Shelf Life Tips
- How long does a can of smoked herring last once opened? The precise answer depends to a large extent on storage conditions - keep opened smoked herring refrigerated and tightly covered.
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To maximize the shelf life of canned smoked herring after opening, refrigerate in a covered glass or plastic container.
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How long does opened canned smoked herring last in the refrigerator? Smoked herring that has been continuously refrigerated will keep for about 3 to 4 days.
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Is canned smoked herring safe to use after the "expiration" date on the package? Yes, provided it has been stored properly, the package is undamaged, and there are no signs of spoilage (see below) - commercially packaged smoked herring will typically carry a "Best By," "Best if Used By," "Best Before", or "Best When Used By" date but this is not a safety date, it is the manufacturer's estimate of how long the smoked herring will remain at peak quality.
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To further extend the shelf life of opened canned smoked herring, freeze it: to freeze canned smoked herring, place inside covered airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags.
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How long does canned smoked herring last in the freezer? Properly stored, it will maintain best quality for about 3 months, but will remain safe beyond that time.
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The freezer time shown is for best quality only – canned smoked herring that has been kept constantly frozen at 0°F will keep safe indefinitely.
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How long does canned smoked herring last after being frozen and thawed? Canned smoked herring that has been defrosted in the fridge can be kept for an additional 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator before using; smoked herring that was thawed in the microwave or in cold water should be used immediately.
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How can you tell if opened canned smoked herring is bad or spoiled? The best way is to smell and look at the smoked herring: if the smoked herring develops an off odor, flavor or appearance, or if mold appears, it should be discarded.
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Discard all smoked herring from cans or packages that are leaking, rusting, bulging or severely dented.
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Sources: For details about data sources used for food storage information, please click here
