A lot of people ask us if they can freeze smoked salmon. The answer is yes, but only sometimes. It depends on the smoked salmon, really. Ok, so perhaps the answer isn’t so simple after all. But if you follow this guidance, you’ll know for sure whether smoked salmon is suitable for freezing.
It’s always handy to have smoked salmon in the freezer. Smaller packs defrost quickly, which is great if you have guests over or suddenly want smoked salmon.
Salmon that has been smoked tastes great and can be used in many different dishes, such as bagels, eggs Benedict, pasta, salads, and canapés. Its rich, smokey flavor pairs beautifully with creamy and citrusy flavors. However, smoked salmon is a perishable product with a relatively short shelf life. What’s the best way to keep it fresh longer and eat it for longer? A lot of people want to know if freezing smoked salmon makes it go bad.
The short answer is no – freezing does not inherently ruin smoked salmon or compromise its quality and taste. However there are right and wrong ways to freeze smoked salmon. Follow these best practices, and frozen smoked salmon can deliver all the same silky texture and robust flavor as fresh for up to 3 months.
How to Freeze Smoked Salmon to Maintain Quality
Freezing smoked salmon correctly involves a few key steps
Start with High Quality Fresh Smoked Salmon
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Pick smoked salmon that has been sliced as recently as possible and preferably from a reputable smokehouse or fish market. Supermarket smoked salmon may be less fresh.
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Make sure the smoked salmon has been dry cured, not wet brined. Dry curing gives it the right texture to freeze well.
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Check the smoked salmon. It should be shiny and firm, with no dry spots around the edges.
Portion and Wrap Tightly
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Cut the salmon into usable portions if freezing a whole fillet. Freezing in portions makes for easy defrosting.
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Wrap the salmon very tightly in plastic wrap, squeezing out any air pockets. This prevents freezer burn.
Use Airtight Freezer Containers
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Place wrapped smoked salmon flat inside resealable freezer bags or airtight containers. This protects against oxidation.
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Label bags with the type of salmon and date frozen for easy identification.
Freeze Immediately
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Freeze smoked salmon immediately after purchasing/slicing for ultimate freshness.
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Place it flat in a single layer toward the back of the freezer where temperature is most stable.
Defrost Properly in the Fridge
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Defrost frozen smoked salmon overnight gradually in the refrigerator. Do not microwave or leave at room temperature.
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Once thawed, use within 3 days for food safety. Do not refreeze.
Does Freezing Affect the Texture of Smoked Salmon?
Freezing can affect the delicate texture of smoked salmon if not done properly. Here are some tips to maintain the tender, silky texture:
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Dry curing before smoking removes moisture that would cause ice crystals to form during freezing.
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Portioning the fillet into thinner slices helps the salmon freeze evenly and minimize texture changes.
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Frozen storage temperature below 0°F preserves texture better than a frost-free freezer.
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Defrost slowly in the fridge, not at room temperature or in the microwave which alters texture.
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Eat defrosted smoked salmon immediately within a day or two for best texture and moisture content.
Does Freezing Change the Flavor of Smoked Salmon?
Freezing itself does not significantly change the natural flavor of smoked salmon. However, some precautions help retain maximum flavor and freshness:
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Wrap salmon tightly to prevent freezer burn which causes dry, oxidized areas.
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Use high quality salmon, freeze it ASAP after slicing, and minimize thawing/refreezing cycles.
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Store in an airtight container or freezer bag to lock in flavor compounds.
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Defrost in the refrigerator to prevent bacteria growth and off-flavors.
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Consume defrosted salmon within 3 days before the texture declines and affects flavor release.
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Avoid microwave defrosting which alters the flavor profile.
Essentially, flavor changes only occur if the salmon suffers freezer burn, oxidation, or bacterial growth. Proper freezing and thawing methods limit these risks.
What Kind of Smoked Salmon Freezes Best?
Not all smoked salmon products freeze equally well. Here are some tips for selecting salmon that freezes optimally:
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Dry-cured salmon freezes better than wet-brined due to less moisture content.
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Hot-smoked salmon freezes better than cold-smoked since the higher heat kills more bacteria.
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Thin slices freeze more evenly than thick cuts of salmon.
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Fattier salmon like Scottish or Alaskan salmon freezes well compared to leaner Atlantic salmon.
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Naturally smoked salmon retains more flavor when frozen vs heavily seasoned or marinated salmon.
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Vacuum-sealed salmon blocks freeze very well for long-term storage.
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Wood smoke flavor penetrates better on salmon frozen before smoking.
Experiment to find your favorite frozen smoked salmon in terms of fish source, cut, cure method, and smoking technique.
What Is the Shelf Life of Frozen Smoked Salmon?
Smoked salmon that has been properly frozen as outlined above can safely be stored frozen for these time periods:
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Vacuum-sealed smoked salmon: 6-12 months frozen
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Smoked salmon with airtight wrapping: 3-6 months frozen
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Portioned smoked salmon pieces: 2-3 months maximum
Make sure to label frozen salmon packs with the date frozen so you can use within the safe window.
Quality does start to slowly decline over these frozen storage times even if salmon remains safe to eat. Eat frozen smoked salmon sooner rather than later for premium flavor and texture.
Signs Your Frozen Salmon Has Gone Bad
Check frozen smoked salmon for these signs it may have spoiled and is unsafe to eat:
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Strong “off” odors, especially sour, rancid, or ammonia scents. Good salmon smells mildly briny or smoky.
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Dry, brownish patches of freezer burn on the fish.
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Slimy or excessively mushy flesh when defrosted.
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Mold or white ice crystal buildup on the salmon.
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Outdated recommended shelf life – discard untracked frozen salmon after 6-12 months max.
When in doubt, remember the old adage: when frozen fish smells bad, throw it out! Don’t risk getting sick from salmon that has turned.
Safely Defrost Frozen Smoked Salmon
Thawing and handling previously-frozen salmon incorrectly promotes bacteria growth and spoilage. Here are some do’s and don’ts for safe defrosting:
✅ DO defrost overnight gradually in the refrigerator.
❌ DON’T leave salmon to thaw at room temperature.
✅ DO submerge vacuum sealed frozen salmon in cold water if faster thawing is needed.
❌ DON’T microwave salmon which causes texture and flavor changes.
✅ DO use defrosted salmon within 1-2 days.
❌ DON’T refreeze salmon after it’s been thawed.
✅ DO cook salmon immediately if unsure how long it’s been thawed.
Enjoy Frozen Smoked Salmon Safely
Now that you know the proper techniques, you can confidently freeze extra smoked salmon to extend the enjoyment of this succulent fish without worry. Follow the guidelines above, and frozen smoked salmon retains its freshness beautifully when defrosted. Explore all the versatile ways to use your frozen salmon stash in comforting smoked salmon chowders, elegant dill crepes, hearty smoked salmon hash, and much more. With proper handling, you’ll never have to waste excellent smoked salmon again.
How Fresh Is Your Smoked Salmon?
Unlike fine wine or cheese, salmon doesn’t age well. Fish that is as close to being caught as possible is always better, in terms of taste, texture, and even safety. Smoked salmon usually stays good for two weeks, but that doesn’t mean it will taste the same on day 14 as it did on day 1. The freshness will start to go down as soon as it’s sliced; the cooler the temperature where you store your fish, the slower it will go down.
By stopping the natural breakdown process, freezing keeps food fresh. This means that salmon that was sliced the day after it was frozen and then defrosted and eaten three months later will taste fresher than salmon that was eaten 14 days after it was sliced. This means that if you want to freeze smoked salmon, you should do it the day you buy it. Your smoked salmon will not be as fresh if you wait until the last minute before the “use-by” date.
A lot of the time, smoked salmon from the store has been in the warehouse for at least a week before it hits the shelves. On the other hand, if you order from Forman Forman’s Smoked Salmon Convenience Pack is actually designed with freezing in mind. Just put the five small packs in the freezer until you need them, and then defrost them when you do. They defrost in just 15 minutes, and as though they’ve just been sliced in the smokehouse. Delicious!.
How Has Your Been Salmon Cured?
Before the fish are hung in the kilns to smoke, they need to be thoroughly cured. Using the London Cure method, salmon fillets are covered in rock salt to remove as much water as possible from the fish. This can take up to 24 hours. Once the fish was frozen, the extra water inside would turn into ice crystals, which would change the texture of the salmon in a bad way. As there is no moisture left after the London Cure, the smoked salmon freezes beautifully.
A common way to cure the salmon is the brining method. This involves leaving the salmon in saltwater, which usually also includes a mix of sugar, vinegar or flavourings. However, brining fish keeps the moisture in it so that it doesn’t dry out during the smoking process, which is the opposite of dry-curing. As you might guess, this is much better for business because the final product is sold by weight. Losing 10% of the fish’s weight is the same as losing 10% of the profit! Unfortunately, the end result is nothing like the traditional London cure smoked salmon. The texture will often be slimy and, after freezing, even ‘mushy’. Yuck!.
In general, you can follow this simple rule: you can freeze salmon that has been dry-cured. But if it’s been brined (like most supermarket smoked salmon), don’t!.
How long will vacuum sealed smoked salmon last?
FAQ
What happens if you freeze smoked salmon?
Why not refreeze smoked salmon?
Does salmon still taste good after freezing?
How to tell if frozen smoked salmon is bad?
How to freeze smoked salmon?
So you must take care not to break the cold chain by transporting the product in an insulated bag and freeze it immediately. Therefore, here’s the rundown on how to freeze your smoked salmon: Cold smoked salmon must be kept in the freezer in initial packaging as it is easily perishable. Smoked hot salmon must be frozen in the initial packaging.
What are the benefits of smoked salmon over raw salmon?
It actually has the same characteristics as raw salmon, being relatively low in calories, it is an excellent source of protein, good fat and several vitamins and minerals. The smoking process just adds an aroma.
Does freezing smoked salmon kill bacteria?
Freezing temperatures don’t kill bacteria; they just stop bacteria from growing. So, if your fish has started going bad when you pop it in the freezer, it will continue to spoil as it thaws. If your smoked salmon is packaged with an expiry or freeze-by date, get it into the freezer by these dates. Toss the fish in the trash instead of the freezer.
Can You thaw frozen smoked salmon?
Two safe methods for thawing frozen smoked salmon are in the fridge and in cool water. The safest way to thaw frozen smoked salmon is slowly. Move the frozen fish from the freezer straight to the fridge and leave it there till it’s thawed. Frozen fish takes several hours to defrost in the fridge, so aim to defrost it overnight.