How Long Does Salmon Last in the Fridge? (2024)

One of our favorite meals is a fresh salmon grilled or smoked with an amazing rub. Served over rice and veggies or piled on a fish taco, no matter how you serve it up, salmon is amazing. After that first amazing meal, saving the leftovers is a given. But that always brings up the question: how long does salmon last in the fridge? The good news is we have answers!

Doesn’t matter what kind of salmon you’ve got on hand, you don’t want to let that investment go to waste! Make a plan to use those leftovers in a timely manner and follow these safety principles to keep your family out of the ER.

Kids or the spouse are bound to wander into the kitchen around lunch or midnight snack time and wonder out loud, “Hey Dad, is the salmon still good?” And you need a ready answer. Here’s what you need to know.

How Long Does Salmon Last in the Fridge?

Salmon can usually last for about two days in the refrigerator depending on what kind of salmon you have on hand. Raw salmon should be cooked within two days of purchase or two days from the sell-by date. Cooked salmon will last for 3-4 days when properly stored.

If you waited until the last possible moment to cook the salmon, it might keep for even less time.

With salmon or fish in particular, it is best to err on the side of caution. We have a saying that goes like this “When in doubt, throw it out.” There isn’t any amount of money worth ending up with an IV and a big E.R. bill.

How Long Does Salmon Last In The Freezer?

The only way to store raw salmon long-term is to freeze it. When stored properly, frozen salmon retains its best quality for 2-3 months but remains safe to eat indefinitely.

If possible, purchase vacuum-sealed salmon or vacuum-seal it at home. This will keep it fresh in the freezer for up to 8 months.

How To Store Salmon

Raw Salmon In The Fridge

Our conversation about would not be complete without discussing raw salmon storage.

When you get home from the grocery store or fresh seafood market, immediately place your salmon into the refrigerator.

The longer it is out at room temperature in your grocery cart or the back of your car or sitting on the counter waiting for a cold spot, the less time it will keep.

The USDA recommends that you refrigerate salmon within 2 hours of cooking or purchase. Refrigerate within 1 hour if the temperature outside is above 90° F.

That’s because room temperature or hotter is the ideal setting for bacteria to grow. So the sooner you can move the meat to your fridge, the better.

Check the settings on your refrigerator. According to the USDA, raw salmon should be kept at temperatures below 40ºF. Keep an appliance thermometer in your refrigerator to make sure the temperature is consistently 40° F or below.

Within the refrigerator, the bottom or back of any shelf is the coldest, safest spot for salmon. The warmest spot is in the door and should be avoided for meat storage.

Raw Salmon In The Freezer

Buying fish on the day you plan to cook it is not always possible. If you need to wait longer than two days to cook the salmon, go ahead and put it into the freezer as soon as you get home. It can be kept frozen indefinitely although it’s recommended to consume it within 2-3 months for the best quality.

To keep salmon fresh for longer, keep it in the original store packaging and wrap it in several layers of aluminum foil, freezer paper, or clingfilm.

You can also place the fish in a heavy-duty freezer bag or vacuum seal it. This will prevent contamination and freezer burn.

Leftover Salmon In The Fridge

Once your meal is over, salmon leftovers should be moved to an airtight container to prevent airborne bacteria from contaminating the meat.

This container should be kept in the refrigerator, and the refrigerator should be set to 40ºF or lower. Again, the bottom shelf or back of the shelf should be used.

Leftover Salmon In The Freezer

Cooked salmon should be used within two days. Move it to the freezer if you can’t use it up within that time.

Cooked salmon will keep for up to 3 months but should be checked for frostbite.

Signs that the Salmon in the Fridge is Bad

Fish can go bad from poor packaging or poor handling from the date of catch before it ever hits the grocery shelf. It also goes bad naturally as it ages. Lots of variables can impact salmon safety. So when you ask yourself, “How long does salmon last in the fridge?” you should look for these signs.

• Firm Pink Flesh. This is a good sign and indicates that your salmon is still probably good as long as it meets all the other criteria. The flesh should spring back when pressed with a finger.
• Soft, Slimy Flesh. The more slimy the meat, the more likely it is unsafe to eat. Slime is an indication of bacteria. So are any areas of the fish that are mushy or soft.
• Smell. Good or bad, the smell indicates how long it has been since the fish was caught and met its demise. The stronger the smell, the less likely the fish is safe to eat.
• Appearance. Changes in color, such as new brown or yellow areas, shiny flesh that didn’t appear shiny at first, or graininess that almost looks like salt on the surface of the fish, are all indications that the fish is aging and might not be safe to eat.
• Mold. Green, white, or black discoloration or fuzz on the meat tells you it’s time to throw it out. Never use food after mold has developed.
• Sell By Date. According to the USDA, salmon should be cooked and consumed within two days of the sell-by date.

Resources For Smoking And Grilling Salmon

Grilled and smoked salmon are real treats in my family! The flavorful delicate meat works well in a variety of dishes and reheats well.

To smoke, choose mild-flavored wood such as apple, cherry, or maple. You can see more options in our guide on the best wood for smoking salmon.

When smoking or grilling with a dry rub, you can replace salmon with steelhead. It’s slightly cheaper, although not as easily available.

Various forms of veggie, rice, salad, and potato dishes make excellent sides for salmon. Don’t be afraid to switch things up!

The grill offers you room to try different ways to cook salmon. Grilled stuffed Copper River salmon is a feast-worthy dish that requires no special occasion.

If you’re in a rush, make this quick grilled brown sugar salmon. The simple glaze that’s also used as a marinade delivers amazing results!

Cooking salmon on a cedar plank is another excellent way to enjoy this nutritious fish. The wood will infuse it with a delicate flavor.

Tips to Use Leftover Salmon

Leftover salmon can easily be reheated in a skillet, microwave, or oven. Make sure the salmon is heated to at least 165ºF.

You can eat the salmon just as you ate it for the first meal, or add it to a new dish such as salmon dip or smoked salmon stuffed Portobello mushrooms. Here are some more ideas for using leftover salmon:

• Add the meat to a corn tortilla with a nice slaw for a yummy fish taco. If you plan to use the salmon like this, you might want to add fresh seasoning to the dish.
• Flake the salmon and add it to a field greens salad with cranberries, walnuts, and a champagne vinaigrette.
• Cube the salmon and add it to a rice bowl with rice, greens, sour cream, cheese, black beans, pico de Gallo, and corn.
• Layer the salmon on a bun for a sandwich with cole slaw or garlic aioli.
• Mix the salmon into a casserole with a creamy filling, rice, and frozen vegetables, and bake it to perfection.

F.A.Q.

Summary

So how long does salmon last in the fridge? Raw salmon should be cooked and consumed within 2 days after purchase or the sell-by date.

Cooked salmon stays safe to eat for 3-4 days in the fridge. Keep in mind this requires continuous refrigeration at temperatures under 40ºF.

For long-term storage, you can freeze salmon. Like most frozen foods it remains safe to eat indefinitely but should be consumed within 2-3 months for the best flavor and texture.

The best way to thaw frozen salmon is overnight in the fridge. This way, it stays safe to eat for 1-2 days. If you thawed the salmon in the microwave or in cold water it should be cooked right away.