How long can you leave salmon in the fridge

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I’m one of those people crazy about this fish. I particularly like smoked salmon. It’s easy to cook aside from being oh-so-delicious.

Salmon is so delicious that I am not surprised that this fish has become so popular. In fact, worldwide consumption of salmon has increased three times since 1980.

Salmon Expiration Date

Type Salmon

Pantry

Fridge

Freezer

Past Printed Date

Past Printed Date

Past Printed Date

—

1-2 Days

6-9 Months

1-2 Weeks

5-7 Days

6-9 Months

6-8 Months

6-8 Months

9-12 Months

—

5-6 Days

6-9 Months

—

4-5 Days

6-9 Months

How long can fresh salmon last when in the fridge?

salmon in the fridge

Keeping salmon in the fridge isn’t exactly the best way to keep it fresh. When refrigerated, salmon (and other fatty fishes such as mackerel and sardines) can only last for 1-2 days. If you’re lucky, salmon’s freshness can last up to 3 days when it is refrigerated.

The best way to prolong the freshness of salmon is to keep it in the freezer. Doing so would make the salmon safe to eat up to 9 months past its sell-by date. However, it may not be at its best condition or taste if cooked 3 months after it sell-by date.

Speaking of the sell-by date, don’t worry if you are to cook salmon past the date indicated on the package. As long as you have properly stored salmon , it is safe to use even after the sell-by date.

Storing salmon at room temperature is a no-no. Bacteria can grow quickly at temperatures of 40 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. I would recommend that you discard salmon that has been left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours.

How long can cooked salmon last when refrigerated?

pieces of fresh salmon and sliced lemon

Cooked salmon can last slightly longer than fresh salmon. Keeping it in the fridge will make it safe for consumption up to 3 days after it was cooked.

In fact, the fresher the salmon is when it was cooked, the longer it would last when refrigerated.

But this doesn’t mean that you should wait for 3 days before eating leftover salmon that you bought from a restaurant. Why? Because you don’t really know how fresh the fish was when it was cooked.

To be safe, consume that leftover salmon that you bought from a restaurant within 2 days.

Canned salmon is a different animal altogether. When stored in the pantry and fridge, it can last for 6 to 8 months. Freezing it can make it safe for use up to 12 months since its sell-by date.

How do you know that salmon is spoiled?

pieces of fresh salmon and sliced lemon on the ice

The easiest way to tell that salmon has gone bad is by smelling it. Sure, it has a ‘fishy’ smell but salmon should not have a bad smell. A sour-like smell is a good indicator that it is time to toss the salmon.

Another sign that salmon has gone bad is when there is a sticky residue outside of it, particularly around the gills. Other traces of spoilage are molds and slimy residue. Fresh salmon is pinkish in color. It should not look dry or discolored at all.

You can also press the salmon with your fingers. If there’s a dimple or depression in the flesh when your hands leave it, then I can say that the salmon you have is rancid.

Don’t even think of cooking spoiled salmon. Spoiled salmon has mold and bacteria that can cause sickness.

As I mentioned earlier, the best way to store salmon is to keep it in the freezer. Wrap it in an aluminum foil and keep it at 0 degrees. This should surely keep its freshness up to nine months.

Health benefits of salmon

pieces of fresh salmon

Aside from being very delicious, one reason why salmon is so popular is due to its nutritional value.

Omega 3

Salmon is a very good source of omega 3 fatty acids. This can help improve your memory. It is also known to reduce risks of heart diseases while lowering high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

People with sore joints would also benefit from eating salmon as Omega 3 fatty acids which have been shown to reduce joint pain intensity.

It also has high levels of selenium that is good for the skin. Selenium also promotes healthy hair and strong bones.

Vitamin D

An outstanding trait of salmon is it being one of a handful dietary sources of vitamin D. This vitamin, which we can also get from exposure to the sunshine, promotes a well-functioning immune system. A single 120 gram serving of salmon can yield 400IU of vitamin D, which is the ideal daily intake of the said vitamin.

Yet like most fishes, salmon doesn’t have a long storage life even when kept in the ref.

Conclusion

pieces of fresh salmon and sliced lemon on the ice

Salmon is very tasty and delicious; two good reasons why it is enjoying a surge in popularity. But like most fishes, it can easily become spoiled. Storing it in the fridge will only extend its freshness by 2-3 days. Freeze it and you can use it up to 9 months.

If you have a plan to cook Baked Salmon With Lemon Parmesan Shrimp, it’s always better to use fresh salmon. But if you don’t have time to go to the market and buy a new food, then just start with one ready in your fridge. I believe the dish still can satisfy your stomach.

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