There’s a reason cooked salmon is one of the most popular seafood dishes out there. It’s succulent and slightly sweet, and we could swear that the marriage between cooked salmon and lemon juice is an absolute match made in Heaven. Sprinkle some black pepper on top, and you’ve got yourself a heck of a dish!
The shelf life of cooked salmon is something most people question, and for good reason. When eating food like fish and chicken, it’s important to be mindful of how you store it. Storing these types of foods in an improper way increases your risk of getting foodborne illnesses, which is obviously very unpleasant to deal with.
Cooked salmon will, in general, last up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator — but only if you store it correctly. You’ve also got to take the method you used to prepare the salmon into consideration, as well as how long it’s already been exposed to the air. When storing cooked salmon in the fridge, you should always pack it into an airtight container to keep it from spoiling. If you’re still unsure of how to properly store cooked salmon, just follow this comprehensive guide!
How Long is Cooked Salmon Good in the Refrigerator?
While 3-4 days is a generally agreed-upon amount of time that salmon stays good in the refrigerator for, there are some factors you’ll want to keep in mind. For example, the temperature at which you cooked the salmon in the first place definitely plays a role in how long your leftovers will last in the fridge. It’s always a good idea to put your leftover salmon in the fridge as soon as possible, because if you leave it out for more than 2 hours it will likely get contaminated.
If you store your cooked salmon in such a way that parts of it get exposed to the air (or refrigerator funk, for that matter), your delicious leftovers probably aren’t going to last very long. As previously stated, when storing cooked salmon, you should always use an airtight container or sealed ziplock bag. Keep in mind that after 3 or 4 days, though, the salmon will start to smell and taste a little off.
How to Properly Store Cooked Salmon in the Refrigerator
If you want to preserve the original quality of your cooked salmon, following the proper storage procedures is key. First of all, after cooking the salmon, you’re going to want to let it cool completely. Once it’s cooled, place it in a ziplock bag or another type of airtight container so that the air or fridge funk can’t come into contact with it.
Store it in the refrigerator, preferably on one of the lower shelves. The reason we say “store it on a lower shelf” is because the lower part of your fridge has a more consistent temperature. It’s also a good idea to label the container with the date. This way, you can toss the salmon if it’s been longer than four days.
Can Cooked Salmon Go Bad in the Fridge?
Cooked salmon can absolutely go bad in the fridge, just like most meats after a certain amount of time. You can always freeze your cooked salmon if you want it to last longer. Just place it in an airtight ziplock bag, and it should keep for up to three months. Keep in mind that three-month- old salmon that’s been sitting in the freezer isn’t going to be very delicious, but it will be safe to eat.
How to Tell If Cooked Salmon Has Gone Bad in the Fridge
Even if you store your cooked salmon properly and plan on eating your leftovers before the allotted four days are up, it’s still a good idea to check it over before digging in. The first thing you’ll probably notice is the smell, as the odor of salmon that’s gone bad is pretty rancid. Also, if the texture of the salmon feels slimy or mushy, that’s a sign that your leftovers are no longer safe to eat. Salmon that’s safe to eat should also not look any different than it did before you stored it in the fridge, so that’s important to keep in mind as well.
Final Thoughts
Salmon is delicious, but it doesn’t keep particularly well — especially if you don’t know how to store it properly. Remember: cooked salmon will only last about 3-4 days in the fridge, even if you store it in an airtight container (which you always should). Make sure to do a smell and touch check before digging into your leftovers. The last thing you want to do is make yourself sick! We hope this guide helps, and that your cooked salmon remains succulent and delectable.