20 Leftover Salmon Recipes for Busy Weeknights (2024)

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20 Leftover Salmon Recipes for Busy Weeknights (1)

By Katherine Gillen

Published Mar 3, 2021

So you roasted a big, fancy salmon fillet for last night’s meal…and now you’re stuck with what feels like a fridge full of fish. But lucky for you, your leftovers are actually pretty versatile—not to mention time saving and delicious. With these 20 leftover salmon recipes, you’ll be eating healthy, reducing food waste and getting dinner on the table in no time. We call that a win-win-win.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

1. Salmon Blt

If you already have a salmon fillet from last night waiting in the fridge, you’re halfway there. Plus, everyone knows leftovers taste better cold.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

2. Salmon Bowl With Farro, Black Beans And Tahini Dressing

Leftover fish and hearty salads are a match made in heaven. Since it’s best served room-temp, you could even pack it for lunch.

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3. Creamy Bowtie Pasta With Salmon And Asparagus

Coterie member Heidi Larsen knows that a little pasta goes a long way to elevate your humble leftovers. Ditto for the freshly grated Parmesan garnish.

4. Salmon Fajita Salad Boats

Think of this as the ultimate fridge cleanout opportunity. Throw whatever veggies you have in a skillet, garnish with yogurt or sour cream and voilà, dinner is served.

5. Easy Keto Salmon Cakes

They take less than 15 minutes to make and are keto diet-friendly. Need we say more?

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

6. Salmon And Smashed Cucumber Grain Bowl

Want to brighten it up a notch? Squeeze some fresh lemon juice on top right before you dig in.

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7. Honey Barbecue Baked Salmon Bowls

Leftover rice (or quinoa), meet leftover salmon. By adding a new component (like a sauce), your repeat meal becomes a masterpiece.

8. Greek Salmon Salad Bowls

You probably have most of the ingredients in your fridge already. Use a fork to break up your leftover cooked salmon for some welcome textural contrast.

9. Low-carb Salmon Salad

Yep, it’s not just convenient to repurpose last night’s dinner. It’s also incredibly healthy.

10. Sweet Potato Salmon Cakes

Swap the canned fish for leftover cooked salmon and you’ll be surprised at how fast these babies come together—we’re talking 15 minutes from start to finish. Thanks, Coterie member Monique Volz.

12. Salmon Rillettes

What are rillettes, you ask? They’re a fancy French way of saying “salmon spread on toast.” They’re also delicious.

11. Salmon And Quinoa Bowls With Kale And Tahini-yogurt Sauce

Allow Coterie member Phoebe Lapine to demonstrate that sometimes, leftovers taste better than the first time around. (We’re chocking it up to that tahini dressing.)

13. Yummy Salmon Burgers With Slaw

As if the crispy, pan-fried salmon burgers weren’t enough on their own, they’re paired with a tangy slaw that’s beyond easy to make. And with “yummy” in the name, how can you resist?

14. Easy Salmon And Dill Salad

Give us a cold salad and we’ll go weak in the knees. The only question left to answer: Should we pair it with matchstick veggies or crackers (or both)?

20 Leftover Salmon Recipes for Busy Weeknights (16)

Spoon Fork Bacon

15. Roasted Salmon And Strawberry Grain Bowl

One bite and we’ve never felt healthier. The best part of all is that if you already have leftover cooked salmon, you can eliminate a few steps (and use it straight from the fridge).

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16. Salmon Cakes With Roasted Red Pepper Cream Sauce

This red pepper sauce is a thing of beauty on its own, but paired with the dill-flecked salmon cakes? Swoon.

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17. Salmon And Fennel Dinner Salad

Enjoy this lovely salad as a satisfying lunch or dinner—no side dishes necessary.

Get the recipe

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

18. Sheet Pan Eggs With Smoked Salmon, Cream Cheese And Dill

It’s tasty with toast and a mimosa—and even better on a bagel sandwich.

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20 Leftover Salmon Recipes for Busy Weeknights (20)

Hey Keto Mama

19. Keto Salmon Sushi Bowl

No rice, no problem, try this salmon sushi bowl made with cauliflower rice.

Photo: Jon Cospito/Styling: Erin McDowell

20. Layered Smoked Salmon Dip With Mini Bagel Chips

Picture everything you’d smear onto a bagel—from smoked salmon to chives to capers—bountifully stacked up on a plate.

Get the recipe

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20 Leftover Salmon Recipes for Busy Weeknights (22)

Katherine Gillen

Senior Food Editor

Katherine Gillenis PureWow’s senior food editor. She’s a writer, recipe developer and food stylist with a degree in culinary arts and professional experience in New York City...

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20 Leftover Salmon Recipes for Busy Weeknights (2024)

FAQs

What to do with a bunch of salmon? ›

11 Things to Do with Salmon
  1. Cook the whole side. If you're serving a crowd, you can grill or roast a whole side of salmon. ...
  2. Treat it like beef. ...
  3. Toss it in pasta. ...
  4. Put it in a sandwich (or a taco). ...
  5. Add it to hash. ...
  6. Make cakes (or burgers). ...
  7. Jar it. ...
  8. Give it a hot oil treatment.
May 23, 2017

How many days does cooked salmon last in the fridge? ›

Cooked salmon can be safely stored in the refrigerator for up to three to four days. Make sure to allow the cooked salmon to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container or wrap it tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap. Place it in the coldest part of the fridge to keep it as fresh as possible.

Can I eat salmon that's been in the fridge for a week? ›

Raw fish and shellfish should be kept in the refrigerator (40 °F/4.4 °C or less) only 1 or 2 days before cooking or freezing. After cooking, store seafood in the refrigerator 3 to 4 days. Any frozen fish or shellfish will be safe indefinitely; however, the flavor and texture will lessen after lengthy storage.

Can you eat five day old cooked salmon? ›

Information. Cooked fish and other seafood can be safely stored in the refrigerator 3 to 4 days. Refrigeration slows but does not prevent bacterial growth. Therefore, it's important to use food within recommended time before it spoils or becomes dangerous.

How do you revive leftover salmon? ›

We know you're hungry, but slow down –– reheating salmon (or anything, really) takes time. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees and plan to leave the fillet for about 15 minutes. The lower and slower it's cooked, the juicer and tastier it will remain.

When should you throw away leftover salmon? ›

How long is cooked salmon good for, in the fridge? According to the USDA, you can safely store cooked salmon in the fridge for three to four days.

How much salmon do I need for 20 people? ›

The recommended portion size of salmon per person typically ranges from 4 to 6 ounces.

How many people will 3 pounds of salmon feed? ›

Recommended Serving Size For Cooked Salmon

The American Heart Association recommends consuming at least two servings of fatty fish like salmon per week. Each serving should be 3.5 ounces of salmon or a serving that is equivalent to the size of a deck of cards. This means that 1 pound of salmon will feed 4 people.

How can you tell if cooked salmon has gone bad? ›

If the salmon smells fishy, sour or ammonia-like, then it's gone bad.

Is it better to freeze salmon raw or cooked? ›

Does freezing salmon ruin it/Is it bad to freeze salmon? Freezing salmon is a great way to store salmon raw or cooked. The quality will start to go down for raw salmon after three months and six months for cooked salmon.

Can I freeze cooked salmon? ›

Cooked salmon can last in the freezer for up to 3 months. This duration ensures that when you're ready to savor it again, it retains much of its original flavor and texture. Thaw your salmon carefully.

Can I eat salmon I bought 5 days ago? ›

According to the USDA guidelines, raw salmon should only be kept in the fridge for 1-2 days from the date you purchased it. If you're not going to eat it within 2 days, move it to the freezer, where it can be stored for months.

Can dogs eat salmon? ›

Yes, but in moderation. and only after you've checked with the vet! Salmon is full of omega-3 fatty acids which helps keep their coats shiny and support their immune system. Salmon must be unseasoned and cooked well, otherwise it may contain parasites and bacteria that can make your dog sick.

Can I refreeze salmon after thawing? ›

It is NOT safe to refreeze salmon that has been “quick-thawed” in a bowl of cold water. According to the USDA, you can refreeze salmon that has been thawed in the fridge as long as it has maintained refrigerator temperatures — meaning it's cold to the touch, thus preventing any bacteria from growing.

Is salmon ok to eat the next day? ›

We generally advise to use leftover salmon within three to four days of cooking. After that, you run the risk of eating spoiled seafood. To help you enjoy leftover salmon before it spoils, we've compiled a list of easy leftover salmon recipes you can make with cooked salmon.

Does salmon taste good leftover? ›

Eating cold leftover salmon is a great way to save time and effort. You don't have to worry about reheating it or going through the whole cooking process again. I like to eat it as is, make salmon salad out of it, add it to a salad or even make a sandwich.

Can you reheat cooked salmon? ›

The key is to reheat your cold leftover salmon at a low temperature. Slowly reheat it to keep it moist and flaky, which is precisely what you want it to be. Also, before reheating the salmon in the oven, remember to cover it with aluminium foil.

Is it better to reheat salmon or eat it cold? ›

Is it better to reheat salmon or eat it cold? It's a toss-up! Some folks love the cold salmon vibe, while others prefer it warmed up. Both ways are a-okay as long as your salmon's been reheated and stored with care.

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