How long does sushi last before going bad?

Sushi is so delicious, if only we could store a little supply ready to eat at all times. Well, you can, with a sushi at home kit, but you’ll be busy… 

Sushi is designed to be made and eaten as soon as possible. All the ingredients should be high quality, fresh and glistening. Sushi has a very short lifespan; there are no hidden additives or preservatives. We explain how long you can keep it for and how best to store it. 

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 is properly stored in the fridge, it can last a few 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 most will last for up to one week in the fridge. And veggie sushi can last up to two months if frozen. However, if sushi contains avocado, this does limit its freshness. 

Sushi with other meats

Cooked meats are much safer to store than raw meat. 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 potential cross contamination and the rice from drying out too quickly. Be aware that the quality of the rice can deteriorate a lot once refrigerated due to the retrogradation of the starch, becoming dry and chalky. An elegant and traditional sushi bento box is practical for storing freshly prepared sushi.

However, we recommend that any shop-bought sushi is eaten on the day of purchase and any homemade sushi is best eaten on the day it’s made. 

Can you freeze sushi? 

Yes, you can freeze most sushi for months. However, it depends on the ingredients in the sushi. If sushi contains previously defrosted ingredients such as raw tuna or cooked prawns, it should not be frozen. 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. You also need to be aware that once you have defrosted the sushi (or any frozen sushi ingredients), it can’t be refrozen.

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 ingredients, it’s hard to imagine any being leftover!