All about the shelf life of salmon

September 16, 2021

3 min read

That fresh salmon fillet with skin was a little bigger than your appetite after all? Fortunately, the shelf life of salmon allows it to be stored in the fridge for a few days without any problems. But how many days will salmon remain edible in the fridge? And can you simply reheat salmon? Our experts know and answer the most frequently asked questions.

6 answers about the shelf life of salmon

1. What is the best way to store salmon?

The cold chain, meaning the time between purchase and refrigeration at home, should not be interrupted. Fresh fish is usually placed in the refrigerator after purchase. Microorganisms in the air affect the shelf life of any food. The low temperatures in the refrigerator ensure that these organisms are less active and thus extend the shelf life of food. This is also the case with salmon. Fresh salmon fillets can be kept refrigerated for about one to three days. Please note the best-before date.

2. What can I do to extend the shelf life?

Fresh salmon and smoked salmon from SWISS LACHS can be deep-frozen for about 10 weeks. It is best to vacuum seal the product again before freezing.

3. What is the best way to defrost the salmon fillet?

If you want to defrost the salmon fillet, you should leave it in the refrigerator overnight so that you can prepare it the next day. If you want to marinate the fish, you can do this while it is defrosting. This gives the marinade enough time to soak into the fish. Lemon juice, on the other hand, “cooks” the fish enzymatically. It is therefore advisable to add it just before further processing.

4. How can I tell if I can still eat the salmon or not?

It is best to smell the raw salmon to see if it has a bad odour. If it smells pungent, fishy or ammonia-like, it is probably bad. Fresh salmon should have a very mild smell. A sign of spoiled raw fish is a white, translucent skin on the surface.

You can also check the consistency of the salmon. Fresh salmon should always be firm and hold together. If the salmon fillet feels like it is falling apart when you touch it, please do not prepare it.

You can also tell how fresh salmon is by its colour. If the salmon fillet has white lines running through it, this indicates freshness.

5. Can salmon be frozen?

Yes, you can freeze both fresh and smoked SWISS LACHS.

6. Can salmon be reheated?

Yes, you can usually reheat salmon. However, do not leave cooked salmon at room temperature for more than two hours. If the fish is not cooled beforehand, bacteria will form.