How Long Can Sushi Stay In The Fridge?
This completely depends on whether your sushi is cooked or not. Cooked sushi can be stored in the fridge for up to three to four days without going bad. However, raw sushi can only be kept in the fridge for one to two days – after which it should either be used up in cooking or placed in a freezer.
It depends on the type of sushi, but generally, sushi can be kept for four days in the fridge as long as it is stored correctly, and it is fresh from the original recipe made with fresh ingredients. The takeaway is that many types of sushi will last up to one week in the fridge if stored correctly, or up to two months in the freezer (depending on the type of sushi and how it is handled). Sushi containing fish can last for between three days to one week in the refrigerator (depending on the type, more on this below), whereas non-fish sushi may last for as long as one week.
It is safe to say that pre-made sushi will keep for up to three days depending on your refrigerator temperature. Cooked sushi can remain fresh up to 2 days when kept refrigerated — which means that if you cannot finish all of your sushi in a single day, that is okay. While sushi made with raw fish (or meat) cannot remain good for longer than two days, cooked sushi can remain good for up to four days, provided that it is stored properly.
| Type of sushi | In the refrigerator (32-34°F) | Freezer (0°F) |
| Cooked sushi | 1 week | 2 months |
| Cooked chicken sushi | 4 days | 2-3 months |
| Pre-made sushi | 3 days | 1-2 months |
| Raw fish sushi | 2 days | 1 month |
If you have any leftover sushi that has raw fish, you will want to eat it within two days, just to be safe (as long as it is refrigerated). Sushi with raw fish can last for up to two days when properly refrigerated, but you should probably eat it within one day. If the sushi has raw fish, you can bring some of it home, storing them in a cooler for up to 24 hours.
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It is recommended that sushi is stored within a half-hour of cooking, if you are planning on eating it the following day. Even if you do wish to store your sushi for the following day or several days later, you must keep in mind that sushi, just like fish, is best when eaten fresh. We know this cannot always happen, so one of the first things to remember is to pop the sushi into the fridge within 30 minutes, just to be sure that it is safe for eating the following day.
If you are eating sushi over two hours from now, either put the sushi in the refrigerator or store it somewhere cooler. If it cannot be refrigerated for about 30 minutes, then it is at risk for bacterial contamination and it is not safe enough for the restaurant to let you walk out with it.
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If perfectly cooked fresh sushi is not eaten right after being made (certainly not longer than two hours if left outside at room temperature), parasitic and bacterial growth may occur, which can seriously harm you. Because sushi is made from raw fish, such as fish, shrimp, and eels, it can safely stay for up to 2 hours at room temperature. If the fresh sushi is a raw seafood like tuna or salmon, it needs to be kept in the fridge at least two hours after being prepared, before serving — it is, after all, perishable. It is also recommended that you refrigerate it soon, as well, as leaving it sitting at room temperature too long will result in a shift in temperature from room temperature to fridge temperature, which will reduce the quality of its flavour.
Remember, leftover sushi for the following day is okay, but only when stored in a fridge at a temperature of 41 degrees F., not left at room temperature for more than 30 minutes. If you do not want to eat leftover sushi immediately, you still should wrap it tightly to prevent drying it out. You can keep leftover sushi (if you want) by placing a piece of plastic wrap over it, then sealing it inside of a sealed container and placing it in the fridge. Once you make your own sushi, or purchase one at a trusted restaurant, you can store any sushi you leftovers in the fridge.
If your sushi does not seem extra-fresh when you eat it, do not bother wrapping it for later–you are taking too much of a risk doing that. Even when cooked, you should never eat sushi more than three days after making because quality will decline because the moisture is lost. With this in mind, you can store the sushi on the counter for up to six hours, though you are encouraged to eat it sooner due to the potential bacteria growth. If you follow the recommendations that I gave you above, that is, keep raw sushi in the refrigerator for one to two days, and prepare sushi no longer than three or four days, then you will be able to eat it safely.
If you find that up to four days is sufficient, you could also try freezing the sushi, which would allow it to last longer — both raw and cooked sushi would keep for about three months in the freezer. Well, at least the latter is true of the raw variety, as cooked ones are able to last slightly longer: Cooked chicken sushi will last for up to four days if properly stored. Same goes for raw sushi, the Japanese dish made of just fresh, raw fish (or meat, in some cases) – if kept properly, sashimi will last somewhere in between one and two days. As we explained above, raw sushi types cannot last for very long: tuna sushi lasts for just one to two days, even when stored correctly in a refrigerator.
The same sushi made at home lasts for around 2 days, but you must use fresh ingredients and keep them airtight containers, too. As you may have guessed, refrigerated sushi containing cooked seafood or just vegetables (for instance, tempura shrimp nuggets or plain avocado rolls) are safe for consumption beyond a 24 hour window, and they will keep three or four days in the refrigerator, or for as long as one week, respectively. The important part to remember is not to leave it unrefrigerated, as bacteria can indeed grow on sushi with a raw component, like a spicy tuna roll and sashimi (which are essentially just slices of raw fish). If you are not eating the sushi, you are going to need to throw it away, since 24 hours in the fridge of the raw fish, cooked rice, and pickled vegetables is about as far as the bacteria risk goes before they grow to levels more than likely to make you sick.
How long can you keep sushi in the freezer?
Freshly caught and chopped fish is necessary for sushi to stay fresher for longer. Raw fish can be stored without any problems for up to three months in the freezer. However, three days is the absolute maximum in sushi form, and more than that could spoil it and result in digestive issues.
Can you eat 2-day-old sushi?
To be safe, you should eat any leftover sushi that contains raw fish within two days until it is kept in the refrigerator. Contrary to popular belief, sushi does not truly have a one-day shelf life. Without fish, sushi can be kept in your refrigerator for up to a week with appropriate storage.
How can you tell if sushi has gone bad?
To gently touch the fish’s flesh, use the tip of your index finger. If there is still evidence of your finger on the fish, it probably isn’t fresh because your finger shouldn’t leave any indentations. You’ll become an expert at identifying a subpar sushi restaurant after you master this technique.