Salmon salad is a delicious and nutritious meal that can be enjoyed for lunch or dinner. However, it is important to store salmon salad properly to ensure that it does not spoil.
How Long Will Salmon Salad Last in the Fridge?
- Salmon salad made with fresh salmon will last in the fridge for 3-4 days.
- Salmon salad made with canned salmon will last in the fridge for 4-5 days.
Tips for Storing Salmon Salad
- Store salmon salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Do not store salmon salad for more than 5 days.
- If you are not sure how long the salmon salad has been in the fridge, it is best to err on the side of caution and discard it.
Signs that Salmon Salad Has Gone Bad
- The salmon salad has an off smell or taste.
- The salmon salad has changed color.
- The salmon salad has developed mold.
If you see any of these signs, it is important to discard the salmon salad immediately.
How to Extend the Shelf Life of Salmon Salad
There are a few things you can do to extend the shelf life of salmon salad:
- Use fresh, high-quality ingredients.
- Store the salmon salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Do not add mayonnaise or other dairy products to the salmon salad until you are ready to eat it.
- Freeze the salmon salad for up to 2 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I freeze salmon salad?
Yes, you can freeze salmon salad for up to 2 months. However, it is important to note that the texture of the salmon salad may change slightly after freezing.
How do I thaw frozen salmon salad?
To thaw frozen salmon salad, place it in the refrigerator overnight. You can also thaw salmon salad in the microwave on the defrost setting.
Can I eat salmon salad that has been left out at room temperature?
No, you should not eat salmon salad that has been left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours. Salmon salad is a perishable food and can quickly become contaminated with bacteria.
Tips for Best Results
Use salmon that is perfectly cooked. This may seem obvious, but if the fish you start with is moist and tender and is never cooked over 140 degrees Fahrenheit, your salmon salad will turn out much better. This recipe works well for salvaged leftover overcooked salmon, but it’s best to cook the fish thoroughly from the start.
Utilize the freshest herbs you can find. Most people are unaware of how rapidly fresh produce loses flavor when left in the refrigerator. Try to make your grocery trip pretty close to actually making this salmon salad because it really sings with the fresh dill, parsley, scallions, and crunchy celery.
Let it sit. You are more than welcome to eat the salmon salad right away after it has been combined; in fact, I frequently do. However, this will benefit from sitting while the flavors mingle and the dressing seeps into the fish, just like most salads do. The difference of even 15-20 minutes is noticeable.
Does wild vs farmed matter?
It doesn’t matter if the salmon is farmed or wild, fresh or frozen—just about any variety will work in this recipe. However, some varieties definitely taste better than others.
Since farmed salmon is typically more moist and more reasonably priced, I usually like to use an Atlantic variety from a respected retailer like Whole Foods.
When it comes to wild options, the King variety is your best bet for superior flavor because it has more fat than other varieties like Sockeye or Chinook, but be aware that it is highly priced. I find it to be too expensive, especially for a recipe like this one where the fish is flaked, at about $30 per pound.
Allow the cooked salmon fillets to come to room temperature while you prepare the fresh vegetables and dressing.
I like to use fresh scallions, parsley, celery, and dill in my salmon salad:
If you prefer, you can add chopped red onion or minced shallots instead of green onions, but I think scallions taste great in this recipe.
Next, combine the mayonnaise, kosher salt, black pepper, lemon juice, cayenne, smoked paprika, and dijon mustard in a big bowl to make your dressing:
For maximum flavor, I suggest using homemade mayonnaise if you have ten minutes to spare. I make mine with olive oil. While store-bought mayo is acceptable if you have a favorite kind,
If lemon juice isn’t available, you can also use high-quality red wine vinegar in its place.
After the fish is cooked, use a fork to flake it and combine it with the dressing:
Add all the fresh green herbs and veggies too:
Mix everything together until well combined, then take a spoonful and adjust as needed.
Taste and adjust, adding a little more black pepper or extra lemon juice if necessary, but remember that the flavors will meld and the salad will taste more cohesive as it sits. The effect is noticeable in as little as 20 minutes.