How Long Can Raw Salmon Stay In The Fridge?
To put it simply, one should not store raw salmon in the fridge for more than two days as this is the recommended time frame. This is because after two days, raw salmon will start to go bad in the fridge. Keep in mind that this is the time limit for FRESH, raw salmon.
Once you take your raw salmon out of the fridge, allow it to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving. If your salmon is more than 1 pound, remove from the freezer approximately 24 hours before cooking the dish. If you store your salmon in your freezer at a consistent temperature, it will keep well for up to two months.
In your refrigerator, you can keep fresh salmon for three months or longer, as long as you properly follow freezing guidelines. Once the salmon is fully thawed, you can store it for just two days in the fridge before it starts to spoil. Salmon can stay in the refrigerator for one to two days while raw, and for 3 to 4 days once it is fully cooked.
Raw salmon needs to be cooked within two days, then can be stored in your refrigerator again once cooked. Raw salmon can last a very long time when stored correctly, like up to eight months, but to get the best results, you will want to use it before the first three months are over.
| Storage | Temperature | Shelf Life |
| Kitchen counter | 60-68°F | 2 hours |
| In the refrigerator | 32-34°F | 1-2 days & 3-4 days (if cooked) |
| Freezer | 0°F | 2-3 months |
When stored correctly, raw salmon will last 2-3 months in your freezer, but will remain safely frozen longer. Salmon and other fish and seafood does not keep for long. At most, fresh, raw salmon lasts for two days in the fridge. Fish like salmon and other seafood does not keep very well, only being kept two days in your fridge.
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Salmon (and other fattier fish, such as mackerel and sardines) only can be kept 1 to 2 days refrigerated. Cooked salmon in the refrigerator can last for only three or four days, as cooked foods contain high water content. Regardless of whether cooked salmon is raw or cooked, salmon will spoil if left in the refrigerator for any longer than the recommended time stated earlier.
For best results, I always recommend first defrosting your frozen salmon in the refrigerator prior to cooking. If you are in a rush and do not have the time to let frozen fish defrost naturally or to defrost it in cold water, then choose the following method. I am not a fan of this method as microwave heating may result in hazardous, uneven defrost of frozen fish, and it is highly prone to bacteria growth. You can thaw salmon safely in cold water, or with a microwave, but if you do, you need to consume it quickly, rather than keeping it in the freezer.
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If you purchase salmon that is already room temperature, cooking it right away is the best option, rather than re-freezing. If salmon is only partially thawed, you can refreeze it safely without losing any of its nutrition, flavor, or texture. Proceed carefully and allow enough time for salmon to defrost so that it retains its nutrients and taste. Because you did not bring heat and bacteria into the salmon, but kept it cool, it should remain fresh for several days.
Before the two days are up, you will need to put the freshly purchased salmon into a freezer, in case you change your mind and wish to preserve the fish at the best possible quality longer. If you want to keep salmon longer, make sure to either purchase frozen salmon or freeze it right after purchase. If you are looking to purchase salmon, but you are unsure of when you plan on using it, buy a frozen filet instead.
The best way to make sure that salmon does not get wasted as soon as you buy it is to place it directly in your freezer, unless you are going to use it on that very day. You still should not push the salmon past the two-day mark, but when buying raw salmon, the package is best left untouched. Once you crack the package, you can sniff it out and tell whether or not it is been spoiled. If you are unsure whether or not the salmon is bad already, and the really fishy smell is just as bad as it should be, you may want to prepare it, and then taste or smell.
If when you take the salmon out of the hands, the flesh has a ridged, ridged look, I would be willing to say the salmon that you had is rancid. You know the entire salmon is fresh when it has tightly packed scales, glowing eyes, moistened tail, and ruddy gills. Store the salmon in the cooler section of your freezer. Do not put it close to other foods, as odors may spread to the other items. Keep it away from strong smells, such as onions, garlic, and spices.
Also, poor salmon will sometimes develop milky, slimy residue, which is pretty obvious sign that you should not prepare it and eat it. When you eat salmon that is gone bad, not only does it taste bad, you may get the disease. As long as you cook your salmon and eat it promptly, it should be okay to eat, but if you leave it in the refrigerator, the bacteria has the opportunity to begin to replicate all over your salmon, quickly making it unsafe for consumption.
You can defrost frozen salmon by placing it into your freezer overnight, sitting your sealed salmon in a bowl of cold water, making sure you replace the cold water every 30 minutes so that the water does not get hot, and microwaving the fish using the defrost setting. The best temperature to store your fish is 32F, so if you want to keep your fish as fresh as possible, pack your plate full of ice, place the salmon in that, then store in the fridge until you are ready to prepare the salmon. The biggest reason refrigerating is not a great idea for preserving raw salmon is that the fridge cannot generate freezer temperatures. Generally, the fish will keep for two days in the fridge, as long as you plan on eating them immediately.
How do you know if raw salmon goes bad?
It should have shiny, silver skin that is a vibrant pink-orange tint. The salmon is probably not fresh if the skin appears dead and dreary or if the flesh has become gray. A milky-white residue on the fillet and any dark stains or discoloration are signs of spoiling.
Can raw salmon last 3 days in the fridge?
Salmon that has been cooked can keep for three days in the refrigerator. While raw salmon should only be kept in the refrigerator for two days at most. Before two days have gone, raw salmon must be cooked; once cooked, it can be placed back in the refrigerator.
Is salmon good after 5 days in the fridge?
By disrupting the conventional supply chain, we prepare our salmon the same day it is caught and flash-freeze it at the height of freshness with little handling to maintain the highest possible quality of salmon. So long as it is stored and handled properly, salmon can keep for 4-5 days in the refrigerator.