How Long Does Salmon Last in the Fridge?

This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links, at no cost to you.

Do you keep salmon in your fridge? Whether it’s cut-ups or the whole fish, you’re probably wondering how long salmon can stay fresh before it spoils. This is especially true if you’ve never kept this fish inside your fridge for extended periods. If you want to minimize food waste whenever using one of these tasty fish, be sure to read on to find out the answer to “How long does salmon last in the fridge?”

Table of Contents

How Long Does Salmon Last Inside a Fridge?

The answer will depend on whether you provide proper storage; when working with raw salmon, it can stay no longer than 1 to 2 days inside the fridge before you need to cook them. If it’s not needed right away, it’s best to freeze it first. But if you have salmon that’s already been cooked, their shelf life can extend to 3-4 days.

Just keep in mind that this number can vary based on a wide range of factors, so it’s important to get all the necessary information. For details on food safety and salmon storage tips, be sure to read on below.

What Can Affect Salmon Shelf Life?

How long your salmon lasts will depend on a wide range of factors, which include the following.

Type of Salmon: As a result of the smoking process, smoked salmon lasts longer compared to raw salmon.
How You Store It: Salmon should always be kept at 40°F and no higher to stop it from expiring too quickly. You will also need to place it tightly inside plastic wrap; alternatively, you can use an airtight container, but it’s always better to keep them away from air exposure.
Exposure to Room Temperature: Any kind of fish should never be left at room temperature for more than 2 hours because this can encourage bacteria to grow.

How to Store Different Types of Salmon

Below are a few tips on how to store different kinds of salmon.

Fresh or Raw Salmon: While there isn’t much you can do about extending the shelf life of salmon inside the fridge, you can ensure that you at least store it correctly. To ensure its freshness, be sure to set your fridge to 40°F or lower and leave it in the coldest part of the fridge — you’ll find that the bottom drawer is the best.
Cooked Salmon: Lasting between 3 to 4 days inside the fridge, cooked salmon should also be placed inside an airtight container to stop it from drying out.
Smoked Salmon: When left inside its original packaging, smoked salmon can last as long as 2 weeks in your fridge. This is because the smoking process not only adds flavor to the fish, but it also gives it a longer shelf life.
Defrosted or Thawed Salmon: Any salmon that has been thawed out of the freezer and then relocated to the fridge can survive for another 1-2 days before it needs to be cooked. However, if you used a microwave or the cold water method, then it should be cooked immediately. These methods can expose your fish to a higher risk of bacterial growth — it’s always better to be on the safe side!

How to Tell When Your Salmon’s Gone Bad

When you know you’ve kept your salmon stored properly and you haven’t gone over the suggested times above, but you’re still questioning its freshness, follow this guide for signs of spoilage.

Fresh salmon always comes with a mild scent similar to the ocean, but if it smells sour or stinks of ammonia, it’s best to throw it out.
Salmon should always feel firm to the touch, and it shouldn’t have a sticky or slimy texture. If it leaves a residue on your fingers, then it has expired.
A salmon’s color should always be bright all over the flesh. If your fish has any kind of discoloration, signs of mold, or dark spots, then it’s no longer usable.

How to Properly Freeze Your Salmon

Freezing your salmon is always a great way to extend its shelf life if you need to use it further down the week or month. If you want to keep it away from freezer burn and preserve its freshness in the best way possible, you’ll have to double-layer it. Be sure to wrap your salmon tightly inside a plastic wrap before placing it inside a freezer-safe bag.

To keep your fish in the best quality, always squeeze as much air as possible out of your heavy-duty freezer bag. Using this method, you can keep your salmon edible inside the freezer for as long as 3 months.

How to Use Your Salmon Before it Expires

If you’ve forgotten the fact that you had salmon in your fridge until now, there are a few things that you can do to salvage that fresh fish and make sure it won’t go to waste.

Salmon in Mushroom Sauce: Imagine a fresh salmon filet nestled inside a tasty and creamy sauce mingling with earthy mushrooms and spinach.
Seared Salmon with Butter Sauce: This easy recipe can give you fish with crispy edges glazed with a sweet and savory sauce.
Salmon Salad with Baked Chickpeas: With crispy chickpeas and a fresh vinaigrette, this salad offers both a crunchy texture and a light sweetness.

Salmon Shelf Life FAQs

Here are some of the most asked questions regarding a salmon’s expiry date.

Is it Possible to Vacuum Seal Salmon?

Vacuum sealing can be a great way to add to the shelf life of salmon, since this method removes the air around it, and therefore slows down spoilage.

How Can I Safely Thaw Frozen Salmon?

Salmon can be thawed best inside the fridge, but if you need faster results, you can always use a resealable plastic bag or keep it inside the original packaging before placing it in a bowl of cold water.

How Can I Use Salmon Leftovers?

You can always use salmon leftovers by creating salmon cakes or adding them to pasta dishes and salads.

Conclusion

Now that you know how to store your salmon properly, be sure to always tread on the side of caution if you sense that there’s an off smell on your fish. Apart from fatty acids, spoiled salmon can often carry foodborne illness that just isn’t worth the meal. So be sure to look for signs of spoilage if your salmon has been inside your fridge for a while.

Sources

Recommended Reading: