How Long Does Salmon Last in the Fridge? Raw Vs Cooked?

Let’s be honest- we’ve all been there. You open the fridge, spot that beautiful piece of salmon you bought two days ago, and immediately start wondering, is this still good to eat, or is it time to say goodbye?

whether it’s raw or cooked, salmon is a fridge staple for anyone who loves healthy, protein packed meals but it’s also one of those foods where freshness really matters. leave it too long and it can quickly go from mouthwatering to potential food poisoning

So, how long does salmon actually last in the fridge? and does cooked salmon last longer than raw? Let’s break it all down- with expert tips, food safety insight, and a few handy tricks to make your salmon last as long as possible

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🧊 How Long Raw Salmon Lasts in the Fridge

If you just brought home fresh salmon from the grocery store or fish market, you have a short window before it starts to lose quality. Raw salmon typically lasts only 1 to 2 days in the fridge, according to the U.S. Food and drug administration FDA

That means if you buy salmon on a tuesday plan to cook it by wednesday or thursday at the latest. after that it’s better to freeze it

Now, if your salmon was vacuum sealed the kind you find in clear airtight packs it may last a bit longer- around 3 to 4 days – as long as it stays properly refrigerated at or below 40°F (4°C).

💡 Expert Insight

Fresh fish spoils quickly because it’s naturally rich in nutrients that bacteria love explains Dr.kate hendricks a registered dietitian and food safety expert
If you’re not sure when you’ll cook your salmon, it’s always safer to freeze it right away rather than risk letting it spoil in the fridge

🧺 How to Store Raw Salmon Correctly

Storing salmon properly can make a world of differnece. Here’s how to keep it fresh as possible:

Keep it cold- store it in the coldest part of your fridge, not the door
Use an airtight container- If it’s opened, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap on foil, then place it inside a sealed container
Add a layer of ice- For an extra freshness boost, place a layer of crushed ice under and over the salmon in a shallow dish

⚠️ A Common Mistake

Many people put raw on a top shelf or near the fridge door where the temperatures fluctuates. That’s actually the wrost place for it, Always store raw salmon on the bottom shelf, ideally toward the back where it stays coldest

🍳 How Long Cooked Salmon Lasts in the Fridge

Let’s say you made a beautiful baked salmon last night, or maybe you grilled a few fillets for meal prep. How long will cooked salmon stay safe to eat?

Cooked salmon lasts about 3 to 4 days in the fridge.

That’s the offical recommendation from the USDA, which notes that leftovers should be stored below 40°F and eaten within four days for the best quality and safety

After that, bacteria can begin to grow even if the fish still looks and smells okay– so it’s better not to risk it

👩‍🍳 Chef’s Take on Leftover Salmon

Cooked salmon keeps its flavor for a few days if you store it right, says chef lauren fields, a culinary instructor with over 15 years of seafood experience
But you need to cool it down quickly after cooking leaving it out too long gives bacteria a head start

That’s why it’s best to let salmon cool for only about 30 minutes before putting it in the fridge- but never more than 2 hours or 1 hour if it’s a hot day

🥡 Smart Ways to Store Cooked Salmon

If you’re meal prepping, here’s how to get the most out of your leftovers:

Store it in a shallow, airtight container- helps it cook evenly
Separate in to meal- sized portions to aviod reheating more than you need
Keep it toward the back of the fridge not the door shelves
Label the container with the date cooked– it’s easy to foget

If you follow those steps your salmon will stay delicios for days without drying out or taking on other fridge odors

🧠 How to Tell If Salmon Has Gone Bad

Even if you’re within that 2-4 day safe zone, it’s always smart to check before eating. salmon can spoil faster if your fridge is warm, the packaging was damaged, or it wasn’t handled properly

Here’s what to look and smell for:

Sign	What It Means
Smell	Fresh salmon smells mild and ocean-like. If it smells sour, ammonia-like, or fishy, it’s bad.
Texture	Slimy or sticky surface = bacteria growth. Toss it.
Color	Dull, grayish, or brown patches are red flags. Fresh salmon should be vibrant pink to orange.

Golden rule: If you’re not sure — throw it out.
No meal is worth a night of food poisoning.

🧊 Can You Refreeze Salmon After Thawing?

This one’s tricky. Technically yes– but it depends on how you thawd it

If you thawed salmon in the fridge, it’s safe to refreeze within 2 days
If you thawed it in cold water or the microwave don’t refreeze cook it first then freeze the cooked version instead

Pro Tip: Always freeze salmon in air-tight packaging like a vaccum bag or freezer- safe container to prevent freezer burn and moisture loss

🧁 Can You Freeze Cooked Salmon?

Absolutely! Cooked salmon freezes surprisingly well, especially if you plan to use for salads, wraps or pasta dishes later

To freeze:

Let it cool completely
Wrap tightly in plastic wrap or foil
Place in a freezer-safe bag and remove as much air as possible

Cooked salmon stays good for up to 3 months in the freezer. To reheat thaw it overnight in the firdge and warm it gently in a pan or oven not the microwave which can dry it out

🧾 Quick Reference Chart

Type of Salmon	Fridge Life	Freezer Life
Raw Salmon (fresh)	1–2 days	2–3 months
Cooked Salmon	3–4 days	2–3 months
Smoked Salmon (unopened)	Up to 2 weeks	2–3 months
Smoked Salmon (opened)	5–7 days	2 months

🕵️‍♀️ What Affects Salmon Shelf Life the Most?

Temperature– Even small rises above 40°F can reduce shelf life by a full day
Packaging– Vaccum sealed or tightly wrapped salmon last longer
Freshness at purchase– If your salmon was already sitting out at the store, it won’t last long at home
Handling– Always use clean utensils and hands to avoid cross contamination

Bonus Insight:

Seafood spoils faster than meat because it has lesss connective tissue, says Dr. Hendricks. That means bacteria can muliply more quickly if the tempertature isn’t controlled

💬 People Also Ask (and Here’s the Truth)

Q; Can i eat 5-day-old cooked salmon?

A: it’s not recommended even if it looks okay bacteria can grow slowly over time. stick to 3-4 days

Q: Can i eat raw salmon after 3 days?

A: Only it it was vaccum- sealed and kept cold otherwise it’s best to toss it

Q; What happens if i eat bad salmon?

A: You could get food poisoning from bacteria like listeria or salmonella, Symptoms include nausea, vomiting and stomach cramps– not worth the risk!

🧡 Final Thoughts: Handle Salmon Like a Pro

Salmon is one of the healthiest protein you can eat- full of omega-3s vitamins and falvor. but bacause it’s so fresh and delicate, it needs a little extra care in storage.

To recap:

Raw salmon: 1-2 days in the fridge
Cooked salmon: 3-4 days in the fridge
Freeze if you can’t eat it in time
ALways trust your nose, eyes and common sense

By following these simple steps, you’ll enjoy salmon that’s safe, tasty, and as nutritious as the day you bought it

So next time you open that fridge and spot your salmon you’ll know exactly what to do- no more guessing no more wate just confident delicious meals

How Long Does Salmon Last in the Fridge?