Shelf Life Tips
- How long does unopened canned salmon last? The precise answer depends to a large extent on storage conditions - to maximize the shelf life of canned salmon (or salmon sold in a vacuum-sealed pouch), store in a cool, dry area.
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How long does unopened canned salmon last at room temperature? Properly stored, unopened canned salmon will generally stay at best quality for about 3 to 5 years, although it will usually remain safe to use after that.
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Is unopened canned salmon safe to use after the "expiration" date on the can or package? Yes, provided it is properly stored and the can or vacuum-sealed pouch is undamaged - commercially packaged salmon 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 canned salmon will remain at peak quality.
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Storage time shown is for best quality only - after that, the canned salmon's texture, color or flavor may change, but in most cases, it will still be safe to consume if it has been stored properly, the package is undamaged, and there are no signs of spoilage (see below).
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How can you tell if canned salmon is bad or spoiled? The best way is to smell and look at the canned salmon: if the canned salmon develops an off odor, flavor or appearance, or if mold appears, it should be discarded.
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Discard all canned salmon from cans or pouches 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
