Is Salmon Still Good After the Expiration Date?

As a seafood lover, I often find myself with salmon in my fridge that’s passed its printed expiration date. But before tossing it in the trash, I usually pause and wonder – can I still eat this? Is it still safe? Salmon’s one of those foods that seems like it could last a bit longer if stored properly

To find the answer I did some research on how to tell if expired salmon is okay to eat or destined for the compost bin. Here’s a breakdown of what I learned after looking into storage methods signs of spoilage, and ways to make the most of salmon past its prime.

How to Store Salmon for Maximum Freshness

Proper storage is key to getting the longest life out of fresh salmon before that expiration date rolls around. Here are some tips I’ve picked up:

• Keep salmon chilled at 40°F or below. The coldest part of the fridge extends shelf life.

• Wrap tightly in plastic wrap or put in an airtight container. Exposure to air speeds up spoilage.

• Freeze for long-term storage. Wrapping in foil prevents freezer burn.

• Cooked salmon keeps for 3-4 days maximum in the fridge in a sealed container.

• Avoid overcrowding the refrigerator. Too much food restricts airflow and cooling.

• Clean the fridge regularly to inhibit bacteria growth.

Following cold storage best practices helps ensure salmon stays fresher longer. But what if you discover that expiration date has already passed?

Assessing Salmon After the Expiration Date

Finding expired salmon in your fridge doesn’t necessarily mean you have to throw it away. Check for these signs to see if it’s still usable:

• Strong odor – Fresh salmon has a neutral, mild scent. Foul smells mean spoilage.

• Slimy texture – The flesh should feel firm and moist. Stickiness indicates bacteria growth.

• Discoloration – The color should be bright orange/pink. Grayish hues signal the salmon is bad.

• Dry appearance – Properly stored salmon looks glossy, not dried out. Dull or dry shows moisture loss.

If expired salmon exhibits any of these characteristics, it’s best to play it safe and toss it. But if it still looks and smells okay, it might be fine for cooking or other uses.

Consuming Salmon After the Expiration Date

While eating expired food is generally not advised, salmon stored correctly may still be safe past its date, especially if it’s been frozen. Here are some factors to consider:

• Time elapsed – Salmon closer to its date has lower risk than salmon exceeding it by many days or weeks.

• Previous freezing – Frozen then thawed salmon keeps longer than fresh.

• Opened packaging – Unopened vacuum-sealed salmon lasts longer than opened.

• Purchase date uncertain – Salmon with no printed date is higher risk.

• Cooking method – Cooking expired salmon thoroughly reduces bacteria risk more than eating raw.

Though there’s no way to eliminate the risks completely, responsible storage, checking for spoilage indicators, and proper cooking can reduce chances of illness from expired salmon.

Safely Using Expired Salmon

If you don’t feel comfortable eating expired salmon plain, there are other safe ways to put it to use:

• Cook in dishes like salmon cakes or chowder that reach 165°F internal temperature. High heat destroys bacteria.

• Add to boldly flavored preparations like spicy salmon croquettes that can mask “off” tastes.

• Make salmon stock from the bones/scraps. Boiling for an hour kills any potential pathogens.

• Turn inedible portions into garden fertilizer. Salmon provides beneficial nutrients for plants.

Even if the salmon can’t be salvaged, these techniques reduce waste and get additional value from fish past its prime.

Key Takeaways on Expired Salmon

To recap, here are my top tips after researching how to tell if salmon’s expired but still okay to eat:

• Check carefully for foul odors, slime, and off-coloring – discard if present.

• If it looks and smells normal, cooked expired salmon that was properly stored may be safe.

• Previously frozen and vacuum-sealed salmon keeps longer than fresh or opened.

• Cook older salmon thoroughly rather than eating raw.

• When in doubt, repurpose unusable salmon.

While you can’t remove all risk from eating foods past recommended dates, following smart storage and handling practices can help cut down on the dangers. If that expired salmon seems at all questionable, don’t chance it! Trust your judgment.