How long can you keep salmon in the fridge? This is a vital question for anyone who loves this nutritious seafood and wants to avoid wasting food or getting sick. Storage time changes substantially based on raw, cooked, or smoked salmon.
Raw salmon stays fresh for 1-2 days in the refrigerator before you need to cook or throw it away. Cooked salmon gives you more time and lasts 3-4 days in the fridge according to USDA guidelines[-3]. Smoked salmon lovers can store unopened packages substantially longer—between 1-2 weeks in the refrigerator. Your vacuum-sealed salmon stays fresh for 1-2 weeks if you keep it unopened.
These timeframes help you keep your food safe and get the best taste from your salmon. This piece covers everything in storage needs for each salmon type, the right way to refrigerate, spoilage signs, and freezing options to make it last longer.
Table of Contents
- 1 How long does salmon last in the fridge?
- 2 How long each type of salmon lasts
- 3 How to store salmon properly in the fridge
- 4 How to tell if salmon has gone bad
- 5 Can you freeze salmon to extend shelf life?
- 6 Summing all up
- 7 Here are some FAQs about how long does salmon last in the fridge:
- 7.1 Is salmon still good after 5 days in the fridge?
- 7.2 How can you tell if salmon has gone bad?
- 7.3 Is salmon safe to eat after 7 days?
- 7.4 Is it safe to eat salmon 4 days out of date?
- 7.5 What to do if I ate spoiled salmon?
- 7.6 How long can raw fish stay in the fridge?
- 7.7 How long after eating bad salmon will I get sick?
How long does salmon last in the fridge?
The time salmon stays fresh in your fridge depends on its type, how it’s prepared, and how you store it. Learning these differences helps you avoid wasting food and keeps you safe from getting sick.
Raw vs. cooked vs. smoked: quick comparison
Here’s what you need to know about how long different types of salmon last in the fridge:
Raw/Fresh Salmon: You can keep fresh salmon in the fridge for just 1-2 days. Raw fish spoils quickly because bacteria grow even in cold temperatures.
Cooked Salmon: You can store cooked salmon in the fridge for 3-4 days. Cooking kills most bacteria on the surface, which lets it last longer than raw salmon.
Smoked Salmon: Smoking and curing make salmon last much longer. Unopened packages stay good for 1-2 weeks. Cold-smoked varieties usually last a week past their sell-by date. Once you open either type, eat it within 5-7 days.
Vacuum-Sealed Salmon: Raw salmon in vacuum-sealed packages stays fresh up to 5 days in the fridge. You shouldn’t keep these packages in the fridge longer than 2 weeks.
Thawed Salmon: After thawing in the fridge, cook your salmon within 1-2 days. If you thaw it in cold water or the microwave, cook it right away.
Why storage time varies by type
Several factors create big differences in how long salmon lasts:
The way you prepare salmon changes how fast bacteria grow. Raw salmon gives bacteria an ideal place to multiply. Cooking kills most harmful bacteria. Smoking adds compounds that slow down bacterial growth naturally.
Quality and freshness at the start make a difference too. Research shows that well-handled sockeye salmon can last up to 12 days at exactly 32°F (0°C). Bigger fish usually last longer than smaller ones of the same type.
The types of bacteria present matter a lot. Scientists found that psychrotrophic bacteria and Pseudomonas species make salmon filets spoil during cold storage. These bacteria’s growth patterns tell us when salmon becomes unsafe.
Temperature and packaging impact
Temperature plays the biggest role in how long salmon stays fresh:
Optimal Temperature Range: Keep salmon at 32-38°F (0-3°C), in your fridge’s coldest spot. Bacteria grow 36% slower at temperatures just below freezing (around -2°C) than at 0°C.
Packaging Considerations: Good packaging helps salmon stay fresh longer. Vacuum sealing keeps oxygen out and slows bacterial growth. Airtight containers or plastic wrap with foil also protect against air exposure.
Cross-Contamination Prevention: Put salmon on your fridge’s bottom shelf to stop its juices from dripping onto other foods. This spot also stays coldest and keeps the most steady temperature.
New research shows special packaging materials can make salmon last even longer. To name just one example, films made from chitosan-rice protein hydrolysate work better than standard PE and PP films at stopping bacteria growth and chemical changes in salmon filets.
Note that salmon shouldn’t sit out at room temperature longer than 2 hours. Warm temperatures make bacteria grow much faster.
How long each type of salmon lasts
Knowing how long salmon stays fresh in your fridge helps you serve safe and delicious seafood. Smart timing prevents waste and ensures your meals taste great.
Raw salmon: 1–2 days
Raw salmon needs quick action in your kitchen plans. USDA guidelines tell us to keep raw salmon in the fridge for just 1-2 days before you cook or freeze it. Bacteria can grow on salmon even in cold temperatures, which explains this short window.
Your raw salmon belongs in the coldest part of your fridge (40°F/4.4°C or below). New salmon cooks should remember that quality drops faster after purchase. The best plan is to cook fresh salmon within 24-48 hours.
Cooked salmon: 3–4 days
Cooked salmon gives you more flexibility with meal planning. You can safely eat it for 3-4 days when kept in the fridge. The cooking kills most surface bacteria, which slows down spoilage.
Leftover salmon makes great follow-up meals, and with good reason too. Keep your cooked salmon in airtight containers to maintain its quality. The flavor and texture start declining after day four, even though it’s still safe to eat.
Smoked salmon: 1–2 weeks unopened
Smoked salmon leads the pack with its longer shelf life. Store-bought smoked salmon typically lasts 1-2 weeks in your fridge when unopened. Hot-smoked salmon stays fresh about two weeks past its printed date. Cold-smoked varieties remain good for about a week after their sell-by date.
Both types need quicker consumption after opening. Open smoked salmon stays good for 3-5 days, though premium brands might last up to 7 days. Homemade smoked salmon follows different rules – it usually lasts up to a week with proper prep and storage.
Vacuum-sealed salmon: up to 2 weeks
Vacuum-sealing makes salmon last longer by removing spoilage-causing oxygen. Raw vacuum-sealed salmon stays fresh up to 5 days in proper refrigeration. Food safety experts suggest not keeping sealed vacuum-packed raw salmon beyond 2 weeks in your fridge.
This packaging slows bacteria growth but doesn’t stop it completely. Once opened, treat it like regular raw salmon – use it within 1-2 days.
Thawed salmon: 1–2 days
Thawed salmon needs extra attention. You should cook and eat it within 1-2 days. The countdown starts right when thawing finishes, unlike fresh salmon.
Salmon thawed in the fridge stays good for cooking 1-2 days. Quick-thawed salmon using cold water or microwave needs immediate cooking. USDA says you can refreeze salmon thawed in the fridge, but quick-thawed salmon shouldn’t go back in the freezer.
Canned salmon (opened): 1–2 days
Canned salmon brings convenience and long shelf life. Move leftover canned salmon to an airtight container after opening. Most sources say to eat opened canned salmon within 3-4 days, though careful guidelines suggest 1-2 days.
Unopened canned salmon lasts almost forever in your pantry (5 years for best quality). Opened canned salmon needs quick use, but you can freeze it to keep it good for about 3 months.
How to store salmon properly in the fridge
The way you store salmon directly affects how long it stays fresh and safe in your refrigerator. Quality salmon spoils faster without proper storage methods. These guidelines will help you keep salmon fresh and safe while preserving its flavor.
Use airtight containers or wrap tightly
Protecting salmon from air exposure keeps it fresh longer. Take raw salmon out of store packaging, rinse it with cold water, and pat it dry with paper towels. Then wrap the fish in plastic wrap and add a layer of aluminum foil to block air exposure.
You should put leftover cooked salmon in a clean, airtight container within two hours after cooking. This timing matters – waiting longer could let harmful bacteria grow.
Unopened vacuum-sealed salmon can stay in its original packaging. Once opened, you need to wrap it again right away. Sometimes placing salmon on crushed ice (with loose covering) helps it stay fresh – just change the ice each day.
Store in the coldest part of the fridge
Temperature control is the life-blood of salmon storage. Salmon needs temperatures between 32°F and 38°F (0°C and 3°C). The back of the bottom shelf or drawer is usually the coldest spot in most refrigerators.
A thermometer helps you check your fridge temperature to keep it in the safe range. Don’t store salmon in the door – temperatures change too much each time you open it.
Avoid cross-contamination with other foods
Raw seafood can cause serious cross-contamination issues. The lowest shelf is the best spot for salmon because juices can’t drip onto other foods. This simple placement helps keep everything safe.
Put wrapped salmon on a plate or in a shallow dish to catch any leaks. This extra step protects your other food items.
Commercial kitchens keep raw and cooked seafood separate, often in different cases or fridge sections. Your home kitchen should follow the same rule – keep raw salmon away from ready-to-eat foods.
Label with date of storage
Dating your salmon helps you track its freshness. Use masking tape or food storage labels to mark the storage date on containers. This simple habit takes the guesswork out of knowing how long salmon has been in your fridge.
A dating system helps with meal planning and lets you use older salmon first. Clear dates reduce waste and help you track when salmon needs to be used.
How to tell if salmon has gone bad
You can save yourself from food poisoning and waste by spotting bad salmon quickly. The clear warning signs will tell you if your salmon is safe to eat, whatever time it’s spent in the fridge.
Smell: sour or ammonia-like odor
Fresh salmon has a mild, neutral scent that people often call it as clean seawater. Your nose works as the first defense against spoiled fish. Bad salmon gives off a distinct unpleasant smell that you can’t miss. Watch out for:
- Strong fishy odors
- Sour smells
- Ammonia-like scents
These odors show that bacteria have started growing, so throw the salmon away right away. A bad smell means the salmon’s not safe, even if it looks fine.
Color: dull, gray, or discolored
Salmon’s appearance tells you a lot about its freshness. Fresh salmon shows bright pink or orange colors with a shiny surface. The fish shows these changes as it spoils:
- The flesh turns dull and lifeless
- Gray colors show up everywhere
- Dark spots or patches appear
- White, filmy residue covers the surface
Bacteria break down the fish’s structure and cause these color changes. Wild salmon’s colors are different by nature, but fresh fish always keeps its bright look.
Texture: slimy or sticky surface
Bad salmon’s texture is nowhere near what fresh salmon feels like. Fresh salmon should feel firm and slightly moist. Good salmon springs back when you press it and leaves no dents. Look for these spoilage signs:
- Slimy film on the surface
- Sticky or tacky feel
- Mushy texture that falls apart
- Flesh that stays pressed down
Mold or unusual spots
You can spot bad salmon easily if it has visible mold or strange growths. These show up as:
- Fuzzy spots on the surface
- Strange discolored patches
- Milky white residue that looks different from the normal white protein you see while cooking
Throw away any salmon that shows these warning signs, even if you bought it recently. Food safety matters more than saving money.
Can you freeze salmon to extend shelf life?
Freezing salmon is a great way to make it last longer than regular refrigeration. You’ll need to know the right freezing techniques to get the best quality when you’re ready to eat it.
Freezing raw vs. cooked salmon
Raw and cooked salmon behave differently in the freezer. Raw salmon stays at its best quality for about 2-3 months, while cooked salmon remains good for 2 months. The freezing process changes salmon’s cellular structure and affects its texture and moisture retention. Your frozen salmon might not taste as juicy as fresh salmon.
How long frozen salmon lasts
Salmon stays safe to eat forever at 0°F (-18°C), but its quality decreases over time. Commercial vacuum-sealed salmon can last up to 2 years. Most experts suggest these timeframes for the best flavor:
- Raw salmon: 3 months (up to 6 months acceptable)
- Cooked salmon: 2-3 months
- Vacuum-sealed salmon: 6-12 months in deep freezers
Best practices for freezing and thawing
Cooked salmon needs to cool completely before freezing. Raw salmon should be patted dry. Wrap everything tightly in plastic and foil, or better yet, use vacuum sealing. Safe thawing methods include:
- Refrigerator method: 8-12 hours (safest option)
- Cold water method: 30-45 minutes per pound (in sealed bag)
When not to refreeze salmon
You should only refreeze salmon that was thawed in the refrigerator. Room temperature or warm water thawed salmon should never go back in the freezer. Each time you freeze and thaw salmon, it loses moisture and quality. Your best bet is to cook thawed salmon before freezing it again instead of refreezing it raw.
Summing all up
Proper salmon storage definitely makes a substantial difference in food safety and taste. In this piece, we’ve explored how different salmon varieties need specific handling approaches – raw salmon lasts 1-2 days while unopened smoked varieties can go for 1-2 weeks. On top of that, temperature control plays a crucial role. Your salmon’s usable life extends dramatically when you keep it at 32-38°F (0-3°C).
Food safety should always come before convenience. You should discard any salmon that shows spoilage signs whatever the storage time. These signs include unusual odors, color changes, slimy texture, or visible mold. Salmon’s exceptional nutritional benefits vanish once it starts to spoil.
Freezing offers a great solution if you often enjoy salmon but worry about waste. Raw salmon stays good for 2-3 months in the freezer, while vacuum-sealed varieties last substantially longer. Your thawing technique matters just as much as how you freeze it.
Time spent on proper salmon storage reduces food waste and eliminates health risks. You can now confidently enjoy this nutritious seafood and maximize its shelf life with knowledge about refrigeration timeframes, storage practices, and spoilage indicators. Keep in mind that these guidelines are general rules – the safest choice is to discard any questionable fish rather than risk foodborne illness if you have doubts about freshness.
Here are some FAQs about how long does salmon last in the fridge:
Is salmon still good after 5 days in the fridge?
Cooked salmon typically lasts 3-4 days in the refrigerator, so after 5 days it may be questionable. How long does cooked salmon last in the fridge depends on storage conditions – properly sealed containers can sometimes extend freshness slightly. For raw salmon, how long does fresh salmon last in the fridge is usually just 1-2 days, making 5 days definitely unsafe.
How can you tell if salmon has gone bad?
Signs of spoiled salmon include a strong fishy odor, slimy texture, or discolored flesh. Whether checking how long does raw salmon last in the fridge or cooked versions, these indicators remain consistent. For smoked salmon, how long does smoked salmon last in the fridge may be longer, but similar spoilage signs apply when it’s gone bad.
Is salmon safe to eat after 7 days?
No, salmon is not safe to eat after 7 days in the fridge regardless of whether considering how long does cooked salmon last in the fridge (3-4 days max) or raw (1-2 days max). Even smoked salmon, where how long does smoked salmon last in the fridge might be 5-7 days when unopened, becomes risky by day 7 after opening.
Is it safe to eat salmon 4 days out of date?
It’s not recommended to eat salmon 4 days past its expiration date, as how long does fresh salmon last in the fridge already has tight safety windows. The “use by” date accounts for how long does raw salmon last in the fridge under ideal conditions. When in doubt, remember it’s better to discard questionable seafood than risk foodborne illness.
What to do if I ate spoiled salmon?
If you ate spoiled salmon, monitor for food poisoning symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. While how long does cooked salmon last in the fridge provides safety guidelines, consuming spoiled fish can cause illness regardless. Seek medical attention if severe symptoms develop, especially for vulnerable individuals like pregnant women or elderly.
How long can raw fish stay in the fridge?
For salmon specifically, how long does raw salmon last in the fridge is typically 1-2 days maximum before quality declines. Other raw fish varieties have similar timelines, though fattier fish may spoil faster. This is shorter than how long does smoked salmon last in the fridge (5-7 days unopened) due to the smoking preservation process.
How long after eating bad salmon will I get sick?
Food poisoning symptoms from bad salmon typically appear within 6-24 hours after consumption. Whether considering how long does fresh salmon last in the fridge limits or cooked versions, the onset time is similar. The exact timing depends on the specific bacteria present and individual sensitivity.
