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.
As a seafood lover, I try to keep salmon on hand as much as possible Its omega-3 fatty acids and high-quality protein make salmon one of the healthiest protein choices out there Whether baked, grilled, or incorporated into salads and pasta dishes, salmon lends itself well to so many recipes.
But like any perishable ingredient, salmon has a relatively short shelf life. Knowing how to store salmon properly is key to keeping it fresh as long as possible. In this article, I’ll go over everything you need to know about refrigerating salmon for maximum freshness.
Proper Storage Key for Salmon Freshness
Raw salmon you pick up from the seafood market or grocery store likely won’t arrive the day it was caught It can take up to two weeks for salmon to get from the fishing boat to the store
Modern ways of processing and freezing salmon help it last longer, but once you bring it home, it will only stay fresh for a few more days. How you store that salmon in your fridge makes all the difference.
Take the raw salmon fillets or steaks out of the packaging as soon as possible after buying them. Rinse the fish under cold water and pat dry thoroughly with paper towels. You want the surface as dry as possible to prevent bacteria growth.
Tightly wrap salmon pieces individually in plastic wrap, pressing out any air pockets. Then wrap again in aluminum foil for an extra layer of protection. Most of the time, the back of the bottom shelf is the coldest place in the fridge to keep foil packages.
Keeping the temperature right around 40°F maximizes freshness.
Raw Salmon Fridge Life
How long does raw salmon from the market stay fresh in the fridge using proper storage methods?
Raw salmon will maintain best quality for 1-2 days when stored properly in the refrigerator. After 2 days, discard any unused salmon to be safe.
The colder you can keep that fridge temperature, the longer the salmon will last. Some people can push it to 3 days if their fridge stays around 37°F. But I recommend using or freezing salmon within 1-2 days of purchasing for optimal freshness.
If the raw salmon has been previously frozen by the store, it may have a slightly shorter fridge life of just 1 day. The freezing process breaks down the salmon’s cell structure a bit. But frozen-then-thawed fish still tastes delicious when fresh.
Cooked Salmon Fridge Life
Let’s say you cooked up a big batch of baked salmon fillets or made a salmon pasta dish. How long does leftover cooked salmon stay good for?
Cooked salmon that has been properly stored in an air-tight container will keep for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. The cooling slows down but doesn’t completely stop bacteria growth.
To maximize fridge life, divide cooked salmon into individual airtight containers rather than one big batch. You want to limit re-exposure to air each time you open the container to grab a serving.
Make sure cooked salmon reaches refrigerator temperature within 2 hours after cooking. Leaving it out too long gives bacteria a head start on multiplying.
Storing Opened Smoked Salmon
Smoked salmon often comes in pre-packaged vacuum-sealed pouches. Once opened, these pouches usually recommend using the salmon within 3-5 days.
For the best flavor, I recommend using an opened pouch of smoked salmon within 3 days if refrigerated. The delicate smoky flavor fades quickly after exposure to air.
You can safely go up to 5 days for refrigerated smoked salmon if it retains good color and firm texture. Discard any that becomes excessively dry, slimy, or discolored.
Freezing Salmon for Later Use
Freezing is the best way to extend the shelf life of fresh salmon you won’t use right away. Frozen properly, salmon can be preserved at peak quality for 2-3 months in the freezer.
To freeze raw salmon fillets, first pat dry and wrap tightly in plastic wrap or foil. Place wrapped fillets in a resealable plastic freezer bag, forcing out excess air.
Cooked salmon and smoked salmon can be frozen the same way. Portioning cooked salmon into single servings makes for easy defrosting later.
Defrost frozen salmon gradually in the refrigerator. Don’t try to rush thaw in hot water or the microwave. Cook defrosted salmon immediately for food safety.
Signs Salmon Has Gone Bad
It’s important to use your senses of sight and smell to tell if salmon has gone past its prime and needs to be discarded:
- Strong “fishy” odor
- Slimy texture and cloudy appearance
- Discolored or grayish flesh
- Dull, faded appearance
- Dry texture and white albumin oozing (cooked salmon)
When in doubt, remember it’s better to be safe than sorry! Toss out salmon that smells, looks, or feels questionable.
Handling Salmon Safely
Raw salmon may contain bacteria and parasites that can cause food poisoning if consumed. Follow these tips for safe handling:
- Wash hands before and after handling raw salmon
- Avoid cross-contamination by keeping salmon away from other foods
- Discard marinade used on raw salmon
- Cook salmon to an internal temperature of at least 145°F
- Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours
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 raw salmon last 4 days in the fridge?
Can I eat salmon after 5 days in fridge?
How can you tell if fresh salmon has gone bad?
How long does fresh caught salmon last in the fridge?
How long does fresh salmon last in the fridge?
Fresh salmon is a delicious and healthy option for meals, but it’s important to know how long it can be stored in the fridge to ensure its freshness and safety. When properly stored, fresh salmon can last in the fridge for up to two days.
How do you store fresh salmon?
To store fresh salmon, wrap it tightly in plastic or foil and place it in the coldest part of your fridge. Frozen salmon should be stored in a freezer bag with minimal air. Cooked salmon should be kept in an airtight container in the fridge. Always remember to consume fresh and cooked salmon within 1-2 and 3-4 days, respectively.
How long can thawed salmon stay in the fridge?
Thawed salmon should only stay in the fridge between one and two days. Salmon stored in the fridge should be cooked or frozen before the second day has passed. After that, your salmon is likely to not be good any longer. How Can You Tell if Thawed Salmon is Bad? The best way to tell if your thawed salmon has gone bad is by using your senses.
Can salmon go bad if stored in the fridge?
Yes, believe it or not, salmon can go bad when stored in the fridge. Salmon may not be left in the fridge indefinitely, as it will go bad eventually. Salmon may be stored in the fridge as uncooked salmon for one to two days before going bad. Cooked salmon on the other hand may last between 3 to 4 days in the fridge before it goes bad.