’t let air in. Never put opened canned goods back in their original cans. When the can is opened, more air can get in and cause the tin from the can to move to the contents of the can.
Besides the basic types of salmon listed above, here are some answers to some other common questions about how to store salmon:
Two things will give it away – how it looks, and how it smells. Fresh salmon has a beautiful reddish pink color, appears shiny and has a mild scent. Fresh salmon should also be firm and will bounce back when pressed. Salmon that is past its prime, on the other hand, will look a little gray and may even have a white film on it. It will also smell very fishy, or may even smell sour. If your salmon looks or smells like this, it’s probably a good idea to toss it.
Wrap the salmon tightly in plastic wrap, then add a layer of aluminum foil. Failure to do this can leave the salmon exposed to air and can cause it to spoil. The salmon should be kept in the coldest part of the fridge. This could be in the back or the bottom drawer. Do not eat salmon that has been stored in the fridge for more than 2 days. Freeze salmon if you are not going to eat it within the recommended time frame. Thaw frozen salmon properly before cooking it.
Salmon that has been frozen will stay fresh for up to three months, but the quality will get worse over time. To freeze salmon, wrap it tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap and then put it in a bag or that can go in the freezer. Be sure to label the bag with the date you froze the salmon. You could also have your salmon vacuum-sealed, which would let you freeze it for up to eight months. When you are ready to thaw frozen salmon, place it in the refrigerator overnight. You can also thaw salmon in the microwave, but it is essential to cook it immediately after thawing. Note that thawed salmon should not be refrozen.
If the salmon was properly thawed, you can freeze it again as long as it hasn’t gone bad (see the note above for how to tell if your salmon has gone bad) and is safely repackaged. So there you have it. This is a simple guide to how long you can safely store salmon in the fridge and some good ideas on how to do it.
How Long Can Thawed Salmon Stay In The Fridge? ANSWERED
FAQ
Can I eat cooked salmon after 5 days in fridge?
Can you eat 6 day old salmon?
How can you tell if cooked salmon is spoiled?
Can you eat salmon 5 days out of date?
How long can you eat cooked salmon after cooking?
For example, write “blackened salmon” so you know that the leftovers might be best in a cajun pasta. Refrigerate the salmon for up to 3 days. Refer to the date you wrote on the container of cooked salmon and eat it within 3 days or throw it away.
Is fresh salmon safe to eat?
Yes, salmon is a source of omega 3, the fatty acid is responsible for acting in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, making the heart strong and healthy. Just be careful to analyze the supplier to make sure it doesn’t have any contamination.
How long can you keep leftover cooked salmon?
Leftover cooked salmon can be safely stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days, according to the USDA. However, the quality may start to deteriorate after the first day. What are some creative ways to use leftover cooked salmon?
How long does cooked salmon last?
According to the USDA, cooked salmon can be safely stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. However, it is important to note that the quality of the salmon may start to deteriorate after the first day. To extend its shelf life, you can also freeze the cooked salmon, and it can last for up to 2 months.