How To Tell If Salmon Is Bad Or Not – Tips You Should Know

Salmon is one popular fish due to its health benefits and delicious taste. Many opt for this fish in supermarkets because of how easy and simple it is to cook. Some even prefer to eat this fish raw since it’s juicy and fatty. Salmon is the best choice of fish to bake, steam, and grill that a lot of people stock up on this type of fish to cook anytime.

But sometimes, you can’t help but forget about the salmon you’ve kept in the freezer for too long. Now that you decided on cooking it, a week has probably gone by and you’re wondering if the fish has already spoiled.

How to tell if salmon is bad before you cook it? We’ll help you distinguish the many ways you can tell if your salmon has spoiled or not. With these tips, you’ll know whether to say goodbye and throw away bad salmon or if they’re still good enough to be eaten.

How To Tell If Salmon Is Bad

Consuming spoiled food is dangerous as it will cause food poisoning. You have to be careful when storing fish since the shelf life is shorter than most food products.

There are many ways to tell if salmon has spoiled or not:

1. Change In Color

Salmon is known for its bright pink and orange color. When cooked, the color turns opaque with a shade of light orange. The moment you spot your salmon with a dull or pale color that’s far from pink and orange, it’s already gone bad. So check the color at once.

2. Foul Smell

Check your salmon by smelling it. Fresh salmon will not have a sour fishy odor. It will smell fresh like the sea. If you detect a foul and strong fishy smell, that means your salmon has spoiled.

3. Check The Texture

Fresh salmon is known for its firm and slightly bouncy texture. Touch the salmon and see if it falls apart or breaks up. If it does, then your salmon has gone bad and you should throw it away.

4. Check The Expiration Date

Check the packaging of the salmon you bought to see if there’s any expiration date. If you’re way past the expiration date, then it’s better to dispose of the fish properly rather than take your chances and cook it. It might have already gone bad and you could cause serious food poisoning by cooking expired salmon.

5. Spot Discoloration On The Fish’s Eyes

If you bought salmon with its head still intact, check the eyes. Fresh salmon will have their eyes look clear and bulging. If the salmon’s eyes are discolored and sunken, then the salmon is no longer fresh.

These 5 tips on how to tell if salmon is bad are helpful and can save you from cooking up a bad meal for your family. Save yourself a trip to the hospital by following those tips above.

Now that you know how to check if salmon has gone bad, it’s time you should be aware of how to keep salmon from spoiling.

Salmon Storage Tips

What is the ideal salmon shelf life? It is recommended that you must eat your salmon 1 to 2 days after you bought it. You may keep it in the refrigerator if you’re planning on eating it within 2 days. But if you’re not going to eat it anytime soon, keep it in the freezer. Salmon will last up to 3 months in the freezer.

You may store salmon in an air-tight container. Exposure to the air inside the freezer will cause it to go bad fast. Do the same if you are planning on keeping it in the refrigerator. Don’t just put it on a plate and cover it lightly with plastic. Make sure the whole fish is sealed. Also, put a date so you’ll know when you bought the fish and when it will likely expire.

Salmon Cooking Tips

As mentioned above, salmon is the ideal fish for so many dinners since it’s easy to cook. Here are some ideas on how to cook them:

1. Baked

Bake salmon with lemon, rosemary, garlic, salt, and pepper in foil to lock in moisture and have it cook in its juice. It’s a simple recipe that takes 15 to 20 minutes at 375°F.

2. Pan-Seared

Searing salmon makes it crisp and well done on the outside while the inside is still soft and juicy. Sear your salmon in a pan with lemon, butter, and garlic for a delicious and quick meal.

3. Steamed

If you’re not a fan of pan-frying or baking your salmon and want to keep it light, you may steam it. Steamed salmon is a healthy option. Prepare a yogurt sauce for it with dill, lemon, salt, and pepper for a more delicious meal.

How To Tell If Salmon Is Cooked

How to tell if salmon is done? If the salmon meat is no longer translucent, then it’s done. If it’s opaque, you may already take it out of the pan and eat it.

We also mentioned that salmon can be eaten raw. But not all parts of it can be eaten fresh out of the supermarket. There are different cuts sold if you’d like to consume it raw. They’re known as sashimi cuts like how Japanese sushi places offer them. But be careful when eating raw salmon. Not everyone’s stomach is accustomed to eating it.

Salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acid which provides healthy brain function. It’s a sought-after kind of fish and it’s recommended to have it twice a week. With these cooking tips, you’ll be able to have a delicious variety of cooked salmon for your family.

How to tell if salmon is bad? Look no further with these tips. You’ll be able to properly store salmon and know when to consume it before it goes bad.

Do you have any favorite salmon tips or recipes? Let us know! We’d love to read more salmon cooking and storage tips from you.