How long does uncooked fish last in the fridge?
In this brief guide, we are going to answer the question “how long does uncooked fish last in the fridge” with an in-depth analysis of the shelf life of uncooked fish in different conditions. Moreover, we are going to discuss the proper way to store uncooked fish in the fridge and the different ways to spot a bad fish.
So without much ado, let’s dive in and figure out more about it.
How long does uncooked fish last in the fridge?
Uncooked fish lasts for 1-2 days if it is stored at approximately 40°F or below in the fridge in a plastic zipper bag according to the USDA.
Moreover, the cooked fish last for about 3-4 days. The meat group itself is perishable and when it comes to fish it is one of the most highly perishable commodities, therefore care should be taken in handling, cooking, and storing fish.
Why should you store uncooked fish at or below 40°F?
You should always store your uncooked fish at 40°F or below. Bacterial growth takes place at a faster pace between the temperature of 40°F and 140°F, therefore it is always advised to store your uncooked fish at a lower temperature than this.
Being a highly perishable commodity uncooked fish is both prone to pathogenic and spoilage bacteria. The spoilage bacteria can degrade its quality while the pathogenic bacteria can cause several diseases including food poisoning if someone consumes the fish that has gone bad.
How long does uncooked fish last at room temperature?
Uncooked fish lasts for about 2 hours when kept at room temperature. You should discard the uncooked fish that has been left in open for more than 2 hours as bacterial growth takes place at a faster pace between the temperature of 40°F and 140°F, therefore there are greater chances of the raw fish being already contaminated with bacteria when left out for more than 2 hours.
How long does uncooked fish last in the freezer?
Uncooked fish lasts for about 3-8 months in the freezer if stored properly in an air-tight container, plastic freezer bag, or heavy-duty freezer container. It is also recommended to wrap your uncooked fish in aluminum foil or plastic wrap before putting it in the heavy-duty freezer container or air-tight container to prevent freezer burns on it.
Other FAQs about Fish which you may be interested in.
How to cook fish so it doesn’t taste fishy?
How should you store uncooked fish in the fridge?
Firstly take out the fish from its package and put it in an air-tight plastic zipper bag. Afterward, squeeze the air out of the bag, place it in a bowl full of ice cubes, and store it in the refrigerator. You should always store uncooked fish in air-tight plastic zipper bags as fish has a strong odor therefore by putting it in a plastic zipper bag will save your fridge from smelling like fish.
It is better to store your uncooked fish container on one of the shelves of the fridge rather than the door as the temperature fluctuates a lot at the fridge door. Moreover, always opt for storing the uncooked fish on the lowest shelf of the refrigerator to prevent it from dripping into other food items.
It is worth mentioning that whenever you are out buying fish, always buy the fresh fish having bright colors, shiny appearance, and shiny eyes with a slight bulge. You should not buy fish with grey hues or dull appearance.
You can read how to make crispy pan-fried fish here.
How long does uncooked fish last after being frozen and thawed?
Frozen raw fish if thawed in the refrigerator can stay there for 1-2 days before cooking. But if you thaw your uncooked fish in a bowl of cold water or the microwave, it is advised to cook it immediately afterward.
How to tell if uncooked fish has gone bad?
You can tell whether or not uncooked fish has gone bad by considering its appearance, texture, and smell.
Appearance
The appearance of off-colors (grey hues) is the indication that fish has gone bad and you should discard it.
Texture
If the texture of fish is too slimy or gooey it is the indication that your uncooked fish has gone bad.
Smell
If you smell something putrid or sour while taking a sniff test, then it is an indication of a bad fish.
Conclusion
In this brief guide, we answered the question “how long does uncooked fish last in the fridge” with an in-depth analysis of the shelf life of uncooked fish in different conditions. Moreover, we discussed the proper way to store uncooked fish in the fridge and the different ways to spot a bad fish.
Citations
https://ask.usda.gov/s/article/How-long-can-you-store-fish
