Can you eat smoked salmon 2 days after the use-by date?

In this brief guide, we are going to answer the question “can you eat smoked salmon 2 days after the use-by date” with an in-depth analysis of whether or not you can eat a smoked salmon that is past the use-by date. Moreover, we are going to discuss tips to properly store smoked salmon.

Can you eat smoked salmon 2 days after the use-by date?

Before deciding whether or not you can eat a smoked salmon that is past its use-by date, you first have to know what is a use-by date.

So the use-by date refers to the date that is marked on the packaging of the perishable food commodities and it refers to the time by which you should consume that food. 

Generally unopened smoked salmon lasts for about 2-3 weeks past the sell-by date while once opened it lasts for about a week when properly stored in the fridge at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. 

According to USDA, you should consume your smoked salmon before the use-by date but whether or not you are going to eat a properly stored smoked salmon (stored at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit the whole time) that is 2 days past the use-by date mainly depends upon your decision (you should do a sensory evaluation of smoked salmon).

Certain indicators point out bad smoked salmon, therefore you should consider the appearance, color, texture, and smell of your smoked salmon to reach a final verdict whether it is still suitable to consume or not.

  1. If you notice that the smoked salmon has discolored or if it is dull in appearance then it is an indication that smoked salmon is past its prime time.
  1. When touching the smoked salmon, if you notice that your smoked salmon is slimy or gooey then it means that it has gone bad and it is better to discard it.
  1. If you smell something sour, pungent or if you notice a very intense fish odor while taking a sniff test of your smoked salmon then it very well means that your smoked salmon has gone bad and you should discard it.  

Thus, you should consider the points discussed above while deciding whether or not you are going to devour a smoked salmon that is 2 days past the use-by date.

Moreover, when it comes to the use-by date then you can use the smoked salmon that is past this date provided that it was already stored properly in the freezer (before the use-by date).

It is worth mentioning that the way you have stored your smoked salmon also impacts the shelf life of smoked salmon. 

For instance, if your smoked salmon was stored for more than 2 hours in the open (or more than 1 hour if the temperature is above 90 degrees Fahrenheit) then it is better to discard it as bacteria grow best at 40 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit and there are chances of your smoked salmon to be already bacteria-laden in this case.

On the other hand, the smoked salmon that is properly refrigerated the whole time at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below can be suitable to consume for quite a while provided that there are no signs of spoilage associated with it.

Other FAQs about Smoked Salmon which you may be interested in.

How long does smoked salmon last?

Does smoked salmon go bad?

Tips to properly store smoked salmon

  1. You should always store your smoked salmon at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Bacterial growth takes place at a faster pace between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit therefore it is always advised to store your smoked salmon at a lower temperature to preserve its freshness and quality for a long time.
  1. It is advised to always store the smoked salmon on the shelf of the refrigerator rather than the door as there can be a lot of temperature fluctuations at the door of the fridge that can degrade the quality of the smoked salmon.
  1. In case you want to freeze the smoked salmon, it is best practice to wrap it in heavy-duty aluminum foil or thick plastic wrap before putting it in a plastic freezer bag. By doing so you will prevent freezer burns on your smoked salmon. Smoked salmon lasts for about 2-3 months when stored properly in the freezer. You can even vacuum seal the smoked salmon before storing it in the freezer.
  1. Frozen smoked salmon can be thawed in the refrigerator overnight. The smoked salmon that is thawed this way, can stay in the refrigerator for about 3-4 days before reheating and consuming it. If you thaw your salmon in a bowl of cold water or the microwave, it is advised to immediately reheat till its internal temperature rises to 165  degrees Fahrenheit and consume it. 

You can read how to make easy and tender smoked salmon fillet here.

Conclusion

In this brief guide, we answered the question “can you eat smoked salmon 2 days after the use-by date” with an in-depth analysis of whether or not you can eat a smoked salmon that is past the use-by date. Moreover, we discussed tips to properly store smoked salmon.

Citations

https://www.thesun.co.uk/fabulous/food/8908886/food-last-longer-sell-by-date/

https://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/food_and_recipes/875375-Smoked-salmon-2-days-past-use-by-would-you-eat

https://www.stilltasty.com/fooditems/index/18253

https://www.stilltasty.com/fooditems/index/18252

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