One of the most common questions we hear fromAcmecustomers is how to maximize the lifespan of our products. Whether it’s oursmoked salmon,whitefish salad, orherring products, knowing how to optimally store your smoked fish is essential. However, the one product we are asked about more than any other is our lox. With that in mind, we’re happy to share with you our guide on how to keep your lox and smoked salmon fresh!
WHAT IS LOX?
Before we discuss the best methods for preserving the shelf life of your lox, let’s first dive into what lox is, and what makes it unique fromtraditional smoked salmon, since there is a bit of overlap in their preparation. While our teampreviously spoke to Epicuriousabout this topic in depth, we’ll provide a quick synopsis of Ellen Lee-Allen and Adam Caslow’s thoughts on the subject. While smoked salmon is cured and/or brined and finally smoked, lox is simply salt-cured without being smoked. The process was developed before refrigeration was widespread and there was a need for a method of preservation. While lox can be made from whole sides of salmon, belly lox is often considered the most prized, due to its higher fat content. Smoked salmon can also be made with both belly cuts and whole sides, but whole sides are more commonly used for making smoked salmon. The key difference between the two products is the salt-cure time, which is typically longer for lox, and the final smoking stage, which is of course essential to the making of smoked salmon. This gives smoked salmon a distinct flavor from lox, which is typically salty with a fatty-richness to it, but is not smoked at all.
Now that we’ve covered what makes lox and smoked salmon distinct from one another, let’s dive into how best to preserve your lox after purchase.
HOW LONG DOES LOX LAST IN THE FRIDGE?
When it comes to keeping your lox fresh after opening, you’re going to need to keep it refrigerated, or freeze it if you’re intending to keep it long-term. When it comes to storage life for opened or fresh lox from the grocery counter, it will generally last about a week in the refrigerator.
CAN YOU FREEZE LOX?
While it can be kept safely in the fridge for a few days, freezing lox will keep it fresh for much longer. As long as you freeze your lox before the use by date, you can keep it up to 6 months for best quality. To use it afterwards, simply thaw it out in the refrigerator for a day and use it as soon as it’s been thawed!
PURCHASE YOUR LOX FROM ACME SMOKED FISH TODAY!
If you’re looking to purchase lox, Acme Smoked Fish is proud to offer our lox or smoked salmon options for customers to choose from! You canfind smoked salmon and lox onour website's store locator, or come down toFish Fridaysat ourBrooklyn locationto get your lox in person. We look forward to seeing you there, and now you’ll have a couple tips to keep your lox fresh for longer!
FAQs
Upon purchase, it's imperative to refrigerate smoked fish within three hours to maintain its freshness and quality (shorter on a hot day). Whether acquired from a local market or directly from Acme Smoked Fish at Fish Friday, storing smoked salmon using a cold storage method like refrigeration is essential.
How long does acme smoked salmon last? ›
Once opened, enjoy your salmon within 5 days. Acme Smoked Fish Corp.
How long does smoked salmon lox last in the fridge? ›
When it comes to keeping your lox fresh after opening, you're going to need to keep it refrigerated, or freeze it if you're intending to keep it long-term. When it comes to storage life for opened or fresh lox from the grocery counter, it will generally last about a week in the refrigerator.
How do you store smoked salmon after smoking? ›
It can be kept under refrigeration for two to three weeks, or one week after opening, but for long term storage, it can also be frozen for up to three months.
How to keep smoked fish fresh? ›
Even refrigeration won't guarantee that smoked fish will stay safe to eat. The bacteria that cause botulism food poisoning could start to grow after 2 to 3 weeks of refrigeration. For long-term storage, smoked fish must be frozen or canned. Canning or jarring is preferred by many who smoke fish at home.
Can you tell if smoked salmon has gone bad? ›
How do you know if smoked salmon has gone bad? Check for a strong, unpleasant odor and any signs of sliminess or a mushy texture to check if your salmon has gone bad. Look for discoloration or the presence of mold. If the taste is off or unpleasant, it is best to discard the smoked salmon.
Can you freeze lox salmon? ›
Smoked salmon is indeed freezable, and freezing it can help extend its shelf life.
Does smoked salmon go bad at room temperature? ›
You should never store smoked fish at room temperature, so as soon as you're home from the store, pop it right into the fridge. Hosting a brunch or grazing on bagels with friends? Just make sure you open the package when you take it out of the fridge, and never leave it out for more than 3 hours at room temp.
Why is my smoked salmon mushy? ›
If it has too deep of colour, it may mean that the meat has been previously frozen or that it has not been cured correctly. This issue doesn't just extend into looks – you'll likely find that smoked fish of this type has a mushy and unpleasant texture to it.
Can you eat smoked salmon 5 days after opening? ›
Once opened, it will remain fresh for up to 5 days if properly stored in a container or bag in refrigeration.
First off, give it a cozy home in an airtight container or wrap it up real tight with some trusty plastic wrap. And hey, freezing's a game-changer! When sealed properly and frozen, smoked salmon can shimmy its way through several months. Just remember to thaw it completely before indulging.
Can you vacuum pack smoked salmon? ›
Just ensure you're buying smoked salmon that has been dry-cured, not brined, and make sure you freeze it as soon as you can to retain maximum freshness. Vacuum sealed packs can go straight in the freezer, but it's easy to portion up whole sides of salmon into freezable portions if you follow our simple instructions.
Should smoked salmon be refrigerated or frozen? ›
Upon purchase, it's imperative to refrigerate smoked fish within three hours to maintain its freshness and quality (shorter on a hot day). Whether acquired from a local market or directly from Acme Smoked Fish at Fish Friday, storing smoked salmon using a cold storage method like refrigeration is essential.
How long does salmon lox last in the fridge? ›
Unopened Smoked Salmon: When stored in the refrigerator, unopened smoked salmon can last for about two weeks beyond the "best by" date. Ensure it is tightly wrapped or sealed to prevent air exposure. Opened Smoked Salmon: Once the package is opened, the smoked salmon should be consumed within three to five days.
What is the traditional method of preserving smoked fish? ›
Traditional methods of smoking fish involve using natural wood chips, such as oak or hickory, to create the smoke needed to preserve and flavor the fish. The fish are hung in the smokehouse and exposed to the wood smoke for an extended period of time, allowing the flavors to infuse into the meat.
How do you prevent botulism from smoked fish? ›
The Federal Institute for Health Protection of Consumers and Veterinary Medicine recommends to manufacturers and consumers that vacuum-packed smoked fish should always be stored at temperatures below 7 degrees Celsius, if possible below 3 degrees Celsius as this is the only way of preventing the multiplication of ...
How long is vacuum-packed smoked fish good for? ›
Vacuum-packed, smoked fish will last for two to three weeks, or two to three months when frozen. Salting fish involves rubbing your fish with a dry brine made of salt, sugar, and spices and storing it in a refrigerator for two to three days.
Is Acme smoked salmon cooked? ›
For this reason, the salmon is not technically cooked, although it is cured in a way that makes it ready-to-eat. This low temperature ensures that the fish's protein won't be denatured in the same way as higher heat cooking would.
How long will vacuum-packed salmon last in the refrigerator? ›
It is not recommended to re-freeze fully thawed raw product. After opening raw salmon, it is best to consume within 3 days of thawing. Smoked salmon packages can be refrigerated for up to 2 weeks. DO NOT Keep sealed vacuum-packed raw salmon in your refrigerator for more than 2 days.
Can you eat 4 day old smoked salmon? ›
This depends on how it's stored after opening and the type of smoked salmon, but properly stored and kept refrigerated most commercial smoked salmon should last least 4-5 days after opening.
