The best thing ever is take-and-bake dishes—they’re easy to use like takeout, but you don’t have to worry about the food getting cold on the way home. Here’s how to make stuffed salmon, a favorite take-and-bake dinner at Costco.
I’m convinced that take and bake meals are the most brilliant thing modern grocery stores offer. They are one of the easiest ways to make dinner, in between ordering takeout and cooking from scratch, and they are usually better for you than regular takeout. Costco has a variety of take and bake options, and this stuffed salmon is one of the best.
But sometimes the directions aren’t very clear, so I bought one and cooked it in both the oven and the air fryer. Here’s how to cook your Costco stuffed salmon perfectly!.
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Stuffed salmon from Costco is a delicious and convenient dinner option The tender salmon is stuffed with a tasty crab cake-like filling that makes this dish seem fancy and indulgent But what if you can’t eat it all right away? Can you safely freeze the leftover stuffed salmon from Costco?
The short answer is yes you can freeze stuffed salmon from Costco, both before and after cooking it. Freezing allows you to stock up on this tasty meal while saving money and reducing food waste. Read on for a helpful guide on freezing Costco stuffed salmon, including storage times reheating instructions, and expert tips.
How Long Does Uncooked Stuffed Salmon Last in the Fridge?
If you keep the Costco stuffed salmon in the fridge the right way, it will stay fresh for two to three days after it was packaged. Make sure to store it in its original box or tightly wrap it in foil or plastic wrap. The coldest part of your fridge, at least 40°F, should hold it. Put it on a plate to catch any leaks.
For the best taste and freshness, cook the stuffed salmon within one to two days of opening it. The raw salmon and stuffing filling have seafood and mayonnaise in them, which go bad quickly if you leave them in the fridge for too long.
Can You Freeze Uncooked Stuffed Salmon from Costco?
Freezing uncooked stuffed salmon allows you to save leftover portions or stock up when it’s on sale. According to the USDA, uncooked salmon that has been continuously frozen at 0°F or below can be stored in the freezer for 2-3 months.
Each raw salmon fillet should be tightly wrapped in plastic wrap or aluminum foil before it is frozen. Make sure there are no air pockets inside the wrapping. Put the wrapped fillets in a freezer bag or container that won’t let air in. Before sealing, get rid of as much air as you can.
Label the package with the date and contents before placing in the freezer. For best quality, use frozen uncooked stuffed salmon within 2-3 months.
How to Cook Frozen Stuffed Salmon from Costco
Cooking frozen stuffed salmon is easy! There are a few methods you can use:
Oven: Preheat oven to 400°F. Place the frozen stuffed salmon on a baking sheet and cook for 40-50 minutes, until the thickest part of the fish reaches 145°F internal temperature.
Stovetop: Thaw salmon in the fridge overnight. Heat 1 tsp oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook salmon stuffing side down for 4-5 minutes then flip and cook 4-5 minutes more.
Grill: Heat grill to medium-high heat. Oil grates and place frozen salmon directly on grill. Close lid and grill for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway, until salmon reaches 145°F.
Regardless of cooking method, always check the internal temperature of the salmon with a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 145°F. The filling should register 165°F. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
How Long Does Cooked Stuffed Salmon Last in the Fridge?
According to the USDA, cooked salmon will last 3-4 days when properly stored in the refrigerator. Place cooled leftovers in airtight containers or resealable plastic bags. Store in the fridge within 2 hours of cooking.
To maximize freshness, use refrigerated cooked stuffed salmon within 3 days. Discard any leftovers that have an off smell, flavor or appearance.
Can You Refreeze Previously Frozen Stuffed Salmon?
It’s not recommended to refreeze stuffed salmon that has been thawed from frozen. Refreezing thawed salmon can lead to quality and texture issues. The salmon may become mushy and the filling dry or crumbly.
According to the USDA, it is safe to refreeze cooked stuffed salmon if it still contains ice crystals and has been stored properly in the fridge. However for best quality, try to avoid refreezing previously frozen salmon.
How Long Does Cooked Stuffed Salmon Last in the Freezer?
For best quality, the USDA recommends freezing cooked stuffed salmon for up to 2-3 months. To freeze, allow cooked salmon to cool completely, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap, foil or place in freezer bags. Remove as much air as possible and seal.
Label bags with contents and freeze date. Freeze in single portions for easy reheating later. Thaw frozen cooked salmon overnight in the fridge before use.
Tips for Freezing Stuffed Salmon from Costco
Follow these tips to successfully freeze stuffed salmon from Costco:
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Freeze uncooked salmon within 1-2 days of purchasing for maximum freshness.
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Tightly wrap salmon in plastic wrap or foil before freezing, removing air pockets.
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Portion into meal-sized servings so you can defrost only what you need.
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Use freezer bags or airtight containers to prevent freezer burn.
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Label bags with contents and freeze date for easy reference.
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Once thawed, use refrigerated salmon within 3-4 days.
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Avoid refreezing previously frozen stuffed salmon.
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Cooked salmon can be frozen up to 2-3 months for best quality.
Thawing Frozen Stuffed Salmon Safely
To safely thaw frozen stuffed salmon, there are a few methods:
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Fridge thawing – Place frozen salmon in fridge 24-48 hours before use. This is the safest method.
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Cold water bath – Seal salmon in a bag submerged in cold tap water, changing water every 30 minutes. Takes 1-2 hours.
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Microwave – Defrost salmon in microwave using defrost setting if available. Check often to prevent cooking edges.
Do not thaw stuffed salmon at room temperature or in hot water. This can allow bacteria to grow. Cook thawed salmon immediately and discard any leftovers.
Reheating Leftover Stuffed Salmon
To reheat leftover cooked stuffed salmon, use one of these methods:
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Oven – Preheat oven to 350°F. Place salmon on a baking sheet and reheat until warmed through, 10-15 minutes.
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Skillet – Heat 1 tsp oil in skillet over medium heat. Add salmon and cook 3-5 minutes per side until heated through.
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Microwave – Microwave salmon on high in 30 second increments, checking between until heated through.
Bring refrigerated salmon to an internal temperature of 165°F. Microwaving can cause dryness, so add a splash of water or broth before heating. Discard any salmon leftovers after 4 days.
Enjoy Costco’s Tasty Stuffed Salmon Anytime
By freezing stuffed salmon from Costco, you can enjoy this quick and easy meal even when you don’t have time to make it fresh. Follow the storage guidelines for freezing before and after cooking. Thaw frozen salmon safely in the refrigerator and reheat to 165°F before serving.
With proper freezing and thawing methods, you can keep Costco’s stuffed salmon on hand for delicious dinners weeks after purchasing. Just remember to label bags and use frozen salmon within recommended timelines for the best quality and taste.
What other salmon does Costco sell?
This stuffed salmon and their salmon Milano with basil pesto butter are the two kinds of take-and-bake salmon they offer. These take and bake meals are a great way to get a healthy meal on the table fast.
You can also buy salmon filets by the pound in the fresh seafood section. There is also frozen salmon in the freezer section. Different Costco stores may have different choices, but usually they have a kirkland signature farmed atlantic salmon in single servings and wild salmon filet servings. Because they are vacuum-sealed, these are very convenient because you can defrost them in a large bowl of cold water the same day you want to cook them.
My Costco has two kinds of smoked salmon in the fridge, next to the cheeses and deli meats. These are good for cooking salmon. They also have canned salmon along with other cooked fish like canned tuna and pre-cooked shrimp.
How to Make The Stuffed Salmon in the Air Fryer
If you have a temperature probe, it will help you make sure your food doesn’t get too hot or too cold. There are many things that can change the cooking time. I didn’t preheat my air fryer here, but some models may heat up faster than others. I used the grill pan but the regular basket is fine too.
It should be air-fried at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes, or until the crab mixture inside is at least 145 degrees. Putting parchment paper or aluminum foil under it will make cleanup easier, but it will also cut down on airflow a bit, which could make the cooking time a little longer. Do NOT use a paper towel.
| Time cooking: | Probe 1 (Stuffing): |
| 8 minutes | 98 degrees F |
| 12 minutes | 123 degrees F |
| 14 minutes | 136 degrees F |
| 15 minutes | 143 degrees F |
| 16 minutes | 145 degrees F |
This is definitely the fastest way to prepare this dish!
Kirkland Signature Stuffed Salmon (Costco Food Review)
FAQ
How long can you freeze stuffed salmon?
Can you freeze the salmon from Costco?
Can you freeze stuffed fish?
How long can Costco salmon keep in the fridge?
How do you bake frozen Costco stuffed salmon?
Here’s how to oven bake frozen Costco stuffed salmon: Preheat the oven to 425F (218C). Cover the baking tray the frozen salmon is in with aluminum foil. Bake the frozen stuffed salmon at 425F on an oven rack ⅓ down from the top of the oven. It’s done when it reaches an internal temp of 165F (74C).
Can you freeze Costco stuffed salmon?
It also contains 2% or less of the following: Can You Freeze Costco’s Stuffed Salmon? Yes, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says you can freeze the uncooked portions of Costco’s stuffed salmon for 4 to 6 months.
Is Costco stuffed salmon oven safe?
This crab stuffed salmon at Costco is fresh and with no skin. It comes in an oven-safe baking pan, so all you have to do is remove the lid and bake. The Costco stuffed salmon cooking instructions on the packaging recommend oven baking. I agree that this is the best way to cook stuffed salmon.
Does Costco make stuffed salmon?
The stuffed salmon is one of the most expensive pre-made meals at Costco which I think might make some people a little apprehensive about purchasing it. Cooking the stuffed salmon from Costco is extremely simple. All you have to do is either bake it in the oven or bake it on the barbecue.