How Long Does Cooked Fish Last in the Fridge? For years, we’ve all heard stories of tainted fish making people sick. As a result, it’s no surprise that people are wary about storing cooked fish. Fortunately, cooked fish is far safer than raw fish and is also surprisingly easy to keep.
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Cooked Fish Storage
Storing fish has always been fraught with danger due to the possibility of rotten seafood becoming poisoned. Cooked fish is much easier to keep and can be done with confidence knowing that it will be absolutely fine to eat as long as it is not stored for too long.
(For more information on fish you can eat, see our articles “can you eat saltwater catfish?” and “can you eat starfish?
Cooked Fish Storing at Room Temperature
Storing any food at room temperature is risky. Room temperature is a great environment for bacteria to grow.
Cooked fish should not be left out for more than 2 hours at room temperature.
According to the rate of bacterial development, the food will have enough bacteria on it within two hours to be declared dangerous to eat.
Fridge Storage of Cooked Fish
Food storage in the refrigerator does not totally prevent bacteria growth. It does, however, considerably slow it down.
Cooked fish can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days before it spoils. Anything after 5 days is deemed dangerous, and it is recommended that you discard the fish.
Keeping Cooked Fish in the Fridge
Cooked fish can be stored in the freezer to extend its shelf life. The fish will be OK for up to three months, although it is not recommended that you eat it at this time.
If you thaw the fish and do not consume it all, it is not recommended that you refreeze it. Consider salmon, for which we have a blog entry about refreezing thawed salmon. This will result in a significant decrease in quality and will also increase bacterial growth.
When freezing food, it is recommended that you chop it into sections so that you can defrost only what you need at any moment rather than thawing the full piece of fish.
How to Recognize Bad Cooked Fish
Smelling fish is the easiest method to know whether it has gone rotten. While fish inherently stinks, the scent becomes substantially harsher and more obvious once it has rotted.
If you have a poor sense of smell, inspect the fish for any discoloration or mould. A fish’s texture will also alter, so if it feels strange, it could be a clue that it has gone off.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Storing Cooked Fish
How long does cooked fish keep in the refrigerator?
Cooked fish can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. This is because a refrigerator will only slow down bacteria growth, not totally stop it.
How long does fried fish last?
Cooked fish can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months. It can be kept at room temperature for up to two hours before it becomes dangerous to eat.
How long can cooked salmon be stored?
Cooked salmon can be kept out at room temperature for up to 2 hours before being discarded or refrigerated. After this period has gone, any bacteria present has multiplied to the point where it is regarded dangerous for consumption.
Is it OK to consume cooked salmon after 5 days?
Cooked salmon should not be consumed beyond 5 days unless it has been frozen. Cooked salmon is safe to eat for up to 5 days, but anything beyond that is dangerous.
What is the best way to tell whether grilled fish is bad?
Fish is inherently stinky; however, if the scent is more than usual, it indicates that the fish has gone rotten.
What if I consume rotten fish?
Your disease will vary depending on how badly rotten the seafood is. Sometimes it’s just an upset stomach, but other times it’s food poisoning.
What is the shelf life of cooked fish at room temperature?
Cooked fish can be stored at room temperature for up to two hours. Bacteria reproduce quickly at this temperature, so after two hours, there will be enough bacterial growth to render the fish unsafe to eat.
How long can fried fish be stored at room temperature?
At room temperature, fried fish only lasts around two hours. Bacteria may grow and multiply quickly at this temperature, and after two hours, there will be enough bacteria to make it dangerous to ingest.