Quick answer
Costco smoked salmon can be safely eaten raw in most cases. Smoking salmon is a preservation technique that kills potentially harmful bacteria through salt, smoke, and heat. As long as the smoked salmon was processed correctly and has been stored properly, it is generally safe to eat raw. However, there are some risks, so pregnant women, young children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems should avoid raw smoked salmon.
What is smoked salmon?
Smoked salmon refers to salmon that has been cured and hot or cold smoked as a method of preservation. The smoking process cooks the salmon while also dehydrating it and adding flavor from the smoke. Salt is also used to draw moisture out of the salmon, which inhibits bacterial growth. Smoking allows salmon to be stored unrefrigerated for longer periods compared to fresh salmon. There are several types of smoked salmon including:
- Hot smoked – Hot smoked salmon is cooked throughout at temperatures ranging from 150-180°F. It has a smoky, savory flavor.
- Cold smoked – Cold smoked salmon is smoked at temperatures below 90°F. It has a delicate, subtle smoky flavor and the interior remains raw.
- Wild caught vs farmed – Smoked salmon can come from wild caught or farmed salmon. Wild caught tends to have better texture and flavor.
- Nova style – Nova style smoked salmon has a smooth, silk-like texture and mild smoke flavor. It is cold smoked.
- Lox – Lox refers to brined rather than smoked salmon. However, the terms lox and smoked salmon are sometimes used interchangeably.
At Costco, you can find both hot smoked and cold smoked salmon options. The Kirkland Signature Scottish Smoked Salmon is a hot smoked variety, while the Wild Caught Nova Smoked Salmon is a cold smoked nova style.
Is Costco smoked salmon safe to eat raw?
Most experts agree that commercially smoked salmon like that sold at Costco can be safely consumed raw for healthy individuals. Here are some of the reasons why:
- Salt content – The salt used in the curing and smoking process inhibits bacterial growth.
- Smoking – The heat helps kill potentially harmful bacteria like salmonella, Listeria, and E. coli.
- Preservatives – Sugar and sodium nitrite are also commonly added to smoked salmon as preservatives.
- Packaging – Vacuum sealing and refrigeration prevent contamination after processing.
- Regulations – Commercially sold smoked seafood in the US must adhere to safe processing standards.
As long as the smoked salmon is notexpired and has been stored sealed at 40°F or less, it should be safe for consumption raw. Make sure there are no signs of spoilage like off odors, sticky residue, or sliminess. Use within 3 weeks of opening for highest quality.
Some sources say smoked salmon is safe when it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F for 30 minutes during processing. However, most types of smoked salmon do not reach sustained high temperatures throughout. Rather, the combination of salt, smoke, and short bursts of heat serve to kill bacteria.
Research has found listeria and other pathogens are inactivated in smoked fish when it has been brined in a 20% salt solution and smoked at 70°C. Brining and smoking parameters vary between processors, which is why there can be a small risk with eating smoked fish raw. But overall, commercially smoked salmon is considered safe for raw consumption.
Potential risks of raw smoked salmon
While the smoking process does eliminate a significant amount of harmful microbes, there is no guarantee that all bacteria are destroyed, especially with cold smoked varieties. Here are some of the potential risks with eating raw smoked salmon:
- Pathogens – There is a small chance that dangerous bacteria like Listeria, Clostridium botulinum, Salmonella, and E. coli could survive brining and smoking. These bacteria can cause food poisoning symptoms like fever, diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps.
- Parasites – Smoking does not reliably kill parasites like Anisakis simplex that can infect salmon. These could lead to allergic reactions or anisakiasis, a parasitic infection.
- Toxins – Smoking does not destroy natural marine toxins that may be present in fish like histamine, which can cause allergy-like symptoms.
- Contaminants – Pollutants like heavy metals can be present in fish and are not eliminated through smoking.
- Foodborne illness – There have been some food poisoning outbreaks linked to smoked seafood consumed raw or undercooked.
Certain people are more vulnerable to the risks of raw smoked salmon. The CDC recommends these populations avoid raw or undercooked seafood:
- Pregnant women – Risk of listeria infection that can cause pregnancy complications.
- Young children – More vulnerable to foodborne illnesses.
- Older adults – Also at higher risk of infections from bacteria and parasites.
- Those with weakened immune systems – Includes cancer patients, transplant recipients, HIV patients, and those on steroids or chemotherapy.
- Those with liver disease or certain autoimmune disorders
So while raw smoked salmon is generally safe, these groups are better off heating smoked salmon to an internal temperature of 145°F to destroy any potential pathogens.
How to reduce risks when eating Costco smoked salmon raw
You can take some precautions when eating raw Costco smoked salmon to reduce the small risks:
- Check the sell-by or use-by date – Do not eat past the expiry date
- Verify proper refrigeration – It should be kept sealed at or below 40°F
- Avoid cross-contamination – Use a clean cutting board and knife
- Buy high-quality – Opt for wild-caught salmon from a trusted producer
- Eat within 3 weeks – Consume smoked salmon within 3 weeks of opening for best quality and safety
- Check for signs of spoilage – Do not eat if you see any stickiness, sliminess, or off odors
- Avoid at-risk groups – The very young, elderly, pregnant women and those with compromised immune systems should avoid raw smoked salmon
Following basic food safety practices like washing hands, preventing cross contamination, and controlling temperatures reduces the risk of illness from raw smoked salmon. But when in doubt, cooking smoked salmon provides an extra layer of protection.
Can you eat Costco smoked salmon straight from the package?
Most Costco smoked salmon products can be eaten straight from the vacuum sealed package without additional cooking. However, it is still important to follow the recommended storage and expiry guidelines.
Costco states their Kirkland Signature Smoked Salmon is ready to eat right out of the package. The wild caught Atlantic salmon is dry brined with salt and brown sugar, then hickory smoked.
The only exception is Costco’s Nova Salmon Burgers, which are raw and require cooking to an internal temperature of 145°F before consuming.
Otherwise, their smoked salmon offerings like the Wild Caught Nova and Scottish Smoked Salmon have been processed sufficiently to eat right out of the package. Make sure to check the sell-by date and that the vacuum seal is still intact. Use within 3 weeks of opening, and do not eat if there are any signs of spoilage.
While eating straight from the package is safe for most people, those in higher risk groups may want to take the extra precaution of gently heating the smoked salmon before consuming. Pregnant women need to be especially careful with ensuring smoked seafood is fully cooked.
How long does unopened Costco smoked salmon last?
In the unopened, original vacuum sealed package, Costco smoked salmon will last for the following periods:
| Product | Shelf Life Unopened |
|---|---|
| Kirkland Signature Smoked Salmon | 2 years |
| Wild Caught Nova Smoked Salmon | 18 months |
As long as the smoked salmon remains vacuum sealed, it can maintain quality for up to 2 years in the freezer or up to 1-2 years in the refrigerator.
The freezing process stops any bacterial growth and oxidation that can lead to spoilage. Thaw frozen smoked salmon overnight in the fridge before opening the package.
Once opened, the shelf life is reduced to just 3-4 weeks. Make sure to tightly re-seal opened packages and store at 40°F or less. Discard any leftover smoked salmon after 3-4 weeks.
With an unopened, unexpired package that has been stored correctly, Costco’s smoked salmon products can be consumed raw with confidence straight from the package. But always inspect for any signs of spoilage before eating.
How can you tell if Costco smoked salmon is bad?
Here are some signs that the Costco smoked salmon has gone bad and may not be safe to eat raw or cooked:
- Expired sell-by or use-by date
- Broken vacuum seal
- Discoloration or excessive darkening
- Drying around the edges with white rings
- Slimy film or residue on the salmon
- Fishy, ammonia or sour odor
- Mold growth – may appear fuzzy or discolored
With smoked salmon, trust your senses. If it smells, looks or feels bad, the safest option is to discard it. Botulism in particular can be dangerous, as it does not cause any obvious signs of spoilage.
Make sure smoked salmon packages have been continuously refrigerated below 40°F. Discard packages with broken or loose vacuum seals. Use ice packs and insulated coolers if taking smoked salmon on a trip or traveling with it.
If there is any doubt about the freshness, it is not worth the risk. Toxic clostridium botulinum bacteria and other pathogens can grow even in refrigerated, smoked fish if it was not properly processed and stored. Take care to identify spoiled salmon before consuming.
Can you freeze and thaw Costco smoked salmon?
Costco smoked salmon can be safely frozen and thawed multiple times. Follow these guidelines for best quality:
- Freeze before sell-by date for maximum freshness.
- Double wrap packages in freezer bags or foil.
- Freeze at 0°F or below.
- Thaw overnight in the fridge.
- Avoid refreezing thawed salmon more than 1-2 times.
- Use thawed salmon within 3-5 days.
The freezer preserves quality and prevents spoilage. Vacuum sealed packages help prevent freezer burn.
Thaw smoked salmon gradually in the refrigerator, as opposed to at room temperature where bacteria can start growing again.
Do not refreeze thawed salmon that has been left at room temperature for over 2 hours. Use thawed smoked salmon within 3-5 days and discard any remainders.
With proper freezing and thawing methods, the shelf life can be extended significantly past the sell-by date. This provides flexibility if you need to buy smoked salmon in bulk when it goes on sale.
Can you microwave Costco smoked salmon?
Yes, you can safely microwave Costco smoked salmon to heat it up before serving. Here are some tips:
- Use microwave-safe dish and cover with lid or plastic wrap.
- Heat for 30-60 seconds at 50% power until warm, not scalding hot.
- Check for cold spots and continue heating in 10 second increments.
- Let rest 1-2 minutes before serving.
- Wash hands, dishes, cutting board after handling.
Microwaving is a quick and easy way to heat up smoked salmon to serving temperature. Take care not to overheat, as this can toughen and dry out the delicate salmon.
Gently warming smoked salmon can make it more palatable, while also reducing any risks for more vulnerable groups.
However, microwaving does not heat evenly. Be sure all areas reach 145°F internally to fully eliminate bacteria. Let the salmon rest before serving.
Conclusion
Smoked salmon sold at Costco like Kirkland and Nova brands undergo commercial processing that makes them safe to eat straight from the package without additional cooking. While raw smoked salmon is considered safe for healthy adults, pregnant women, young children, the elderly, or immunocompromised individuals should take extra caution and avoid raw or undercooked smoked seafood. Check for signs of spoilage, follow storage guidelines, and use thawed salmon within 3-5 days for best quality and safety. Take basic food safety precautions when handling any raw seafood.
