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    Home » Storage

    Can You Freeze Cooked Salmon?

    By Admin · Published November 3, 2021 · Updated May 26, 2022 · 5 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    Jump to instructions Print Recipe
    How to freeze cooked salmon with a text title overlay.
    How to freeze cooked salmon with a text title overlay.
    How to freeze cooked salmon with a text title overlay.
    How to freeze cooked salmon with a text title overlay.
    How to freeze cooked salmon with a text title overlay.
    How to freeze cooked salmon with a text title overlay.
    How to freeze cooked salmon with a text title overlay.

    Salmon is a popular fish as it is easy to cook and really versatile. Not to mention it has lots of health benefits like being full of Omega-3s. It is fairly expensive though, so if you want to learn how to freeze cooked salmon, then we have all the tips for you.

    A full side of cooked salmon topped with slices of lemon.

    Cooked salmon freezes really well and it can be stored for up to 3 months. Once it is fully cooled, split into individual portions and wrap in cling-film (plastic wrap). Make sure the fish is completely enclosed. Place the wrapped fish into freezer bags and label and date the bag and place into your freezer.
    If it is not stored correctly, or if it is frozen for too long, the risk of food poisoning will increase.

    Continue reading to see how to defrost salmon safely and advice on reheating as well as recipes that use salmon.

    Jump to:
    • 📋What you will need
    • 🧾 Step by step
    • 🧊 Does cooked salmon freeze well?
    • ⏲️How soon should cooked salmon be frozen?
    • ⚖️How much salmon should be frozen?
    • 🗓️How long can you freeze cooked salmon for?
    • 👃How to tell when cooked salmon has gone bad
    • ❄️How to defrost frozen salmon
    • 🧊Can defrosted salmon be refrozen?
    • 🍳Can you reheat cooked salmon?
    • 🥙How to use leftover salmon
    • 💬 Comments

    📋What you will need

    • Cooked salmon
    • Cling-film - Plastic food wrap, also known as Saran Wrap.
    • Freezer bags - Any food storage freezer bags will work, we used ziploc.

    🧾 Step by step

    One: Allow the cooked salmon to cool completely.

    A plate containing flaked cooked salmon.

    Two: Divide into individual portions and wrap in cling-film (plastic wrap). Make sure the fish is completely enclosed.

    Flakes of cooked salmon on top of some plastic wrap and then wrapped up.

    Three: Place the wrapped fish into freezer bags.

    A ziploc freezer bag containing wrapped portions of salmon.

    Four: Label and date the bag and place into your freezer.

    Portions of salmon in a freezer bag with a label and date written on it.

    🧊 Does cooked salmon freeze well?

    Salmon freezes very well indeed. If stored using the methods here and kept for no longer than 3 months in the freezer, your salmon will taste just as good as when cooked fresh.

    ⏲️How soon should cooked salmon be frozen?

    We would recommend freezing your cooked salmon as soon as it has cooled. However, cooked salmon can be kept in the fridge for up to 3 days.

    If your cooked salmon is older than 3 days, it should be discarded.

    ⚖️How much salmon should be frozen?

    When cooked, salmon typically loses around 25% of its weight. A standard 120g (4oz) fillet will weigh around 90g (3oz) when cooked.

    Portion out the cooked salmon to 90g (3oz) each and wrap each portion individually.

    Two cooked salmon fillets on a plate with a fork cutting one.

    🗓️How long can you freeze cooked salmon for?

    Cooked salmon will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. If you keep it frozen for longer than this it will start to lose its flavour and will also run the risk of freezer burn.

    👃How to tell when cooked salmon has gone bad

    You can tell if cooked salmon has gone bad by the smell and consistency. If it has a sour and overly fishy smell, then it has probably gone bad. If it has a slimy consistency, rather than flakey texture, then it needs to be thrown away. Eating salmon that has gone bad risks food poisoning.

    ❄️How to defrost frozen salmon

    The best way to defrost frozen salmon is to place it in the fridge the day before you plan to use it. Keep it in its wrapping and put it onto a plate. Put the plate in the fridge at night and it will be ready for use the next day.

    You can defrost the frozen salmon in your microwave, but make sure to use your microwave's defrost setting. This will defrost it slowly and gently. Microwave defrosting on a higher heat will dry the salmon out. Even defrosting using the defrost setting can dry out food. We always recommend defrosting in the fridge overnight.

    A half side of uncooked salmon sat on crushed ice.

    🧊Can defrosted salmon be refrozen?

    Salmon should only be frozen once. This is why it should be portioned out before freezing. That way you can defrost as much or as little as you need, reducing food waste.

    🍳Can you reheat cooked salmon?

    Absolutely! Cooked salmon can be reheated in many ways. You can simply microwave it or fry it in a pan with a little oil.

    Our recommended way of reheating cooked salmon is to loosely wrap it in some foil with a splash of water, oil or lemon juice and heat in the oven. Heat your oven to 150°C/300°F/Gas 2 and cook the wrapped salmon for 15 minutes.

    A salmon fillet cooking in a frying pan.

    🥙How to use leftover salmon

    Once you have defrosted your frozen cooked salmon, you might be looking for some ways to use it in recipes. Why not try these Salmon Fishcakes, Salmon and Egg Scramble, Easy Salmon Wrap, Salmon Spring Rolls, 10 Minute Salmon Gnocchi or Salmon Soufflé.

    By following the method in this post, you will ensure that no cooked salmon is wasted and that it is frozen and defrosted safely.

    Cooked salmon on a baking tray.
    Print
    5 from 5 votes

    How to freeze cooked salmon

    Salmon can be fairly expensive, so if you want to learn how to freeze cooked salmon, then we have all the tips for you.
    Active Time2 mins
    Total Time2 mins
    Yield: 5 portions
    Cost: £1.60

    Equipment

    • Cling film
    • Freezer bags

    Materials

    • 5 portions Cooked salmon (about 90g/3oz each)
    • 5 squares cling film (plastic wrap)
    • 1 freezer bag

    Instructions

    • Allow the cooked salmon to cool completely.
      5 portions Cooked salmon
      A plate containing flaked cooked salmon.
    • Divide into individual portions and wrap in cling-film (plastic wrap). Make sure the fish is completely enclosed.
      5 squares cling film (plastic wrap)
      Flakes of cooked salmon on top of some plastic wrap and then wrapped up.
    • Place the wrapped fish into freezer bags.
      1 freezer bag
      A ziploc freezer bag containing wrapped portions of salmon.
    • Label and date the bag and place into your freezer.
      Portions of salmon in a freezer bag with a label and date written on it.
    « How To Cut Butternut Squash

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Elaine Benoit says

      November 04, 2021 at 3:00 pm

      5 stars
      Love this post. For some reason, I don't like eating salmon leftover (at least the next day.) Now I don't have to force myself to eat it the day after but I can enjoy it a few weeks later after freezing it. Yay! Hubby will be happy too.

      Reply
    2. Sharon says

      November 04, 2021 at 3:05 pm

      5 stars
      This is a brilliant idea! I prefer to buy a whole salmon filet but we can't finish it in one sitting. I will try freezing some for later.

      Reply
    3. Michelle says

      November 04, 2021 at 3:26 pm

      5 stars
      Thanks for sharing your tips on how to freeze cooked salmon -- we love salmon so we always have extra, now I know what to do!

      Reply
    4. Gina says

      November 04, 2021 at 3:49 pm

      5 stars
      Great idea - never really thought to freeze cooked salmon but it makes future meals a heck of a lot easier and great way to be able to buy an entire filet, cook it and then not have to eat salmon for 3 days in a row!

      Reply
    5. Toni says

      November 04, 2021 at 4:44 pm

      5 stars
      This is really helpful! Thank you for the tips!

      Reply

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