Does Sushi Go Bad？How Long Does It Last?

Sushi is one of the most popular meals at restaurants, food courts and made at home. People just can’t get enough of the versatility, the lightness of the meal, and the health benefits.

However, sushi lovers might find themselves in a situation where they aren’t sure if the sushi they want to eat is fresh. In this case, it is crucial to know whether sushi goes bad.

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Does Sushi Go Bad

Unfortunately, sushi goes bad pretty quickly. The reason for this is the ingredients used when preparing sushi. Although sushi doesn’t necessarily contain raw fish as sashimi does, it typically contains seafood, eggs, seaweed, and prepared fish.

Whenever it comes to seafood or fish products that have gone bad, consumption can be hazardous.There are several health risks because spoiled seafood or fish contain parasites or bacteria that can cause severe diseases.

In addition, sushi that includes vegetables or tofu products tends to last much longer and shouldn’t be eaten because it can lead to significant discomfort or bowel irritation.

How Long Does Sushi Last?

Sushi is well-known for not having an extended shelf life. Therefore, the best approach is to eat your sushi right after the chef places it on your plate.

However, it is not always that simple when it comes to sushi that you buy at the store. If you are purchasing a refrigerated bento box containing sushi, a label should state the use-by-date. Since sushi might have raw fish or seafood, it is suggested that you follow that date strictly.

The shelf life of your sushi depends on the ingredients used, how it was prepared, and how it was packaged. A good rule of thumb is to consume unrefrigerated sushi within 2 hours. If you buy your sushi from a refrigerated display, finish it within three days.

It is also vital that you put your sushi in the fridge the minute you get home. However, if you doubt whether your sushi is still fresh, don’t take the risk.

How Long Does Sushi Last?	Refrigerated
Refrigerated, packaged, unopened sushi	3 days
Refrigerated, packaged, opened sushi	24 hours
Unrefrigerated sushi on display	2 hours

4 Tips to Tell if Sushi has Gone Bad

Making your sushi at home or sampling sushi at a fish market is an exciting experience. First, however, you must know when sushi is safe for consumption. Here are four tips that will help you know whether your sushi is still fresh and safe to eat.

The firmness of the sushi

Fish that is still fresh has a firm texture. If you press your finger on a piece of fresh fish, it will bounce back instantly. However, if you touch the fish on your sushi and it doesn’t spring back, it is probably not fresh, and you should not eat it. Likewise, fish that has gone past its best consumption date might feel mushy.

The smell of the sushi

Although sushi contains fish, it shouldn’t smell fishy. If your sushi has a pungent smell, it isn’t fresh anymore, and you shouldn’t consume it. If your sushi is very cold when you get it, give it a minute or two to rise in temperature and then smell it. If you smell a strong or noticeable smell on your sushi, avoid eating it.

The color of the sushi

Fresh fish has vibrant and appealing colors. However, fish prepared some time in advance or gone past its best consumption date will appear dull. As fish approaches its expiry date, it loses its natural color.

Having high standards when it comes to sushi

The place where you are buying your sushi can also indicate the quality and freshness of your sushi. Therefore, take the time to look around. If the restaurant or fish market is clean and the fish is proudly displayed, the chances might be higher that the sushi you’ll consume there will be fresh. If you are eating at a sushi restaurant and you aren’t sure about the freshness of the sushi, don’t be afraid to ask.

3 Tips to Store Sushi

Knowing how to store sushi properly and safely might mean the difference between having a happy munch on sushi or sadly throwing it away.

Storing sushi for 24 hours or overnight

If you have made or bought fresh sushi, you can store your sushi in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. First, however, it would be best if you wrapped every roll or piece of sushi with plastic wrap or cling wrap tightly.

After that, put the pieces or rolls into a container that is dry and clean. Make sure it is an airtight container.

Then place the container in the fridge right away. It is not advised to store your homemade sushi for longer than 24 hours. Sushi’s quality starts to deteriorate quickly after 24 hours. After 24 hours, you’ll begin to notice these things:

Your sushi’s rice has begun to dry out.
Your sushi’s fish and other ingredients will start to become soggy.
If your sushi contains nori, it will be chewy and tough to eat.

Sushi made with cooked seafood might be acceptable to eat after 24 hours, but the sushi will decrease in quality, so it won’t be enjoyable anyway.

Storing homemade sushi for a couple of hours

Storing sushi properly is essential to avoid bacteria growth. Therefore, even if you intend to eat your sushi in a few hours, you can’t leave your sushi unrefrigerated for extended periods.

The most extended amount of time that you can leave your homemade sushi unrefrigerated is four hours. If you plan to eat it long after four hours, you should rather store it in the refrigerator and take it out ten minutes before consumption. The best-refrigerated temperature is between 13 and 18 degrees Celsius, or 55 and 64 degrees Fahrenheit.

In this case, you don’t have to wrap your sushi pieces or rolls individually. If you keep your sushi unrefrigerated, be sure to eat it within 4 hours. Rice left unrefrigerated for longer than eight hours might contain bacteria that can make you sick.

This bacteria is called Bacillus Cereus. On top of that, the seafood, fish, or eggs in your sushi might have bacteria growth if left unrefrigerated, too.

Since sushi is meant to be enjoyed at room temperature, it is best to keep your sushi refrigerated until ten minutes before serving.

Preparing and storing can make your homemade sushi last longer

If you are making your own sushi, you want to use the best quality and freshest ingredients you can find. It also helps if you use the correct tools needed to make sushi.

By using the proper sushi tools, you will manage to make the pieces more compact, allowing for less airflow. Only use clean utensils and a work surface that has been cleaned properly. It would be devastating if your sushi didn’t last because you used contaminated utensils. It is also best if you work in the proper environment and temperature.

If possible, avoid preparing your sushi outside because you might not be able to prevent dust from getting into your sushi. It is also easier to control the temperature while inside.

Finally, it is also best to know how to prepare sushi properly. Several fantastic videos and websites can show you the best ways to prepare your sushi. These videos and websites will also tell you what to use and what to avoid when making sushi, leading to sushi with a more extended shelf life.

If you are storing your homemade sushi overnight, wrap each row or piece properly before placing them in an airtight container. Then refrigerate the container. If you plan to eat your homemade sushi within 12 hours, keep it refrigerated without wrapping each piece or roll individually.

The Risk of Consuming Expired Sushi

There are several severe health risks when it comes to consuming expired sushi. Listeria is one of the risks, and it is dangerous for pregnant women.

In addition, people who have eaten suspicious sushi and are experiencing intense abdominal pain, vomiting, and nausea should see their doctor immediately.

It is also possible to get Salmonella from eating expired sushi. Finally, you also risk exposing yourself to scombroid food poisoning by consuming sushi that isn’t fresh.

Can You Freeze Sushi?

Yes, it is possible to freeze your sushi if it is made with raw fish. You can do this without food poisoning concerns because you destroy all the parasites by freezing the fish.

However, it isn’t recommended to freeze your raw fish sushi for more than four months. It is also worth keeping in mind that the ingredients that your sushi is made with, like rice, might not freeze well and will result in your sushi not tasting great.

Therefore, freezing for four months is acceptable if you are freezing raw fish, but if it is in sushi form, you shouldn’t freeze it for longer than three days.

Summary

Sushi is a great delight to be shared with family and friends. So make your own or treat yourself to a great meal at your favorite restaurant. Enjoy your sushi fresh, and make sure you always keep an eye on your sushi to make sure your sushi hasn’t gone bad.

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