How to Tell If Cooked Salmon Is Bad?
Salmon is one of the most popular fish in the world because of its amazing flavor and texture. It is a common ingredient in Western seafood dishes because it does not have that many fishbones that need to be taken out to eat. A fresh smoked salmon dinner makes everyone’s night memorable.
But salmon can go bad after cooking if not stored properly or because of time and attacks from harmful microbes. Eating cooked salmon that has gone bad poses great health risks. That is why it is important to figure out if the salmon you are about to eat has gotten bad or not. It can be a difficult thing to assess if you do not have some guidance.
Here, I will thoroughly discuss all the signs that you should notice to make sure that the salmon that you are eating is fresh and has not gone bad.
This will not only save you from tasting bad salmon accidentally but will also save you from the potential physical sickness that you would have gotten by eating bad salmon. So read along to know about all the signs that indicate that the cooked salmon has gone bad.
How to Tell if Cooked Salmon Is Bad? 6 Signs to Notice
Salmon is a flavorsome fish. Its texture and taste attract thousands of people to visit their local seafood chains. People also cook salmon on the stovetop, the grill, or even the oven. Sometimes you might cook more than you can finish in one sitting and store it for the future.
But after you take it out from the refrigerator, you might have some doubts about the condition of the cooked salmon. You might be suspecting that the cooked salmon has gone bad but cannot be sure about it. There are some indications or signs that you can notice and examine to understand the situation better.
The signs that you must notice carefully while handling cooked salmon to assess whether or not it has gone bad are all discussed in the passages below. Follow them carefully to make sure that you never mistakenly eat salmon that has gone bad.
Notice the Color
Fresh salmon has a distinctive red, orange, and pink color. This color is vibrant and looks very fresh when the salmon is cooked properly. You can notice this color right after the salmon is done cooking. Although this vibrant color fades a little as time progresses, it does not go away completely.
But in the salmon that has gone bad, this color becomes very dull as the salmon looks more silvery or gray. This is an indication that the salmon might have been going bad. Another common sign of the cooked salmon going bad is that there are green, blue, grey, or black spots on the salmon. These are molds that have formed on the cooked fish.
So try to see if the salmon has gotten discolored, grey, silver, blue, green, or black as these are clear indications that the salmon has gone bad and cannot be eaten. Otherwise, if the color is still vibrant, pink, red, and orange, then the salmon is safe to it.
Examine the Smell
Another great indication of the quality of the salmon is the smell that comes out of the cooked fish. Leftover salmon usually does not have any odor or strong smell. Salmon usually loses most of its smell if you store it in the fridge so there should not be any smell coming from the cooked salmon.
So if you notice any strong, sour, or foul smell coming from the cooked fish then you should be sure that the fish has gone bad. The smell is sometimes like ammonia or urine. These are clear indications that the cooked salmon has gone bad and should not be eaten.
Therefore, you should carefully notice the smell that is coming from the cooked salmon to understand whether the salmon has gone bad or not. Any type of smell coming out from the fish indicates the possibility that it might have spoiled.
Notice the Texture
Cooked salmon should have a very distinctive dry and flaky texture that runs along the grains of the fish. You can feel this texture when you eat cooked salmon. The fish breaks apart slowly and there is no slimy texture inside the fish.
But the cooked salmon has gone bad if you notice any slimy texture on the salmon. The slimy texture is a clear indication that the salmon has gone bad. The loss of flaky texture and the presence of the slimes are signs that the cooked salmon has spoiled and is no longer safe for consumption.
So try to notice with your eyes and your fingers to find any slimy texture on the surface and the inside of the cooked salmon to figure out if it has gone bad or not.
Check for Molds
You should also check for molds on the cooked salmon because molds are the clearest indication that the cooked salmon has gotten infested by harmful bacteria and fungus and it is no longer safe to eat. Molds form when the food starts to go bad as these microbes start to break the food down.
Molds usually have black, grey, silver, white, blue, and green colors. Sometimes, they also look like white powder forming on top of food. Molds look like veins on the food. Notice the cooked salmon to see if there are any signs of mold formation. Discard the salmon if you find black, grey, silver, white, blue, or green spots on the salmon.
I would suggest that you throw away your cooked salmon if you notice any sort of mold forming on it. Molds contain harmful microbes that can cause serious sickness.
Check the Expiration Dates
Be aware of the expiration dates of the salmon when you cook. The salmon might go bad very soon after cooking if you cook a fish that has gotten past the expiration date. Salmon should always be cooked fresh as old salmon does not taste good.
Check the expiration dates carefully before you cook the salmon. Try to make sure that the cooked salmon is not made from salmon that has passed the expiration dates. I would say that the expiration date is also a clear indication to understand if the salmon has gone bad. Do not cook or eat the salmon if it has gotten past the expiration date.
Scrutinize the Cooking Method
The cooking method also has a direct effect on making sure that the cooked salmon does not go bad easily. USDA recommends cooking the salmon until the internal temperature of the salmon registers at 145 F or 63 C. Your salmon will spoil faster if you do not cook it up to that temperature.
So your cooking method is also a sign that your salmon might be going bad. Make sure that you bring the internal temperature of the salmon to 145 F or 63 C to ensure that everyone can enjoy that cooked salmon safely.
How Long Is Salmon Good in the Fridge?
Raw salmon lasts about 2 days in the fridge before it starts to spoil. Cooked salmon can stay in the fridge for 3-4 days before spoiling.
What Happens if You Eat Cooked Salmon That Has Gone Bad?
You will get sick if you eat cooked salmon that has gone bad.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Reheat Cooked Salmon?
Yes, you can easily reheat cooked salmon in the microwave oven, saucepan, regular oven, or even in a crockpot.
Is It Safe to Eat Discolored Cooked Salmon?
No, it is not safe to eat discolored cooked salmon as it might contain harmful microbes like mold, bacteria, and fungi.
How to Safely Cook Salmon?
To safely cook salmon, make sure that it gets cooked until the internal temperature of the salmon registers at 145 F or 63 C.
How Should I Store Salmon?
You should store raw salmon by wrapping it in plastic and putting it in the freezer. You can store cooked salmon in the fridge after you put it inside an airtight container.
Conclusion
Salmon is inarguably one of the most delicious fishes in the world and it is enjoyed by people from all walks of life. You should store your cooked salmon carefully and notice all the visual signs and smells to make sure that you never accidentally eat spoiled salmon.
