How long does salmon last in the fridge

That Moment of Doubt: Is Your Salmon Still Safe?

You finally treat yourself to a nice dinner—perfectly pan-seared salmon with a sprinkle of herbs and a squeeze of lemon. After plating, you tuck the leftover fillet into the fridge, expecting tomorrow’s lunch to be quick and healthy. Then two days pass, you open the fridge door, and a little voice asks, “How long does salmon last in the fridge?” If you’ve been there, you’re in good company. A little knowledge about how long does salmon last in the fridge—and whether it can happily sit in the freezer—will keep you from tossing food and fretting over your next meal.

How Long Does Salmon Last in the Fridge?

Fresh Raw Salmon

You picked up the fillet from the fish counter that morning; now how long does salmon last in the fridge before turning risky?

Storage Time: Uncooked salmon stays good for around one to two days in the fridge.
Conditions: Make sure the temperature is steady at or below 40°F (4°C).
Label Check: Give the “sell-by” date a glance. Ideally, eat it the same day you bring it home.

Quick Tip: Wondering where to stash salmon in the fridge? Try the coldest spot, which is usually right at the back of the bottom shelf.

Cooked Salmon

Once you’re done cooking, the salmon has a little extra staying power:

How Long It Lasts: It’ll keep well for about three to four days in the fridge.
How to Store It: Either pop it into an airtight container or wrap it tightly in aluminum foil or plastic film.

Still, don’t let the calendar be your only guide. You should also listen to your nose and give the fish a little poke when asking yourself how long does salmon last in the fridge.

Signs of Spoilage

Keep an eye out for:

An overly strong, sour, or ammonia-like odor
A slim, sticky coating on the flesh
Blotchy gray patches or a generally dull color

If any of those creep in, toss it, no questions asked. That’s your answer to how long does salmon last in the fridge once it starts to spoil.

Can You Freeze Salmon for Longer Shelf Life?

Raw Salmon in the Freezer

Absolutely—you can freeze salmon without a hitch, especially if you’re unsure how long does salmon last in the fridge.

How Long It Stays Good: Raw salmon can remain tasty for six to nine months if frozen properly.
Best Move: Put it in the freezer as soon as you get home.
Ideal Temperature: Aim to keep your freezer at 0°F (-18°C) or lower.

Cooked Salmon in the Freezer

How Long It Lasts: Cooked salmon will stay good for around two to three months.
Texture Note: If you pull salmon out of the freezer and it seems a little drier than when fresh, don’t worry. That’s normal and it still tastes fine, just give it a gentle reheat.

Freezing Tips

Want your salmon to stay as fresh as possible when it’s in cold storage? Start by wrapping it snugly in plastic wrap, then cover that with a sheet of aluminum foil so the cold can’t sneak in. If you have one handy, sliding it into a vacuum sealer is even better and takes just a moment. Once it’s sealed and labeled with today’s date, tuck the package in the back of your freezer. Keeping it away from the door gives the fish a steadier chill, which means it’ll taste closer to fresh later on—no need to worry about how long does salmon last in the fridge when it’s safe in the freezer.

Reheating and Using Leftover Salmon Safely

Reheating Tips

Nobody wants a plate of rubbery salmon for dinner, so give leftovers a slow and steady comeback. Preheat your oven to a modest 275°F (or 135°C), slide the fish into a covered dish, and let it warm for 10 to 15 minutes. For an extra boost of flavor and moisture, drizzle on a little olive oil or squeeze over some lemon juice right before it goes in. If possible, skip the microwave: it can leave hot spots and cold spots, and the cold spots usually cost you a dry bite.

Fun Ways to Repurpose Leftover Salmon

Instead of letting that extra salmon sit in the fridge, try one of these tasty ideas:

Scatter shredded salmon over a bright green salad for a protein boost.
Fold it into a rich, creamy pasta bake that will please the whole family.
Layer it inside a wrap or sandwich, perhaps with some spicy mayo and crunchy veggies.
Toss it into a pan of fried rice or grain bowl for an instant upgrade.

How Long Different Types of Salmon Will Keep

Salmon Type	Storage Method	Recommended Duration	Quick Tip
Raw (fresh)	Inside the fridge	1 to 2 days	Put it in the coldest spot.
Cooked	Inside the fridge	3 to 4 days	Seal it in an airtight box.
Raw	In the freezer	6 to 9 months	Vacuum sealing is ideal.
Cooked	In the freezer	2 to 3 months	Reheat gently to keep it moist.

If you’re ever in doubt and asking “how long does salmon last in the fridge,” check this table for a quick reference.

Simple Tricks to Keep Salmon Fresh

Better Storing Techniques

Want your salmon to last a bit longer and answer the question of how long does salmon last in the fridge with confidence? Try these easy steps:

Pop raw salmon into the fridge right away after you get home from the store.
Dab it lightly with paper towels to soak up any extra moisture before wrapping.
Set the package on a small tray to catch any drips, so other foods stay clean.

Keep an Eye on Temperature

Also, double-check that:

Your refrigerator is always running below 40°F (4°C) to slow spoilage.
Salmon should not stay unrefrigerated for longer than two hours. After that, it’s safer to toss it out.

Recipes for Leftover Salmon

Salmon Pasta Bowl

You’ll Need:

1 cup of cooked salmon, flaked
2 cups of cooked pasta
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1 cup fresh spinach
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan

How to Make It:

Start by warming the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Toss in the minced garlic and sauté until you can smell it—just a minute or so. Next, add the fresh spinach, stirring until it wilts down. At this point, fold in the pasta and flaked salmon, mixing everything gently until warmed through. Give the dish a final splash of lemon juice and a sprinkle of Parmesan before serving. It really comes together in about ten minutes and tastes fantastic.

Common Questions

Is salmon still okay to eat after sitting in the fridge for three days?

If it was cooked, cooled quickly, and wrapped tightly, three days is usually fine. Just check its colour and do a quick smell test first. Still wondering how long does salmon last in the fridge? Stick with 3-4 days for cooked.

What should I do if my salmon smells strong even after one day?

Any sour or overly fishy odour is reason enough to discard it. Fresh salmon should smell mostly like clean sea water, never off or pungent. This helps answer how long does salmon last in the fridge based on freshness, not just time.

Can I freeze salmon that’s been in the fridge for two days?

Yes, you can still freeze it after two days, provided it hasn’t begun to smell or turn slimy. Freezing is great for rescuing fish that is still fresh, but remember that it won’t fix salmon that has already spoiled. If you’re unsure how long does salmon last in the fridge, freezing early is safer.

How long does thawed salmon last in the fridge?

After you have thawed it in the refrigerator, plan to eat the salmon within one or two days. If you decide you need to re-freeze it, make sure it was never warmed up and that it thawed in the fridge to begin with. That still falls within the safe range of how long does salmon last in the fridge.

How do I know if frozen salmon is still good?

As long as it has stayed below zero degrees Fahrenheit, salmon kept raw can be kept for nine months and cooked portions for three. Just watch out for spots that look white and dried out, because those areas signal freezer burn, not quality. If you’ve moved salmon from the freezer to the fridge, go back to the rule of how long does salmon last in the fridge.

Final Thoughts: Respect the Fish, Respect Your Health

Understanding shelf life is about more than odds and numbers—it helps you enjoy fish that is both safe and delicious. Storing salmon properly keeps your meal budget on track, cuts down on food waste, and guarantees flavor when you finally sit down to eat. So whether you are managing leftovers or tucking away portions for next week, a small bit of attention now pays off later. When questions pop up in the kitchen—like how long does salmon last in the fridge—you will already know the right move, and that confidence makes every cooking session a little easier.

Own your kitchen space by beginning with a quick look inside the fridge. If you spot that piece of salmon you bought last week, ask yourself honestly: how long does salmon last in the fridge? Dinner might just have planned itself.