Sushi is a popular food around the world and can be found in restaurants and grocery stores everywhere. But how long does sushi last? Is it safe to eat after the expiration date? Can you freeze it? In this article, we’ll answer all your questions about the shelf life of sushi.
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How long is sushi good for?
Sushi is a popular dish made from seafood and rice. It is usually served raw, but can also be cooked. Lots of people wonder if you can eat leftover sushi. Well, the shelf life of sushi can vary depending on the type of sushi and how it is stored.
Sushi that contains fish can last between three days and a week in the fridge (depending on the type, more on that later), while sushi without fish can last for up to a week. If you freeze sushi, it will last for about one to two months. However, it’s important to note that freezing changes the texture and flavor of the sushi, so it may not taste as good as fresh sushi.
There are a few telltale signs that your sushi has gone bad and is no longer safe to eat. We’ve compiled a list of 11 signs that your sushi is no longer good to eat, plus provide tips on extending sushi shelf life. For example, If the rice is dry or discolored, or the fish looks or smells strange, you shouldn’t eat the sushi. Smell your sushi before eating it to make sure that it doesn’t smell off. If it does, don’t take a chance and throw it away!
Sushi without fish usually lasts longer than sushi with fish because of how it is prepared. Since raw fish has a shorter shelf life, you will need to be more cautious when making sushi with raw fish. Because most grocery stores keep their seafood refrigerated, you can usually find fresh raw salmon in the store that has not yet been cooked or sliced into pieces for sushi. However, it’s best to check the expiration date just in case.
Related: Best Sushi Grade Fish Guide
Raw fish used in sushi can go bad very quickly. If you have leftover sushi with raw fish in it, you should eat it within two days to be on the safe side (as long as it was refrigerated).
Most people believe that sushi has an expiration date of one day, but this is not actually true. Sushi without fish can last up to a week if stored properly in your refrigerator. However, once you add fish to the mix, you are cutting your safe time down by half because raw fish has a shorter shelf life than cooked or non-fish seafood rolls. If you aren’t sure how long your sushi will last before going bad, check out our guide below!
Sushi shelf life guide (for popular sushi types)
We’re assuming that your refrigerator and freezer have the following settings, as this will affect the amount of time that the sushi will be safe to eat. If you’re buying fish for sushi or sashimi, make sure you are getting the highest quality products — either locally or from an online seafood delivery company.
- Refrigerator (Store at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below)
- Freezer (Store at 0 degrees Fahrenheit or below)
To be safe and extend the life of the sushi, simply remove your sushi from its container and wrap it tightly in plastic before placing it inside a zip lock bag or airtight sushi container box and storing it. Pack all ingredients separately to prevent any raw seafood, which spoils faster than cooked fish, from coming into contact with the rice.
How long does sushi last in the fridge?
Keep in mind that these are only estimates and may vary depending on where or how the food is stored.
Any sushi with raw fish (or other seafood)
Sushi with raw fish will last for up to two days if refrigerated properly, but should probably be eaten within a day. This type of sushi has the highest risk of going bad quickly and it’s usually not worth risking getting sick or having an upset stomach.
Raw sushi will last for one month if kept frozen. If in doubt, toss it.
Vegetarian sushi (without fish, egg or shrimp)
Sushi without fish will last for up to one week in the refrigerator, but should be eaten within three days if not refrigerated properly. The safest route is to stick with saving only the non-fish rolls as leftovers whenever possible.
This type of sushi can last for two months if kept in a freezer.
Cooked tuna or salmon
Cooked tuna or salmon sushi will last for up to two days if refrigerated properly.
Cooked sushi will last for four months if kept frozen.
Cooked shrimp, octopus, eel
Sushi will last for up to one week if stored properly.
Sushi can last for two months if kept in a freezer.
Egg and tamago (omelet)
Sushi will last for up to one week if stored properly.
Sushi can last for two months if kept in a freezer.
11 signs that your sushi has gone bad
Wondering how to tell if sushi has gone bad? There are a few signs that can indicate that sushi has gone bad and is no longer safe to eat. Here are eleven of them:
1. The rice has been exposed to air for too long and has become hard or dry.
2. The fish has a slimy texture.
3. The roll is a sour or moldy smell.
4. The fish is discolored or has begun to rot.
5. The nori (seaweed) is wilted or discolored.
6. There are insects inside the roll or around the packaging.
7. The rice is wet or slimy.
8. The sushi tastes bland, fishy, or sour.
9. The ingredients look unappetizing.
10. The container is leaking or sticky.
11. There are visible mold spots on the fish, veggies or rice.
Conclusion
The takeaway message is that many type of sushi can last for up to one week in the refrigerator when stored properly, or for up to two months in the freezer (depending on the type of sushi and how it was handled).
If kept at room temperature or placed in too warm an area for too long before refrigerating, raw fish can spoil and go bad much more quickly than cooked sushi. There are many signs that you can look for that indicate when sushi has gone bad.
Common Questions
Can you eat sushi the next day?
Many types of sushi can be eaten the next day if it has been refrigerated. But ultimately, it really depends on the type of sushi (like, if it contained any raw or cooked fish) and how it was stored (out in the open, in the fridge, or frozen).
Can you freeze sushi and how long will it last in the freezer?
Yes, you can freeze sushi. In fact, freezing sushi is a great way to preserve it for later use. Most sushi will last in a freezer for one to two months if stored at 0 degrees Fahrenheit or below.
How to tell if sushi has gone bad?
When it comes to food safety, temperature control is key. Improper storage of sushi will not only make for an unappetizing meal, but can also be dangerous if consumed due to the possibility of contracting food poisoning via salmonella-tainted raw fish (which is commonly found in non-cooked rolls)
Andre Alexander
Andre tried sushi when he was 12 and was hooked. He studied Japanese in high school and was good enough to earn a free trip to Japan… unsurprisingly, he remembers none of it decades later! As a diving enthusiast, he has a deep appreciation for marine life and sustainability efforts.
