Have you had salmon sitting in the fridge for a while and have no idea whether it is good or bad?
Salmon is a popular fish. Therefore it’s only natural to cook a little more salmon than necessary, so you can reheat it the next day.
We’ve all been there. However, the important thing is knowing whether or not the salmon is bad.
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How To Store Salmon
Just like storing salmon is essential todefrost salmon, storing salmon is essential to keep it fresh.
Luckily storing salmon is easy as long as you put in a little effort.
Salmon can be stored in the fridge or freezer. Storing salmon in the refrigerator will extend its shelf life by a few days.
However, the key is storing the salmon in the fridge as soon as you get home.
You can ask the retailer for ice if you bought the salmon from a fish market to keep it at a low temperature until you get home.
Remember, the fresher the salmon is, the longer it will last.
If your salmon came in a sealed package or wrapped tightly in a container, do not remove it from its packaging.
However, wrap the salmon with plastic wrap or aluminum foil if it is not wrapped.
You can also use a vacuum sealerfor packaging the salmon or place it in an airtight container.
Place your salmon into the coldest section of the refrigerator (usually the back part of the fridge) ranging between 32-40°F.
Salmon can also be frozen. However, it must be frozen correctly to preserve the salmon’s quality.
First, rinse your salmon really well with cold water. Do not rinse the salmon with hot water, or bacteria may develop on the salmon’s surface.
Cut the salmon into smaller portions if it is too large.
Wrap the salmon individually with plastic wrap, then wrap the salmon with aluminum foil, freezer paper, or vacuum seal the salmon.
Make sure you press the air out of the salmon and wrap it tightly to prevent bacteria from growing.
Write today’s date on the salmon with a food-safe marker, so you know how long you’ve stored the salmon.
Place the salmon into the coldest section of the freezer. Do not store the salmon near the freezer’s door, or it could be exposed to air and become freezer burned.
How Long Does Salmon Last
Unlike most types of fish, salmon has a short lifespan. It is best to cook raw salmon the same day you purchase it.
Raw salmon has a shelf life of 2 days when stored on the fridge.
On the other hand, cooked or smoked salmon will only last 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
You can also freeze salmon. Salmon has a lifespan of 2-3 months in the freezer if it is stored in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag.
What Happens if I Eat Bad Salmon?
Salmon is a nutritious superfood. Salmon is a protein-rich food that contains high quantities of omega-3 fatty acids.
Omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial for heart health and can decrease obesity and thyroid disease risks.
Why would you want to waste salmon when it is so good for you and costs more than other types of fish?
The consequences of eating spoiled salmon are not worth it. The salmon could contain bacteria that cannot be seen with the naked eye and could lead to food poisoning.
Even if you cook spoiled salmon, it will not destroy the bacteria if the bacteria has already released toxins within the meat cooking.
You could end up experiencing diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fever, and nausea.
Food poisoning symptoms can be mild or severe and may develop within several hours after consumption or several days after consumption.
Nevertheless, if you experience a high fever or dehydration after consuming bad salmon, go to a doctor.
Remember, when it comes to eating spoiled salmon, it’s best to be safe and discard the salmon than sorry and end up with foodborne illness.
How To Tell if Salmon Is Bad
We have all forgotten about the salmon stored at the back of the fridge.
However, knowing whether it is good or bad can prevent us from developing food poisoning.
Color
Fresh salmon generally has a bright pink color. However, salmon can also have a rosy, slightly orange color. If raw salmon is gray, discard it immediately because it is not safe.
Leftover salmon can spoil too. If you leave it out at room temperature for more than 2 hours, it could be riddled with bacteria.
In addition to this, if your leftover salmon is pale or discolored, throw it in the trash.
Aroma
The nose is an excellent spoilage detector. Salmon is a variety of fish, so it has an odor. Raw salmon has a mild fresh aroma.
However, an overly fishy odor is a clear indicator of spoilage. It is spoiled if one whiff of the salmon makes your face curl in disgust.
White Lines
Good salmon has defined beautiful white lines running all over the fish. A clear indicator of spoilage is fish without these beautiful white lines.
If your salmon has scattered gray lines, the salmon is spoiled and not safe to eat.
Spring Back
Just like a cake, fresh salmon will spring back when pressed with a finger. This is a clear sign the salmon is safe to eat.
On the other hand, if the salmon sinks or remains dimpled, throw the salmon in the trash.
Firm Flesh
In the same way, salmon should spring back when touched; the salmon’s flesh should remain together. Fresh salmon is supposed to be firm, not soft.
If the salmon’s flesh breaks apart when touched, the salmon is spoiled and should be thrown out.
Final Thoughts
Salmon is a delicious, nutritious fish. Even though we crave salmon, we cant always cook salmon right away.
It’s easy to forget how long your salmon has been in the fridge, making it that much harder to determine whether it is good or bad.
Luckily, you know how to tell if salmon is bad, so you won’t make the mistake of eating spoiled salmon.
You might also be interested in:
- How To Tell If Turkey Is Bad
- How To Tell If Shrimp Is Bad
- How To Tell If Lobster Is Bad
- How To Tell If Fish Is Bad
- How To Tell If Pork Chops Are Bad
- How To Tell If Eggplant Is Bad
I have been smoking and grilling meat from an early age and enjoy sharing my knowledge and expertise through the hundreds of articles I have written about BBQ. I hope to make everyone’s BBQ journey that little bit easier.