To preserve its freshness, whole or cut salmon should be stored in the refrigerator or freezer as soon after purchase as possible. Wrap fresh salmon loosely in clear plastic wrap and use within 2 days of purchase. Cover and refrigerate any leftover cooked salmon and consume within 2 days as well.

At Salmon123.com, we recommend the purchase of a good refrigerator-freezer thermometer to accurately regulate the temperature at which your salmon is stored. To best keep salmon, set the refrigerator temperature close to freezing (32º F), and the freezer temperature below 0º F.

Refrigerated salmon that has not been frozen is good for 36 hours. However, the quality of salmon in a refrigerator with a setting near 40º F will decay rapidly. Fresh salmon stored in your home's freezer should be consumed within 4 months, while commercially frozen Salmon has a shelf life of 8 months.

TIP: To protect whole salmon from freezer burn and oxidation, it should be frozen with the skin and head.