Salmon is a hugely popular fish because of its flavor, versatility and amazing health benefits. But how do you know when salmon is past its best? I’ll show you how to choose and store salmon as well as how to tell when salmon is past its best so you can always enjoy this tasty fish at its best!
Salmon is one of my favorite ingredients to cook with. As a chef, I love it because of its rich flavor and versatility. And as a doctor, I love it for its stellar nutritional profile.
Salmon can be eaten raw, cooked or smoked. Its a popular fish thats eaten in many different cultures around the world.
But nobody wants to eat salmon thats gone bad. It’s not fun to get sick, so always check raw salmon for any signs of going bad before you cook it.
How can you tell if salmon has gone bad? This article will show you the different ways to tell if salmon is past its best and should be thrown away. Plus, Ill cover how to properly store salmon to preserve its freshness. Now, lets dive in![feast_advanced_jump_to].
Some people call salmon a “superfood” because it is so healthy. It’s full of protein, vitamins, minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids, which are all incredible for your health. Read my post on the health benefits of salmon.
The USDA dietary guidelines recommend eating at least two servings (4 oz each) of seafood per week.
Seafood is a staple of the Mediterranean diet. A Mediterranean-style diet has been shown in many studies to lower the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, obesity, some types of cancer, depression, and memory loss.
Salmon is one of the most popular and nutritious fish on the market. It has a lot of protein, potassium, vitamin B12, omega-3 fatty acids, and other good things for you.
Many people buy fresh salmon fillets from the supermarket, These fillets come with a sell-by date printed on the packaging This raises the question – how long is salmon still good and safe to eat after this date?
The sell-by date is designed to let stores know when to pull a product from the shelves Salmon that has passed its sell-by date isn’t necessarily unsafe, but it might not be of peak quality
So how can you tell if your salmon is still okay? Here are some tips,
Is Salmon Safe to Eat After the Sell-By Date?
Some salmon is still safe to eat one to two days after the sell-by date, as long as it was stored properly.
Sell-by dates are not expiration dates. Salmon will not immediately spoil or become unsafe once the date has passed. Sell-by dates indicate to grocery stores when an item is no longer at peak freshness.
As long as you’ve been storing the salmon properly in the fridge, at 40°F or below, it should last a little beyond that date.
How to Store Salmon Correctly
To get the longest shelf life out of your fresh salmon, proper storage is a must. Here are some storage tips:
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Keep salmon in the coldest part of your refrigerator, at 40°F or below. The freezer works even better.
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Make sure the fish is wrapped tightly and sealed in air-tight packaging. This prevents drying out.
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Place the fish on a plate or in a container to catch any leaking juices. Don’t let it touch other foods.
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Use fresh salmon within 1-2 days of purchasing for best quality. Don’t let it linger too long in the fridge after bringing it home.
Following these guidelines will help salmon stay fresher longer and remain safe past the sell-by date.
Signs Your Salmon Has Gone Bad
How can you tell if your salmon has become unsafe to eat? Here are a few signs that spoiled salmon will show:
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Slimy texture – Salmon flesh changes from firm to mushy or slimy as it starts deteriorating. If your fish feels overly soft or slimy, it’s best to throw it out.
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Fishy odor – Fresh salmon has a mild, pleasant scent. If you detect a strong fishy or ammonia-like odor, that indicates spoilage.
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Discoloration – The salmon flesh should look uniform in color. If you notice grayish or yellowish areas or dry flaky patches, toss the fish.
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Mold growth – You may see fuzzy white or green mold forming, which means the salmon needs to be discarded. Mold can be dangerous to ingest and indicates advanced spoilage.
When in doubt, remember the old saying: “When fish smells like fish, it’s done.” Use your senses.
How Long Does Salmon Last in the Fridge?
Here are some general guidelines for salmon shelf life when properly stored:
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Fresh, raw salmon: 1-2 days past the sell-by date
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Smoked salmon: 3-4 weeks past any date on package
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Frozen salmon: 6-9 months in freezer at 0°F
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Canned salmon: 3-5 years, unopened
Again, these timelines can vary based on handling and storage conditions. If salmon has been mishandled or left out too long, it may spoil quicker.
Can You Freeze Salmon After the Sell-By Date?
Freezing is a great way to extend the shelf life of salmon. As long as the fish still looks and smells fresh, you can safely freeze it for later use.
Make sure your salmon has been continuously refrigerated and kept cold up until freezing. Pack it into air-tight freezer bags, plastic wrap, or freezer containers. This prevents freezer burn.
Frozen salmon stays safe indefinitely, although the flavor and texture quality may start decreasing after about 6 months.
Thaw frozen salmon safely in the fridge overnight when ready to eat. Don’t thaw at room temperature. Cook thawed salmon within 1-2 days.
Is Smoked Salmon Safe After the Sell-By Date?
Smoked salmon typically has a longer shelf life than fresh raw salmon. The curing and smoking process makes it inherently more resistant to spoilage.
An unopened package of smoked salmon can often last 3-4 weeks past the printed sell-by or use-by date, provided it has been continuously refrigerated.
Once opened, an entire package of smoked salmon can keep about 7-10 days in the fridge. Slice off portions as needed, cover tightly, and return to the fridge. Discard any remaining pieces after 7-10 days.
As always, rely on your senses too. If smoked salmon smells rancid or odd, err on the side of caution and throw it away.
Tips for Cooking and Eating Salmon
To enjoy your salmon safely, follow these preparation and cooking guidelines:
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Wash hands, cooking tools, dishes thoroughly before and after handling raw salmon. This prevents cross-contamination with bacteria that could make you sick.
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Defrost frozen salmon in the refrigerator, never on the counter or in standing water where bacteria multiply rapidly.
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Cook salmon until it reaches an internal temperature of at least 145°F, verified with a food thermometer. At this temperature, any potential parasites, viruses, or bacteria will be killed.
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Consume leftover cooked salmon within 3-4 days, stored in an airtight container in the fridge. Discard any older leftovers.
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If reheating cooked salmon, heat it to 165°F to eliminate any bacteria that may have grown. Bring leftovers only to this temperature once, then discard.
The Bottom Line
Salmon that’s passed its sell-by date isn’t necessarily unsafe or low-quality. You can typically keep fresh raw salmon 1-2 extra days past the date on the package. Rely on your senses too. Discard salmon that smells unpleasant or looks strange in color or texture.
For best quality, freeze salmon by the sell-by date if you won’t use it soon. With proper storage and handling, frozen salmon can keep 6 months or beyond.
Smoked salmon also gains some extra shelf life due to processing. Follow the same storage rules and use-by guidelines.
While the sell-by date is a useful guide, your eyes, nose, and common sense are the best tools for determining if your salmon is still fresh and safe to eat.
Check the Expiration Date
Always check the expiration date when you buy salmon from the grocery store. Make sure you will have plenty of time to eat the salmon before the expiration date.
Dont eat the salmon if its past the expiration date. You could get sick if you eat spoiled salmon. You can always freeze it if you don’t think you’ll be able to eat it before it goes bad.
If you buy salmon directly from the seafood counter, it may not have an expiration date. In that case, follow the USDA guidelines and store it in the fridge for up to 2 days maximum.
How To Tell If Salmon Is Bad
If you’re not sure if your salmon has gone bad, you should check the date it was bought, how it looks, how it smells, and how it feels.
Salmon that is old or spoiled will look dull or gray and may have a white, filmy residue. In addition, it will have fishy or ammonia-like odor and a mushy or slimy texture.
Following the guidelines from the FDA, heres how to safely select your seafood like salmon and decide if its past its prime:
How Long Can Thawed Salmon Stay In The Fridge? ANSWERED
FAQ
Can I eat salmon 5 days after the sell-by date?
How can you tell if salmon has gone bad?
Can you eat fish past the sell-by date?
Can raw salmon last 4 days in the fridge?