Can You Freeze Smoked Salmon? How to Do It!

Smoked salmon is one of my family's favorite treats. We put it on crepes, crackers, and even bagels. 

My husband loves to fish during the summer, and occasionally he will fly out to Alaska to catch fresh, wild salmon that we save throughout the year. 

To preserve freshly-smoked salmon, you can freeze it to maintain the deliciousness and texture.

Can You Really Freeze Smoked Salmon? 

Yes, you can absolutely freeze smoked salmon! If the smoked salmon is in its original packaging, you can stick it in the freezer and save it for up to three months. 

What if your salmon is freshly caught and you smoke it yourself? 

You will have to get vacuum-sealed bags to squeeze all the air out before putting the fish in the freezer.

Smoked salmon (like regular salmon) can last in your freezer for two-three months if you have the proper packaging. If you make your own smoked salmon, you will want to get the appropriate packaging before putting it in your freezer.

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The Difference Between Salmon and Smoked Salmon

The big difference between salmon and smoked salmon is the process they go through. 

Wild fresh salmon is less widely available and you can cook it as is. If you catch yourself, you can skin it, debone it, and cook it immediately. 

However, if you are looking at smoked salmon, it will have undergone curing by either hot or cold smoke.

Hot Smoked Salmon

This process allows the fish to cook all the way through over hot smoke. It will need to be at a temperature of 120-180F to help produce a fantastic flavor and thorough cooking. 

Cold Smoked Salmon

This is when a piece of fresh salmon cures in salt for 24 hours before smoking. 

The process of cold smoke is at a lot lower temperature than a hot smoking process. The smoker should be set to 75-85F for this type of raw fish.

Love seafood, but prefer shrimp over salmon? Check out this lip-smacking recipe: How to Make Grilled Shrimp Scampi?

How To Package Your Own Smoked Salmon For Freezing

The best way to ensure you can freeze your freshly caught salmon is by buying vacuum-sealed bags. 

You can place your fish in the bag and squeeze all the air out of it. Once you do that, add the best by date before you put it in the freezer. You can add it three months from the day you vacuum sealed the smoked salmon.

How To Properly Reheat Smoked Salmon

You may think you can just pop your smoked salmon in the microwave to reheat and eat. 

Yet, the better way to do it is to reheat your frozen smoked salmon slowly. Put your smoked salmon on a baking sheet and slowly warm it up in your oven. 

Directions:

1. Set your oven to 275 degrees Fahrenheit. 
2. Keep your salmon in there for 15 minutes or until it reaches 125 degrees in the thickest part. 

Note: You don’t need to cook it, just warm it up.

Need a meat thermometer? Check out this one on Amazon. 

You may also like: Can You Eat Chicken Left Out Over Night?

How To Eat Frozen Smoked Salmon

If you are new to the smoked salmon world, brace yourself!

You will soon fall in love with the rich smoky flavor and divinely flaky texture. 

Wondering how to serve this to guests or how to eat at your house for dinner? 

Here are some of my favorite ways to elevate this dish and ensure your family enjoys this tasty snack:

Cucumber Bites

Over the years, I have made my kids and husband try various foods just to expand their palates. This has become a hit throughout the household. 

All you need to do is chop up cucumber circles, add a thin layer of your favorite spreadable cheese, and a thin layer of your cold smoked salmon.

Cold Salad

If you let your salmon thaw overnight, you won't have to reheat it at all. 

You can chop the salmon up and add it to a salad with your favorite dressing. I prefer this with a Caesar or a light Italian dressing.

Avocado Toast/Bagel

Avocado toast is a popular trend and one of my family's favorites as well! 

A thin piece of smoked salmon will totally upgrade your avocado toast and give it a rich new flavor. 

Plus, avocado is another super healthy source of dietary fat!

Crepes

If you have the time and patience to make crepes — try making them savory! 

Add a layer of cream cheese and another smoked salmon, roll it up and enjoy this sweet and salty dish.

Are you interested in learning how to make new salmon recipes? Read our article on how to make the most mouth watering salmon recipes.

Final Thoughts

To recap what we learned today:

• You can easily freeze smoked salmon, and it can last for quite some time. 
• If you vacuum-seal your salmon, you can keep it up to two to three months easily. 
• Once you defrost it, you will only have 24 to 48 hours to eat the smoked salmon.

Smoked salmon is one of the most delicious foods you can find. It is so healthy for you, and will help enhance the flavor of many dishes. 

My favorite thing about smoked salmon is how convenient and quick it is! 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How Long Does Vacuum-Sealed Smoked Salmon Last? 

If you are not planning on putting your smoked salmon in the freezer but plan on vacuum sealing it anyway, you can stick it directly in the fridge. 

In your refrigerator, it will last 2 to 3 weeks as long as it is unopened.

How Often Can You Eat Smoked Salmon? 

You should stick to eating four or fewer oily fish portions per week to watch your mercury levels. 

Note: A portion is 140 grams. 

Buy a digital food scale to make sure you’re eating the correct amount every time!

Can You Get a Parasite From Smoked Salmon? 

The only way to get parasites from fish is if it is:

• entirely raw 
• unclean 
• lightly cured
• cured wrong
• undercooked

Smoked salmon needs brining and curing before eating it. You can read more about raw salmon here.