Salmon Burger

Salmon burgers that are kept constantly frozen at 0°F will keep safe indefinitely. But for best quality, consume it within 9 months from the date of freeze. In the fridge, they usually last for 1 to 2 days after purchase, if it is kept at a constant temperature of 40°F or below. Once cooked, salmon burgers should be eaten within 3 to 4 days. If your salmon burger came vacuum-packed and the package is still sealed, it could last for up to two weeks in the refrigerator.

The simplest way to tell if a salmon burger has gone bad is by smelling and looking at it. A spoiled salmon burger will have a strong, fishy smell and the surface of the burger may become slimy. Examine the colour as well. It should be pink and not at all brown or grey. If the salmon burger is borderline but not totally spoiled, you could cook it at a high temperature to kill off any bacteria. But if it's clearly rotten, just discard it—better safe than sorry!

• Always refrigerate salmon burgers at 40°F or below. • To extend the shelf life of salmon burgers beyond the sell-by date, freeze them. Make sure the packaging is tightly sealed to prevent freezer burn. • If you plan to use part of the salmon burger for a meal and keep the rest for later, it's best to cut the piece you want before you start cooking. That way, you won't contaminate the rest of the meat with bacteria from your hands or cooking utensils. • Never leave salmon burgers at room temperature for more than two hours, as bacteria can grow rapidly at these temperatures. • If you're thawing frozen salmon burgers, it's best to do this in the refrigerator. If short on time, you can use the defrost feature of your microwave, but cook them immediately afterwards, because some areas of the food may become warm and start to cook during microwaving.