I’m kind of passionate about not getting food poisoning. I know, I know, we all should be, but I might take it a bit too far sometimes. Ask my coworkers about my multiple lectures about putting food in the fridge promptly, and they’ll probably be more than happy to tell you how they love getting under my skin by eating room-temperature leftover pizza — don’t, by the way. With something else I love, sushi, it feels even more critical to know: how long does sushi last in the fridge?
How Long Does Sushi Last Unrefrigerated?
Like most foods that are left at room temperature for short periods of time, the recommendation is that food should not be kept out for longer than two hours. This number drops to one hour if the temperature of the room or environment is 90°F or higher, meaning that outdoor summer sushi parties will require a lot of planning.
Two hours is the window of time in which bacteria and parasites, as well as other foodborne illnesses, will start to form in average temperatures. This process is sped up with higher temps.
Placing your food in the fridge within one to two hours maintains safety, allowing you to enjoy it for hours and days to come! Which brings us to our next common question:
How Long Does Sushi Last in the Fridge?
Many people’s eyes are bigger than their stomachs (okay, I am talking about myself). Leftover sushi is a problem I don’t mind having, though. I tend to bring it to work for lunch the next day because it’s so easy to pack and serve.
Eating it the very next day, if not later the same day, is certainly the safest bet. How long sushi lasts in the fridge depends on the type of sushi and how it was prepared, but sooner is always better. In general, the shelf life of sushi is shorter than many other foods.
Cooked sushi can last for 3-4 days in the fridge.
Raw sushi is best within 1-2 days.
Sushi, and all refrigerated foods, should be kept in a sealed container when placed in the fridge. This helps prevent contamination from raw foods, preserves freshness, and reduces odor and flavor transference.
For questions about how long items last in the fridge, explore our guide to fridge shelf life.
Tips for Storing Sushi in the Fridge
Follow these basic tips to store sushi safely and stay out of the danger zone of harmful bacteria:
- Store raw meat on the bottom shelf of the fridge, as it is the coolest place in the fridge! This will help with food safety and longevity.
- Consider separating your sushi roll ingredients and storing them this way until you are ready to eat them. This prevents the mingling of flavors and helps maintain the texture of each ingredient.
- Wrap tightly using plastic wrap, or aluminum foil. An airtight container can make for an excellent sushi solution as well. The less air that reaches your leftovers, the less dry they will become.
- Store raw and cooked sushi separately. Raw foods are more prone to bacterial growth and therefore, future illness. Storing raw sushi separately from cooked sushi will help prevent the spread of these bacteria, which can help prevent food poisoning.
- Do not overcrowd or overly pack your fridge. This can restrict proper airflow which can affect the temperature and freshness of all foods, including your sushi. Allowing air circulation will provide even temperatures that keep your food healthy and flavorful.
In general, be extra careful with store-bought sushi that may have been sitting out for a while, especially if not fully refrigerated at the grocery store or other vendor. Making homemade sushi with fresh fish (and other fresh ingredients) is the best way to ensure the various ingredients are safe to eat.
Sushi restaurants generally use high-quality ingredients, particularly raw seafood, and sushi chefs undergo considerable training. But if you’re dealing with restaurant leftovers, think about how long the raw fish sushi was sitting on your table and then commuting home before making it to your fridge.
Can You Freeze Sushi?
Sushi can technically be frozen for up to 3 months, depending on the ingredients.
The best practice to freeze sushi is to wrap each piece separately. Otherwise, you risk having sushi that becomes stuck together and may be mushy when defrosted.
Sushi rice will change in flavor and texture when frozen, so be aware that it will not be exactly the same. For this reason, it is generally recommended not to freeze sushi unless absolutely necessary.
How Can You Tell If Sushi Has Gone Bad?
Spoiled sushi can make you very ill. It’s important to not just go by the length of time you stored the sushi properly, but also various other factors that can indicate whether or not it’s still safe to eat your sushi.
Here are some key signs of spoilage to look for when deciding if your sushi is still safe to consume:
- Smell: Look for any “off” smells. Unpleasant odors or a sour smell beyond the expected food smells would indicate sushi that may be out of date or growing bacteria.
- Touch: Sushi should not be slimy. While raw fish or other ingredients may have a slightly wet texture, avoid any slimy texture as it is generally a sign of unsafe food. If the texture of the sushi is off, consider it past its expiration date.
- Appearance: The look of your food will tell you more about it as well. Dull or moldy food is fit for the trash! Don’t eat food that looks funny or appears to be discolored.
- Taste: If your food passes all the other visual or tactile tests and you take a bite and are surprised by the flavor, give it a pass.
Stay safe, sushi lovers! Remember, the potential health risks outweigh the waste of tossing leftovers.
Sushi vs. Sashimi
Sushi is a Japanese dish that consists of small balls or rolls of cold, cooked rice that is served with a garnish of raw fish or vegetables, among other toppings or fillings. It can be made at home and is a fun way to learn and practice Japanese cuisine in your own kitchen! Sushi ranges from complicated and detailed combinations, to simpler recipes like hosomaki.
It is a common misconception that “sushi” is synonymous with raw fish. The name sushi actually refers to the sour flavor of the vinegared rice that is used. Therefore, sushi always contains rice as a primary ingredient, regardless of the addition of fish, vegetables (like grated carrots), eggs, or other ingredients that may or may not be included.
Sushi may contain or be topped with fish that is raw or cooked, or no seafood at all. In fact, some popular sushi rolls contain entirely vegetables and/or fruit, cream cheese, or imitation meats (like California rolls!).
Sashimi is a dish consisting of thinly-sliced raw food, usually fish or other seafood, but occasionally other meats.
Sashimi is sometimes confused with sushi, as the general presumption is that sushi contains raw fish. As noted above, this is not always the case!
Sashimi is the raw item by itself, without rice. Sashimi is sometimes sliced or placed in various shapes or cuts. It is expected that sashimi be served with distinct, smooth, visually appealing edges and sides, which requires skill and talent with knives.
Occasionally, sashimi may be seared, braised, or broiled for short periods of time to improve flavor, texture, and food safety.
This dish is served on its own as part of a light meal, or as an appetizer. Some people prefer to season or dip sashimi with soy sauce, wasabi, citrus, ginger, or ponzu.
More Japanese and Japanese-Inspired Dishes
Do you love sushi and want to explore more dishes? Many of these are excellent alongside sushi, or as a standalone.
As a mother, I recommend making these with your children and incorporating some fun, educational themes. The kitchen is an excellent place to explore various cultures and their food preferences, natural resources, kitchen tools and methods, and history!
Check out some of our traditional Japanese dishes, or others that are inspired by the culture:
- Japanese Curry
- Japanese Tofu Hamburger
- Japanese Sweet Potato
- Miso Glazed Salmon
- Onigiri Recipe
- Chirashi Zushi
- Ebi Katsu Don
- Kakiage Don
- Kinako Mochi with Red Bean Paste
- California Onigirazu
- Nama Chocolate
- Anpan
- Sesame Tofu Noodles
- Teriyaki Meatballs
- Soba Noodle Stir Fry
- Homemade Teriyaki Sauce
