How Long Does Sushi Last: A Food Safety Guide (2024)

How long does sushi last before going off?

Raw fish sushi

Sushi includes raw fish that ideally needs to be eaten within a day. This rule not only means that the sushi will taste its best, but ensures that it’s safe, as raw fish can go off quickly.

However, if raw fish sushi like sashmi is properly stored in the fridge, it can last 1-2 days. And raw fish sushi will last for a month in the freezer. But make certain that you note the date it was frozen on before you freeze it.

Veggie sushi

Without fish, you can be a bit more relaxed. Vegetable sushi still tastes best freshly made, but it will last for up to one week in the fridge. And veggie sushi can last up to two months if frozen.

Sushi with other meats

In general, cooked meats are much safer to store than raw meat and can last for 3-4 days. Cooked prawns can last for up to one week in the fridge. Cooked salmon or tuna sushi will last for up to two days if refrigerated well. And cooked meat sushi will last for up to two months if kept in the freezer.

How do you safely store leftover sushi?

If you’ve made a batch of sushi, but you have some leftovers, and you’re wondering if you can eat the sushi the next day — you can. You just need to make sure that you’ve stored it safely. Any sushi leftovers in your fridge need to be stored in airtight containers to avoid bacterial growth. An elegant and traditional sushi bento box is practical for storing freshly prepared sushi.

Raw food and cooked food should be stored separately in the fridge. Bacteria from raw food can contaminate cold, cooked food. If you haven’t got an airtight container, sushi needs to be tightly wrapped in foil, cling film or foil before storing in the fridge or freezer, but it won’t last as long.

Can you freeze sushi?

Yes, you can freeze sushi. Depending on the ingredients in the sushi, it can be frozen for months. You’ll need to freeze each piece of sushi separately. If you freeze them together, they’ll stick together and go soggy when you defrost them.

Unfortunately, you won’t get the best taste from the sushi rice after it’s been frozen. Rice can also become overly dry after freezing, which is another reason why sushi is best eaten freshly prepared.

How can you tell if sushi has gone bad?

You can use your senses to tell if sushi has gone off: smell for unpleasant odours and visually inspect it.

Smell: Bacteria can cause an unpleasant odour.

Look: Refrigerating sushi can make it look duller and unappetising. Inspect it for any signs of mould. Don’t eat fish or seaweed which has discoloured. If the container is leaking, that means it’s not airtight. It could also be a sign of decomposing food.

Touch: If the rice or fish feels slimy, it’s gone off. The rice might also become hard and dry as it’s exposed to air.

Taste: The sushi can taste bland or sour if it’s gone off.

When you’re making sushi at home for your own consumption, you just have to plan carefully to avoid wasting any of the fresh ingredients. You’ll soon get to know how much to serve your family and friends. And if you use high-quality sushi ingredients, it’s hard to imagine any being leftover!

How Long Does Sushi Last: A Food Safety Guide (2024)

FAQs

How Long Does Sushi Last: A Food Safety Guide? ›

If you're taking leftover sushi home, put the rolls in the fridge as soon as possible—and make sure the temperature is below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Usually, sushi containing raw fish is good in the fridge for 1 to 2 days.

How long can you safely keep sushi? ›

Raw fish sushi

Sushi includes raw fish that ideally needs to be eaten within a day. This rule not only means that the sushi will taste its best, but ensures that it's safe, as raw fish can go off quickly. However, if raw fish sushi like sashmi is properly stored in the fridge, it can last 1-2 days.

How long does sushi grade last? ›

However, your sushi or a sashimi-grade variety of seafood can last for up to 24-48 hours in your fridge. In case, you can't have it within 24 hours, it is always best to buy the flash-frozen item, that you may store for up to 6 months in your freezer for consuming as sashimi. (longer if cooked).

When would sushi be considered safe in terms of food safety? ›

If sushi or sashimi is consumed immediately after preparation, then it is more likely to be safe. If it is not consumed immediately, it should be stored at refrigerated temperatures.

How long can sushi rice last in the fridge? ›

Cooked, unseasoned white or brown sushi rice will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 5 days. Or portion it out and freeze it in a freezer bag or freezer-safe container for up to 6 months. Cooked, seasoned white or brown sushi rice is best used right away.

Can you eat 4 hour old sushi? ›

According to Jue, refrigerated sushi that contains raw seafood should be consumed within 12 to 24 hours, which is the standard recommendation at supermarkets in Japan. The same is true for sushi bought in the U.S., be it from a grocery store or restaurant.

How to tell if sushi has gone bad? ›

A sour or unpleasant smell is a clear sign of spoilage! Sticky or slimy fish and hard rice are also indicators that it is time to discard the sushi! Wow! Sushi is one of the most delicious and healthy foods out there, but it's important to make sure it's fresh.

Is sushi safe for 6 year old? ›

As a general rule of thumb, children under the age of 5 should not consume raw fish because they are especially susceptible to foodborne diseases. Young children do not have a completely developed immune system, so they can't fight the potential bacteria and parasites that may be present in raw fish or shellfish.

How long can raw fish sit out? ›

Never leave seafood or other perishable food out of the refrigerator for more than 2 hours or for more than 1 hour if exposed to temperatures above 90°F (32°C). Bacteria that can cause illness grow quickly at temperatures between 40°F (4°C) and 140°F (60°C).

How long is raw fish good in the fridge? ›

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.

How to make sure sushi is safe? ›

Seafood used in making sushi should be labeled as sushi grade seafood. Fish that's consumed raw in sushi must be frozen to -20°C (-4°F) for 7 days or -35°C (-31°F) for 15 hours. This process will destroy any parasite in the fish making it safer to consume but there's still risk.

What are the 4 food safety guidelines? ›

You can help keep your family safe from food poisoning at home by following these four simple steps: clean, separate, cook and, chill.

How much raw sushi is safe? ›

General sushi consumption on a weekly basis should be no more than 10 to 15 rolls, according to Health Magazine. This should especially be taken into consideration if the sushi ingredients include tuna, salmon or any raw fish.

How long does sushi last? ›

It's more likely to contain parasites and bacteria and must be appropriately stored to reduce your risk of developing foodborne illnesses. Raw sushi like sashimi can be refrigerated for 1–2 days, while cooked sushi can last for 3–4 days. Neither type should be kept at room temperature for more than 2 hours.

Is it safe to eat sushi after 2 days in the fridge? ›

Yes, you can keep sushi fresh in the fridge overnight and even for about two days. However, ensure that the sushi is properly stored and packed to avoid the entry of air that can expose sushi to various contaminants/germs.

Can you eat sushi rice after 2 days? ›

Once the rice has cooled, it's time to store it. The best way to store sushi rice is to put it in an airtight container or plastic bag and keep it in the refrigerator for up to two days. Personally, I think two days is already too long. I prefer to make fresh new rice for my sushi then.

Is it OK to eat 3 day old sushi? ›

It's more likely to contain parasites and bacteria and must be appropriately stored to reduce your risk of developing foodborne illnesses. Raw sushi like sashimi can be refrigerated for 1–2 days, while cooked sushi can last for 3–4 days. Neither type should be kept at room temperature for more than 2 hours.

Is it safe to eat leftover cooked sushi? ›

If you are planning to eat leftover sushi, it is important to store it properly to avoid bacterial growth. Leftover sushi should be stored in an airtight container and refrigerated within two hours of preparation. Sushi that has been left out at room temperature for more than two hours should be discarded.

Can sushi be reheated? ›

You'll want to heat it in very short bursts of no more than 30 seconds at a time. Check it before warming it again, as it will dry out your food and can destroy the texture that makes eating our sushi so enjoyable.

How long is imitation crab sushi good for? ›

If you have a leftover opened package of imitation crab meat, store it in a refrigerator set at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or lower, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). When it's properly stored in the fridge, it should be eaten within three days just like other varieties of fish, per the USDA.

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