It’s a good idea to keep salmon on hand so you can use it in your favorite recipes or make it quickly when you don’t know what else to make. But if you keep salmon around for a long time, you’ll eventually have to ask yourself, “Has this salmon gone bad?” This is a tough question.
No one wants to eat fish that’s off. That’s just a recipe for a nasty case of food-borne illness. So how do you know if salmon is bad? Here’s what to watch for.
You’re rummaging through the fridge and come across a beautiful salmon fillet you picked up a few days ago. Then you notice – uh oh. The expiration date printed on the packaging has passed. While your first instinct may be to toss it, before you do – wait! That salmon may still be perfectly fine to eat.
Salmon like many fresh proteins can often last past its printed expiration date if stored properly. But how can you know if that expired salmon is still OK to cook up versus destined for the trash? Read on for tips on identifying when salmon has truly gone bad, how to maximize salmon’s shelf life, and when it may be safe to eat salmon past its expiration date.
How to Tell If Salmon Has Gone Bad
The first step in determining if expired salmon is still usable is a thorough assessment. Use your senses and inspect the salmon closely. Signs that salmon has spoiled and is no longer safe to eat include:
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Strong, Fishy Odor Fresh salmon has a neutral, mild scent Foul odors indicate bacteria growth
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Slimy Texture: Salmon should feel firm and moist. Any sticky slime on the surface means spoilage.
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Discoloration: The flesh should look bright pink/orange. Grayish or brownish hues are bad news.
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Dry Appearance: Salmon should appear glossy, not dried out. This shows loss of moisture.
Most likely, your salmon has gone bad and needs to be thrown away if any of these things happen. Don’t risk getting sick from rotten salmon!.
Storing Salmon Properly to Maximize Shelf Life
To get the most mileage from the salmon you buy, proper storage is key. Follow these tips to help your salmon stay fresh as long as possible:
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Store salmon in the coldest part of the refrigerator, around 40°F or below.
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Wrap salmon tightly in plastic wrap or place in an airtight container. Air exposure speeds spoilage.
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If freezing salmon, wrap in an extra layer of foil to prevent freezer burn.
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Cooked salmon leftovers last 3-4 days in the fridge in an airtight container.
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Don’t overcrowd the fridge! Too much food limits air circulation and cooling.
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Clean out the fridge regularly to prevent bacteria from spreading onto the salmon.
Proper storage gives you some leeway if that expiration date sneaks up on you!
Can You Eat Salmon After the Expiration Date?
So your salmon is past the printed expiration date but still looks and smells OK. Is it risk-free to cook up? Here are some factors to consider:
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How Far Past the Date? Salmon that’s a few days past the date has a better shot than salmon that’s weeks overdue.
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Was it Frozen? Previously frozen, properly thawed salmon lasts longer than fresh.
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Previously Opened? Intact vacuum-sealed packaging protects better than loose plastic wrap or opened containers.
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Purchase Date Unknown? Mystery salmon with no printed expiration date is riskier.
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Cooking Method Matters. Heavily cooking expired salmon reduces bacteria risk more than light cures like gravlax.
While consuming any food past its expiration isn’t recommended, if your salmon was stored properly and shows no signs of spoilage, it may be fine. Use your judgment!
Playing It Safe with Expired Salmon
If you don’t want to take any chances with older salmon, there are safer ways to put it to use rather than eating it plain:
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Use expired salmon in cooked dishes like salmon patties or salmon chowder that get heated to 165°F. High temperatures destroy bacteria.
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Add expired salmon to strongly flavored preparations like croquettes or salmon salad with lots of spices and acids from citrus and herbs. These mask off tastes and odors.
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Consider making salmon stock from the bones and scraps. Simmering for an hour kills any potential bugs.
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Turn inedible portions into fertilizer! Salmon is rich in nutrients that plants love.
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When in true doubt, remember it’s better to waste some fish than risk getting sick. Just toss it!
Key Takeaways on Expired Salmon
The right techniques can help you maximize the shelf life of fresh salmon. But at some point that expiration date will roll around. Follow these key tips when assessing expired salmon:
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Check for any foul odors, slime, and color changes – if present, throw it out!
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If it looks and smells OK, expired salmon stored properly may be safe when cooked thoroughly.
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Frozen salmon lasts longer than fresh, and previously unopened packages are lower risk.
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When in doubt, use older salmon in cooked dishes rather than eating raw.
While it’s impossible to eliminate all risk when eating foods past their prime, following smart storage methods, looking for signs of spoilage, and thoroughly cooking older salmon can help reduce your chances of illness. Trust your judgment – if that expired salmon seems off in any way, don’t chance it!
Have you ever eaten salmon past its expiration? Share your stories and tips in the comments!
Sell-by vs. Use-by Date
It’s easy to think that the date on the salmon’s packaging will tell you if it’s still fresh, but that’s not always the case. Before you read a past date and toss perfectly-good salmon in the bin, look a little closer. Is the date on your salmon’s packaging a sell-by or a use-by date?.
What is a use-by date? It’s the date by which you should have eaten all of your raw salmon to keep it at its freshest and lowest risk of getting sick. However, a sell-by date gives you a little more time. Fish is usually safe to keep in the fridge for one to two days after the sell-by date, so you should have one or two more days to eat it after the date.
What Makes Salmon Go Bad?
For salmon to be “bad,” it must be past the point where it’s neither tasty nor safe to eat. Salmon can go bad if it is handled or stored incorrectly, if bacteria grow on it, or just because it is old. If you keep something in the fridge or freezer for too long, it will start to go bad.
When wondering how to tell if salmon is bad, there are a few important things to look for.
Expired Salmon Good Safe To Eat – Salmon Pouch Can Comparison
FAQ
How long can you eat salmon after the expiration date?
How long after you buy salmon does it go bad?
How long can you eat fish after the sell-by date?
Can I eat salmon 5 days after buying?
Does salmon expire?
But remember that salmon, like a lot of other proteins, usually has a sell by date and not a use by date or expiration date. Because of this distinction, you may safely use foods even after the sell by date has lapsed if they have been stored properly. How to tell if Salmon is bad, rotten or spoiled?
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.
Can you eat canned salmon after expiration date?
It’s generally not recommended to eat salmon after the expiration date, as it may have spoiled and could pose a risk of foodborne illness. Use your judgment and examine the salmon for any signs of spoilage before consuming. How long can I keep canned salmon in the pantry?
How long can salmon stay fresh after the sell-by date?
However, salmon is a type of fish that can stay fresh for a significant amount of time after the sell-by date, as long as it has been stored properly. In most cases, you can safely consume salmon for 1-2 days after the sell-by date if it has been refrigerated at the correct temperature.