Here's How Long Smoked Salmon Is Good For After Opening

Smoked salmon is a seafood treat high in essential nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids. There's really no wrong way to enjoy it since it goes with practically anything, so long as you enjoy its smoky flavor. Unless, that is, you find that it's spoiled in the fridge since the last time you opened it. Sadly, seafood tends to not last very long, and smoked salmon is little different. But how long exactly does smoked salmon stay good for once you open the package?

That depends on many different factors, including the temperature it's kept at and, for some foods, other things that it's stored with. On average, smoked salmon and related salmon products like lox last up to one week after you've opened the package. Before it's opened, smoked salmon lasts two to three weeks with refrigeration. In the freezer, it can last up to three months as long as it's kept in a sealed container.

You can tell if your smoked salmon has gone bad if it has any discoloration, sliminess, or a foul smell. If you suspect that it's expired, throw it away immediately. Do not taste it to test. If you see that the edges of the salmon have dried out, but it shows no other signs of spoiling, it's likely still safe to eat. Just cut away the dried edges first.

It's possible to make your smoked salmon last a little longer in the fridge if you're not quite ready to finish it just yet. The order you put foods in your fridge matters since some shelves are colder than others. The best place for smoked salmon is likely to be the bottom shelf in the back, since that's the coldest spot. To prevent cross-contamination, keep it away from other raw foods, like the raw chicken waiting out its time in your fridge.

To give your smoked salmon as much time as possible, don't open the package or take it out of the refrigerator until you're ready to use the fish. When you do open it, try and use the entire package if possible. If not, take out only as much as you need and immediately put the rest back in the fridge. Don't leave the rest out, lest it enter the temperature "danger zone" (defined by the USDA as between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit).

When it's time to put your opened smoked salmon in the fridge or freezer, take it out of the packaging and either wrap it in plastic wrap or store it in a sealable plastic bag. Press the air out to minimize bacteria exposure and help it last longer. Whether it's in the original packaging or not, keep smoked salmon away from anything strong-smelling, especially in the freezer, since it can absorb odors from other foods.