How Long Can Salmon Be Stored in the Fridge?

Salmon is a tasty, nutrient-packed protein that's incredibly versatile. Whether you're cooking it in various ways or looking for fresh recipe ideas, you may find yourself wondering how to handle that extra salmon. What should you do with leftover salmon, whether whole, filleted, or cooked? Keep reading to learn how long salmon stays fresh in the fridge and when it’s time to say goodbye.

How Long Can Salmon Stay Fresh in the Fridge?

The shelf life of salmon in the fridge depends on its condition before refrigeration, how it was stored, and the handling process during storage.

How Long Can Raw Salmon Stay in the Fridge?

The USDA advises eating raw salmon within 1 to 2 days when stored in the fridge. Also, ensure your fridge is set to 40°F or lower for optimal freshness.

How Long Can Cooked Salmon Stay in the Fridge?

Under proper refrigeration, cooked salmon will remain fresh for 3 to 4 days. Though slightly longer than raw salmon, cooked salmon's shelf life is only marginally extended due to slower bacterial growth at fridge temperatures.

If you're reheating last night's baked salmon and notice a white substance oozing from the fish, don't worry. This is albumin, a protein that firms up as the salmon cooks. It’s tasteless and simply means the fish might be slightly overcooked.

How Long Does Smoked Salmon Stay Fresh in the Fridge?

Smoked salmon lasts longer than both raw and cooked salmon, but it doesn’t last indefinitely. Its shelf life depends on how it was smoked and packaged.

When stored in its original packaging, cold smoked salmon can remain good for 2 weeks to a month in the fridge. Vacuum-sealed cold smoked salmon lasts a bit longer than salmon stored in other containers. Both types can be frozen for up to a year.

How to Store Salmon

Regardless of whether the salmon is raw, smoked, or cooked, never leave it out at room temperature for more than two hours.

If you're planning to cook your salmon right away, you can keep it in its original sealed packaging in the fridge until you're ready to prepare it. For bulk salmon, divide it into individual portions and store in food-safe, sealable bags or airtight containers. Depending on when you'll use it, salmon can be stored in the fridge for up to two days or frozen to keep it fresh for longer.

Can You Freeze Salmon?

According to the USDA, salmon and other seafood can be frozen indefinitely. However, freezing and thawing can affect the texture and flavor of the fish over time.

To prevent freezer burn, gently pat the salmon with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture before storing it in a food-safe bag or airtight container. Removing extra air helps reduce spoilage. Be sure to label your bags or containers with the date of purchase and follow the first-in, first-out method for best results.

When stored in a freezer set to 0°F or lower, salmon should maintain its best quality for 2 to 3 months.

How to Thaw Salmon

To thaw salmon, place it in the fridge overnight, use the cold water method, or defrost it in the microwave when you're ready to cook.

• If you decide to use the cold water method, place the food package completely in water and change the water every 30 minutes until it is thawed.
• Using the microwave to thaw salmon may be a timesaver. Make sure to remove the raw fish from its packaging and place it in a microwave-safe dish.

Regardless of how you thaw the salmon, it's essential to cook it properly. Bacteria can develop during the thawing process, but thorough cooking will eliminate any risks.

How to Identify Spoiled Salmon

While it’s tempting to save salmon for future meals, remember that perishable foods like fish don’t last indefinitely.

Aside from visible mold, there are several other signs that can indicate the salmon has gone bad:

• The flesh might look dulled, gray, or appear bruised, slimy, or mushy. 
• If you’re working with a whole fish, the gills may have gone brown or the eyes look cloudy. 
• The scent of the fish also tells you whether the fish has gone bad. Fresh salmon doesn’t smell fishy, but spoiled salmon might have a strong fishy and ammonia scent. If the odor seems off at any time, throwing the fish out is best. 

Fish can carry harmful bacteria, parasites, and viruses that may cause illness, so it's crucial to follow a strict cleaning routine to minimize the risk of cross-contamination.

After working with raw salmon, thoroughly clean all surfaces, utensils, and dishes that came into contact with it using hot, soapy water. You can also sanitize these items or run them through the dishwasher to kill any lingering germs.