How Long Can Salmon Stay in the Fridge and Freezer?

Knowing how long salmon can stay in the fridge and freezer, as well as the proper techniques to keep it fresh and edible, can help you to store it for an extended amount of time while maintaining its delicious flavor.

When you are obsessed with salmon and buy a lot of them to take home, the most crucial question in your mind might not be “How long does it take to eat all of it?” but “How long and how can I store it?” If this is your question, you are at the right place.

Read this article very carefully, and I will give you the answer to this vital question.

How Long Can Salmon Stay In The Fridge And Freezer?

First, let’s look at the brief answer. Regularly, you store several kinds of salmon, that are raw salmon, cooked salmon, smoked salmon, canned salmon and marinated salmon. Their lifespans in the fridge and freezer are different.

At room temperature, salmon can only last for 2 hours. It can be stored in the fridge for up to a week. In case you freeze salmon, it can remain fresh for several months

While this information already tells you how long salmon can stay in the fridge and freezer, this is not the only thing that you need to know. To store salmon longer, you need more. Read on! I will provide you with much more detail below. 

Health Benefits Of Salmon

Needless to say, salmon is one of the most healthy and delicious foods. That is why it is everyone’s favorite seafood. Do you know how salmon is beneficial for your health?

Salmon contains a high amount of two types of omega-3 fatty acids that are extremely necessary for your body. They are eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which have the ability to control blood pressure, reduce the risk of cancers, and prevent inflammation. ⁽¹⁾

Salmon also has high protein content, which is particularly good for your bones and muscles. Besides, it is also rich in vitamin B, potassium, selenium, and many other substances. It is shown to promote your heart health as well. ⁽²⁾

How Long Can Salmon Stay In The Fridge And Freezer?

Do you know that not all salmon live the same life in the fridge? Consult this table to get the specific answer. Different kinds of salmon have different shelf lives.

The shelf life of salmon depends on several factors, for example, the condition of salmon and the way you store it. I will explain how they affect salmon’s life span in the fridge and freezer.

Raw Salmon

The freshness of salmon is the determining factor that decides how long it can be stored. The fresher the salmon is, the longer you can store it in the fridge. Normally, fresh salmon that is sold in the supermarket can be stored in the fridge for at most 2 days after you bought it.

You should note that salmon sold in the supermarket takes several days to be processed and transported. Therefore, in case you buy raw salmon right after it is caught, you can store it longer, about 4-5 days in the fridge.

In case you do not intend to use it within 2 days, make sure you freeze it immediately and properly. You can freeze salmon for 6-12months. However, its quality will gradually decrease after 6 months.

Cooked Salmon

For cooked salmon to live longer in the fridge and freezer, it first depends on whether it is well-cooked or not. Salmon can be stored longer provided that it is cooked properly .  

A second factor is how fast salmon is put into the fridge and freezer after it is cooked. Whenever it stays outside for more than 2 hours, it cannot be stored anymore.

On the other hand, if salmon is refrigerated or frozen while it is still hot, it will be spoiled very soon.

Finally, the fewer additional ingredients in your cooked salmon, the better and longer it can be stored. Some ingredients such as milk, oil, and onion contain acids, which will affect the quality of your salmon.

Assuming that all of these conditions are satisfied, you can keep cooked salmon safely in the fridge for at most 4 days and in the freezer for at most 3 months.

Note: Air is the enemy of both raw salmon and cooked salmon. In case the storing container or plastic bags still contain air, the salmon can not be refrigerated and frozen for long.

This is because air facilitates the process of oxidation, which causes the rancid and fishy smell in spoiled salmon.

Smoked Salmon

Smoked salmon can be stored in the fridge and freezer. You can store unopened smoked salmon for 2 – 3 weeks in the fridge and up to 6 months in the freezer. Opened smoked salmon, however, can only live in the fridge for 1 week. 

Notably, smoked salmon lasts longer if it is stored in its original package.

Canned Salmon

Opened canned salmon can be stored in the fridge for 3 – 4 days. In case you don’t consume it within that amount of time, you can freeze it for up to three months. If the can is unopened, you can simply store it anywhere at room temperature. It can last for 6-8 months unrefrigerated.

Once you freeze canned salmon, it will remain edible for 9-12 months.

Marinated Salmon

Marinated salmon has a relatively short shelf life. This is because it is added with other ingredients, which cause it to get spoiled faster. Marinated salmon can live for at most 24 hours in the fridge provided that it is marinated properly and with less ingredients.

You can also freeze marinated salmon for up to three months.

The Ultimate Guide To Store Salmon Longer And Better

Now you know how long salmon can stay in the fridge and freezer and how to identify whether it is spoiled. From now on, let’s see how you can take action to perverse your delicious salmon longer and more properly in the fridge and the freezer.

How To Store Salmon In The Fridge

As long as you follow these tips, storing salmon in the fridge cannot be easier. Preserving raw salmon and cooked salmon is quite different. I will show you the way to do it properly.

After you buy salmon, drive home as fast as possible. Salmon cannot live for long at room temperature.

Suppose you do not cook salmon right away, you must put it in the fridge immediately. Make sure you keep its original package, and do not open it until you want to eat. Another way is to put it in a container, a vacuum sealer, or wrap it carefully with an aluminum foil layer.

Finally, place it in the coldest part of your fridge. The ideal temperature is between 0 – 4 degrees. If you want to be more careful, note the current date somewhere on the wrappings.

Note: For raw salmon, you should keep these in mind:

• In case you do not use its original package, rinse the fillets thoroughly, then use a paper towel to pat it dry.
• If the salmon is too big, you should cut it into serving fillets or steaks.
• Season it with some salt to prevent it from being moisturized. After seasoning, rinse off the salt and pat it dry again, then wrap it with a piece of plastic or aluminum foil.

In-Depth Instructions On Freezing Salmon

The procedure to freeze salmon is quite similar to what I have provided above for both all kinds of salmon. You just need to wrap it more tightly and carefully, do not leave any air in the container.

Putting salmon in an airtight plastic container or a sealed vacuum is the best way to preserve them. If you do not have these materials, wrap it with a plastic layer followed by an aluminum foil layer.

Before you freeze it, make sure you note the date anywhere on the package or container. You may forget the date you put it in after a few months.

Check out this tutorial if you are still confused with how to freeze salmon:

When Should You Throw Salmon Away?

Salmon is a delicious and healthy seafood. However, when you do not store it properly or keep it for too long, it will be spoiled. If that happens, you should know these characteristics of spoiled salmon to know whether it is still edible.

Smell

The first sign to tell whether your salmon is spoiled is its smell. Fresh salmon has a mild fishy smell that is familiar to everyone. If it smells like ammonia, it is too musty and fishy. You must throw it away to save you and your family from getting poisoned.

Whenever your cooked salmon has a sour and rancid smell, it is definitely spoiled. It’s time to cook a new salmon dish.

Color

Even if it smells good, you must also look for other signs, especially the color. Fresh salmon’s color ranges from pink to red. When it is cooked, the outer layer is opaque, and the inside is pink.

If your salmon is gray, dull, and pale, it is no longer edible. You should also look for dark spots, white spots, and mold in your salmon. Having one of these signs means that the salmon is definitely spoiled.

In case you buy a whole or parts of a wild salmon, be sure to check its eyes. Fresh salmons’ eyes should be shiny; if they are red, you should not buy it anymore.

Texture

You should feel a firm texture when touching raw salmon. Whenever you see that it is easily separable and slimy, it is time to throw it away.

A trick to determine whether your salmon still has a good texture is to press your fingers on it. If it springs out and goes back to its normal shape, then your salmon is of good quality.

Tips To Buy Fresh Salmon You Must Know

To prevent salmon from getting spoiled and store it for a longer amount of time, the first step is to buy fresh salmon. Recall these tips in mind when you are standing in front of countless salmon fillets.

Appearance

If you buy a whole fish, look at its eyes to see whether they are shiny and clear. In case you buy salmon fillets, pay attention to whether it is firm and slippery to touch.

Also, look at the color. Different kinds of salmon have different colors, ranging from light pink to deep red. Do not buy salmon that is gray and pale. Also, look for dark spots and blemishes. Whenever you detect one, put it down.   

Note: Be aware of salmon which has been added with colorant. Read the label carefully to identify the salmon flesh is colored. Avoid buying it.

Smell

You cannot always smell salmon since salmon in the supermarket is often packaged. If you can, be sure to check it. Fresh salmon should not sell pungent or fishy.

It should smell fresh and clean. If you feel that the salmon has an unpleasant smell, trust your intuition and find another one. 

Texture

Whenever possible, make sure you check its texture as well. Salmon’s texture is firm and tender. If it is fragile, slimy and dimpled, it is not safe for you to eat.

Don’t buy salmon that is too soft. You should press the flesh using your fingers. If it springs out, then the salmon is fresh.

Thawing Salmon Is An Easy Job!

You can thaw cooked salmon for reheating it in three ways. The first one is to move it from the freezer to the fridge and leave it there for 12 to 24 hours, depending on how big the fillet is.

The second way is to soak the frozen salmon in the water. This method is faster. It takes only a few hours for the salmon to be completely thawed.

The fastest way is to put salmon in the microwave and turn on the defrosting option. However, this is not the best option unless you are short of time. This is because the heat in the microwave facilitates the growth of harmful bacteria.

FAQs

Maybe you have what you need, and maybe you haven’t got the answer to your question. Check out this FAQs section, and find the perfect solutions for your concerns.

You’re A Master In Storing Salmon Now!

I guess that you have some ideas about how long salmon can stay in the fridge and freezer, how to tell if it goes bad, and how to store it properly to increase the storing time.

From now it is your job to make the most out of them. Salmon tastes best when it is fresh. Therefore, You should maintain its freshness over time. Spending some time preparing and storing will help you to do that.

If you have tried the storing method I have provided, let me know the result in the comment section. Share this article with those who also love salmon and want to keep it for long!

References

1. Healthline.. 11 Impressive Health Benefits of Salmon.
2. WebMD.. The Health Benefits of Salmon.