Leftover foods can be eaten if stored in the refrigerator at accurate temperatures. Every food has a shelf life and is safe to eat within that time duration. It is interesting to know for how long a highly perishable item like fish can be kept in a refrigerator once it is cooked before it is not safe to eat anymore. Read this article to get an answer.Â
Can Cooked Fish Be Kept in a Refrigerator?
Yes, it can be. Refrigeration stores the usable life of the fish and other sea foods. Keeping a cooked fish in the refrigerator protects it from bacterial growth but does not totally prevent and stop it. The stored fish does spoil even in the fridge after the recommended time. But it is the best thing that you should do to a fish once it is cooked to keep it in the refrigerator so that it can be eaten after some time as well.
How Long Can Cooked Fish be Kept in a Refrigerator?
It can be kept for 3-4 days. In this time period, the chemistry of fish remains normal and it is safe to eat, but after 3-4 days it is not safe to consume. Normally you can keep the cooked fish in the refrigerator for a greater time than the raw fish.
The time duration for how long a cooked fish is safe to eat after being kept in a refrigerator also depends on the type of fish. A fatty fish like salmon and herring will get a bad taste and smell more quickly than a lean fish like cod and will not be safe to eat after that.
What Should Be The Temperature Of The Refrigerator?
The freshly cooked fish should be stored in the refrigerator below 40 between 35 F- 38 F. This is the ideal and safe refrigeration temperature to keep the fish and all other foods in the refrigerator. This temperature protects the foods by inhibiting bacterial growth for a certain time. Bacteria normally grow at temperatures above 40 degrees F and they should be stored below this temperature.
How Long Can You Store Cooked Fish In A Freezer?
A cooked fish can be stored for up to 3 months. Freezing the cooked fish helps get the longest shelf life of the fish and protects it from going bad. You can enjoy your cooked fish as fresh and usable for about 3 months if it is stored in a freezer. It is ideal to vacuum seal the fish and then store it in the freezer, so it will last twice long before getting bad and unsafe to eat.
How To Know If Cooked Fish Cannot Be Consumed Anymore?
There is a distinct difference between freshly cooked fish and fish that are stored in the refrigerator. A freshly cooked fish has a fresh fishy smell, and when it is stored in the refrigerator, over time, the smell changes to pungent. The texture of the fish also starts to change after some time. When the fish starts to discolor, looks overly dry, and becomes dark, mushy, or slimy then it is time to throw that fish. So, you can obviously feel the difference and identify when the cooked fish is not safe to eat anymore.
Conclusion
You can keep a cooked fish in refrigeration for 3-4 days. Once you have cooked the fish, the best thing to protect its usable life is to keep it in the refrigerator so that you can eat the leftover fish as well. Once the recommended storing time has passed, the smell, taste, and texture of the fish start to change and you can feel the visible difference that is it not safe to eat anymore. The cooked fish can be stored for up to 3 months in the freezer before it is no longer safe to eat.
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