Quick Answer
No, cooked salmon should not be eaten if it has been left out at room temperature overnight. Salmon is a type of seafood that is highly perishable and prone to bacterial growth when not stored properly. Leaving cooked salmon unrefrigerated for longer than 2 hours allows bacteria such as Salmonella to multiply quickly to unsafe levels that can cause food poisoning.
What Happens When Salmon is Left Out Overnight
Salmon, like all seafood, is highly perishable and should always be refrigerated promptly after cooking. When left out at room temperature overnight, bacteria on the salmon can multiply rapidly. Here are some of the potential risks of eating salmon left out overnight:
- Growth of harmful bacteria – Leaving salmon unrefrigerated allows bacteria such as Salmonella, Listeria, Staphylococcus aureus, and Clostridium perfringens to grow. These bacteria can multiply to unsafe levels within 2 hours.
- Food poisoning – Eating salmon with high levels of harmful bacteria can cause foodborne illness. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever.
- Toxin production – Some dangerous bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus can release toxins that are not destroyed by cooking. These toxins can cause illness.
- Off-flavors or odors – Spoilage bacteria can cause changes in taste, smell, color, and texture.
The exact risks depend on factors like the initial level of contamination, how long the cooked salmon was left out, and the temperature. But it is universally recommended to throw out cooked salmon left at room temperature for more than 2 hours. Leaving it out overnight poses a significant health risk.
How Long Can Cooked Salmon Be Left Out?
Food safety experts caution against leaving any cooked seafood out of the refrigerator for longer than 2 hours. Here are some guidelines for how long cooked salmon can sit at room temperature before it is considered unsafe to eat:
| Time at Room Temperature | Safety |
|---|---|
| Less than 1 hour | Generally safe to eat or refrigerate. |
| 1-2 hours | Best to refrigerate immediately, but likely still safe if eaten right away. |
| Over 2 hours | At high risk of bacterial growth. Salmon should be thrown out. |
| Overnight (8+ hours) | Very dangerous. Salmon will likely be contaminated and should be discarded. |
As you can see, cooked salmon should never be left out at room temperature overnight, as this far exceeds the 2 hour safety window for perishable foods like seafood.
Factors Affecting Refrigeration Timeframe
There are a few factors that can slightly alter the safe timeframe for leaving salmon unrefrigerated:
- Temperature – Warmer room temperatures accelerate bacterial growth.
- Amount of salmon – Larger portions take longer to chill.
- Preparation method – Fattier salmon like poached salmon shouldn’t be left out as long as drier cooked salmon.
- Containers – Tightly sealed containers help limit exposure to bacteria.
But the 2 hour rule still applies in most cases as a good safety guideline for enjoying salmon without getting sick.
How to Store Leftover Cooked Salmon Safely
To safely enjoy cooked salmon again, it is important to store leftovers properly. Follow these recommendations:
- Refrigerate – Leftover salmon should be refrigerated within 2 hours of cooking.
- Shallow containers – Store salmon in shallow airtight containers so it chills quickly.
- Use within 3-4 days – Eat refrigerated leftover salmon within 3-4 days.
- Reheat to 165°F – Reheat leftover salmon thoroughly until steaming hot, at least 165°F.
- Avoid room temperature – Don’t let reheated salmon sit out for more than 2 hours.
Proper chilling, storage, and reheating will help prevent bacteria from growing and make enjoying leftover salmon safe.
How to Tell If Salmon Has Gone Bad
It’s important to know how to identify signs of spoiled salmon. Here are some ways you can tell if cooked salmon has gone bad and may be unsafe to eat:
- Unpleasant odors – Raw salmon has a mild, fresh scent. Spoiled salmon smells sour, fishy, or ammonia-like.
- Slimy texture – Slime formation on the salmon indicates bacterial growth.
- Discoloration – Cooked salmon flesh turns brown, pink, or white when spoiled.
- Dry, flaky flesh – Fresh salmon has moist, firm flesh. Spoiled salmon is dry and flakes apart easily.
- Mold growth – Mold on salmon signals it’s gone bad and should be thrown out.
Trust your senses – if salmon smells, looks, or feels bad in any way after sitting out overnight, play it safe and throw it away. Eating spoiled salmon can cause food poisoning.
How to Prevent Salmon Going Bad
You can prevent salmon from spoiling prematurely by handling and storing it properly:
- Buy fresh – Get raw salmon that looks and smells fresh, with no discoloration or strong fishy odor. Check the use-by date.
- Store at 40°F – Keep raw salmon well-chilled in the refrigerator 40°F or below.
- Cook and refrigerate promptly – Cook salmon within 1-2 days and refrigerate any leftovers within 2 hours.
- Freeze for later – Freeze raw salmon if you won’t use within 1-2 days, or freeze leftovers for longer storage.
- Marinate carefully – Only marinate salmon in the refrigerator, not at room temperature.
- Watch time and temperature – Never leave cooked or raw salmon above 40°F for over 2 hours total.
Following food safety guidelines carefully prevents bacterial overgrowth that causes salmon to spoil quickly.
Can Spoiled Salmon Make You Sick?
Yes, eating spoiled salmon can make you very sick. Salmon left out overnight or otherwise improperly handled can harbor dangerous bacteria like Salmonella, Listeria, Vibrio, Clostridium botulinum, and Staphylococcus aureus.
Consuming spoiled salmon can cause food poisoning symptoms like:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Abdominal cramps and diarrhea
- Fever and chills
- Headache
- Fatigue and muscle weakness
In severe cases, food poisoning from spoiled salmon can even be life-threatening. Salmonella and Listeria bacteria can potentially be fatal to those with compromised immune systems like older adults, pregnant women, young children, and those with chronic diseases.
Botulism toxin produced by Clostridium botulinum in spoiled salmon can also be extremely dangerous. Seek medical attention immediately if food poisoning symptoms develop after eating spoiled salmon.
Conclusion
Cooked salmon that has been left out on the counter overnight should never be eaten. Salmon is highly perishable and prone to rapid bacterial growth when not refrigerated properly. Consuming salmon left at room temperature for over 2 hours poses a significant risk of foodborne illness from Salmonella, Listeria, and other dangerous bacteria that can multiply overnight to hazardous levels. Leftover cooked salmon needs to be promptly refrigerated and consumed within 3-4 days for safe enjoyment later. Identifying signs of spoilage and preventing improper storage and handling are also key to avoiding food poisoning when cooking with this delicate fish.