We all love salmon for its delicious flavor. But face it, no one wants to risk eating expired fish, even if it’s salmon. Freezing and thawing, therefore, is common. So what’s after that? How long can thawed salmon stay in the fridge?
This guide will answer those questions with more interesting insights. You can be more confident in handling your precious salmon. Put on your chef hat, and let’s get started!
How Long Can Thawed Salmon Stay in the Fridge?
Our restaurant has a very specific rule regarding this, which is to only allow storing thawed salmon for a maximum of two days in the fridge. As you may know, after this time, bacteria will breed in the flesh, spoiling your fish.
There are three ways to thaw frozen salmon, including keeping it in the fridge, soaking it in cold water, and quickly defrosting it in the microwave. The lifespan of thawed salmon in the refrigerator differs depending on how you thaw it.
Thawed in the Fridge
You can put frozen salmon in the fridge overnight. The cold temperature there allows it to defrost slowly. After thawing, salmon can still be good in your fridge for about two days.
Thawed in Cold Water and Microwave
If you don’t have enough time, consider thawing your frozen salmon in cold water. Remember to change the water every 15 to 25 minutes.
The fastest thawing method is microwaving your frozen food. The defrost setting in your microwave helps you defrost your fish in just two to three minutes.
Unfortunately, if you choose to defrost your salmon in cold water or the microwave, ensure you can cook it immediately. Putting the thawed salmon back in the fridge is not a good idea.
Thawed salmon stays in your fridge for two daysHow to Tell If Thawed Salmon Is Bad
Thawed salmon only lasts in your fridge for two days. But if it hasn’t reached the limit, do not consume it when you notice the following spoilage signs.
Appearance
One of the most impressive characteristics of salmon is its vivid color, which can be pink or orange, depending on the species.
If the thawed salmon in your fridge becomes gray or dull and has dark spots, do not use it anymore.
Texture
Touch the thawed salmon to check if it’s still edible. It should have a firm texture that bounces back when you press it. On the other hand, if the fish gives you a mushy impression, throw it away.
Smell
Spoiled salmon has an intense fishy smell. Sometimes, you may even notice an ammonia-like odor from your fish. Meanwhile, it should have a mild, ocean-like scent to prove its safety for consumption.
Use your senses to tell if thawed salmon is safe to eatHow to Use Up Thawed Salmon Before It Goes Bad
Hurry up! Your thawed salmon has only two days left to stay edible in the fridge. If you don’t know what to do with it, we have some excellent ideas here:
- Salmon tacos: Roast your thawed salmon while preparing the accompaniments, and go ahead. Although salmon is not the best ingredient for tacos, you can really make a tasty dish out of it.
- Salmon salad: You can transform any salad into a refreshing dish by cooking thawed salmon and sliding it into your bowl. Green salad and cucumber noodles go best with it.
- Salmon sandwiches: Just slip a large piece of cooked salmon between the bread. Then, you will have a quick, nutritious, and tasty breakfast.
- Salmon hamburgers: Add salmon, an egg, breadcrumbs, and some herbs between the buns, then there you go.
Prepare your salmon in different ways before it goes badHow to Extend the Lifespan of Thawed Salmon
After thawing, salmon has a short lifespan. To lengthen it, please bear in mind these tips:
- Wrap your salmon in aluminum foil or plastic wrap tightly. In this manner, air can’t reach the fish and spoil it.
- Remember to keep the thawed salmon in the coldest part of your fridge, as it helps slow down bacterial development.
- Only thaw your frozen fish in the refrigerator. If you defrost it in the microwave or cold water, you must cook it immediately.
- If you don’t plan to use the salmon within the next two days, freeze it. This method allows your fish to last for months.
- Cooked salmon has a longer lifespan than raw salmon. Hence, consider cooking your fish before storing it. Also, remember to cool it down before putting it in the fridge.
Can You Refreeze Thawed Salmon?
You can refreeze partially defrosted salmon if you haven’t exposed it to room temperature for more than two hours.
Meanwhile, refreezing fully thawed salmon is also possible if you thawed it in the fridge. Other defrosting methods will put the fish in a dangerous temperature zone.
So how to refreeze thawed salmon? The process is similar to freezing it. Please follow these steps to do it properly:
- Seal your salmon in an airtight container or a freezer bag.
- Label the storage date.
- Put the container in the freezer.
Storing salmon in the freezer can help maximize its lifespan because the low temperatures prevent bacterial growth.
You should divide the fish into small portions to avoid thawing and refreezing salmon multiple times. Then, you can thaw the needed salmon quantity for a meal. Also, here are cases where you shouldn’t refreeze your salmon:
- Do not refreeze the salmon that you have left on your kitchen countertop for more than two hours.
- If you have kept raw salmon in your fridge for more than two days, do not put it in the freezer even when it looks good. The same rule applies to cooked salmon that has stayed there for more than four days.
What to know before refreezing thawed salmonCan I Refrigerate the Reheated Salmon?
Once you have reheated your salmon, do not refrigerate it. Besides, it would be best to reheat the salmon only once. Then, you should consume it after reheating.
Reheating salmon may cause bacteria to develop. To solve this problem, try to heat it until it turns lukewarm rather than steaming hot.
Why Shouldn’t You Thaw Frozen Salmon in the Vacuum-Sealed Packaging?
In fact, vacuum packaging is good for storing fish and meat as it prevents juices from your food from contaminating the surfaces. However, this method has potential risks.
For example, retailers may not do a good job at storing salmon. As a result, the packaging may catch dangerous toxins. One of the most harmful bacteria your salmon can get is Clostridium botulinum type E.
Clostridium botulinum has been a big concern in fish packed under poor oxygen conditions. Unfortunately, the vacuum package is what we are talking about.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Safe to Eat Salmon That Has Been in Your Fridge for a Week?
Unfortunately, no. Raw salmon can remain edible for one to two days after you get it from the store. Meanwhile, cooked salmon has a longer lifespan, about three to four days.
It would be better to store salmon in the freezer. The freezing temperature performs a great job of preventing bacteria from developing in the fish. Hence, you can store raw salmon there for three to eight months.
How Long Should Salmon Be Cooked After Defrosting?
If possible, cook the defrosted salmon immediately to avoid bacteria from forming and ruining your food. If you don’t plan to cook it at once, store the leftovers in the fridge.
Should You Put Cooked Salmon in the Fridge?
Yes. Cooked salmon can last 3 to 4 days in your fridge because the cooking process has eliminated most harmful bacteria.
Conclusion
Thawed salmon may remain good in your fridge for up to two days. Yet, this rule is only true if you defrosted the fish by refrigerating it overnight.
By following proper storage techniques, your salmon can remain fresh and tasty for as long as possible. So, try out our tips, and savor the flavor of your salmon!
If you have any questions about storing salmon, don’t hesitate to contact us. We are always ready to help you out. Thank you for reading, and see you in the next post!
