There’s nothing quite as exciting as eating sushi – a food that has become a staple around the world due to it’s artistry, taste and unique ingredients.
Not only is it one of the most healthy foods that you can choose to eat but it makes the perfect addition to any special gathering, party or get-together.
Sushi is a staple of Japanese cuisine and originates in southeast Asia. As a cultural tradition, sushi is served raw with rice, seaweed, and meat, if it is desired.
The availability of ingredients will also depend on the region.
The Japanese are passionate about everything they do and create so it would only be natural to imagine the perfect sushi dish made from only the finest ingredients available.
What makes sushi so unique is that it can be made in several different ways to suit a wide variety of tastes.
Are you getting ready to throw a party or get-together and want to know how long your sushi dish can sit out before it goes bad?
As a rule of thumb, sushi should be kept for up to 2 hours at room temperature. Otherwise, sushi that is raw should be refrigerated and consumed within 24 hours after it was prepared. Cooked sushi can last in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. However, for best taste and texture, it is best to eat your sushi once prepared rather than refrigerated.
How Long Can Raw Sushi Sit Out?
Whether you are preparing a fancy dish for yourself or a hors d’oeuvre for your family and friends, sushi is the perfect delicatessen.
Once you make the dish, it is easy to just leave it out so you may be wondering just how long you can leave it out before it goes bad?
History tells us that rice was used to cover fish so that it would increase the shelf life of fish, such as salmon.
At first, the sushi rice was not consumed; however, after making the unique discovery of how much rice complements different types of fish, sushi became famous all around the world.
Sushi can be made with or without fish or a protein which will have a direct effect on how long it can sit out.
If there is raw fish in your dish, the US FDA recommends not leaving sushi out longer than 2 hours to be on the safe side.
How Long Can Sushi Rice Sit Out?
The important thing to pay attention to when preparing your favorite sushi dish is what ingredients you will use and if you will refrigerate proteins and vegetables before serving yourself or your guests.
Sushi can be stored in a refrigerator for safekeeping or at room temperature after preparation.
On the other hand, sushi rice can be left out in room temperature after preparation.
While grocery stores keep their sushi chilled at approximately 64 degrees Fahrenheit, this temperature may differ from atmospheric temperature, which is approximately 68 degrees Fahrenheit.
There is a high risk of sushi growing bacteria if it sits out any longer than the recommended 2 hours.
So, you should consider the 2-hour rule a safety zone for your favorite sushi dish.
How Long Can Sushi Sit In Room Temperature?
Sushi is both fun and quick to prepare but can be easy to forget about, especially if you are hosting a get-together.
Did you know that leaving sushi out in room temperature may also affect the taste over time?
Sushi is one of those gourmet foods that are considered a fancy art because they are made to be eaten while fresh.
This is why you will find so many fishes already prepared in your local grocery store. You may even be lucky enough to see a sushi chef in action as they are preparing each dish by hand.
You can keep sushi out at room temperature for up to 6 hours without it going bad.
As a general rule of thumb, it is highly recommended to eat the dish before then for several different reasons that could affect its’ quality.
The chances that room temperature is slightly warmer than its refrigeration temperature is very high.
This fact suggests that sushi should not sit out for long periods of time or else it will become contaminated.
The same may be true if you want to prepare a sushi dish the nigh before an upcoming event. You may be interested in our guide on how long can California rolls sit out.
How Long Does Sushi Last In The Fridge?
Sushi can be cooked or prepared to taste depending on your preferences. The types of ingredients that you add to your dish may affect how long sushi can last in the fridge.
It is either prepared with cooked meat or raw fish which can affect just how long you can leave sushi out.
Most grocery stores have a specific area where they prepare and refrigerate sushi because it stays chilled at low temperatures.
It is recommended to refrigerate sushi at a temperature between 13 and 18 degrees Celsius which is the equivalent of between 55.4 degrees and 64.4 degrees Fahrenheit.
However, this temperature range may not be the same as room temperature which averages around 68 degrees Fahrenheit.
It is safe to say that prepared sushi can stay in the fridge for up to three days based on the refrigerator temperature.
Depending on the ingredients of your sushi dish, it may also be stored for up to a week.
How Long Can Sushi Sit Out Before It Goes Bad?
Did you know that there are several different types of sushi? This is mainly due to the evolution of the delicatessen over the years.
The way sushi is prepared may also vary depending in the style or geographic location of where it is served.
The key to understanding just how long sushi can sit out without going bad is by identifying the ingredients.
Sushi can be made several different ways using different toppings, stuffings and sauces.
While there is a wide variety of sushi to choose from, the most popular ingredient of sushi is raw fish.
Salmon sushi and crab sushi are very popular and healthy as long as they are prepared and stored properly.
There is a high risk of sushi growing bacteria if it sits out any longer than this time period. It follows the rule of other prepared foods in this sense.
You should consider the 2-hour rule a safety zone for your favorite prepared sushi dish.
How Long Can Cooked Sushi Sit Out?
When you think of leaving sushi out, you may think that it is okay if it doesn’t contain raw fish.
Identifying the ingredients in your sushi dish will help you determine how long you can leave sushi out before it goes bad.
Nowadays, there are many different variations and styles of sushi that can satisfy both meat lovers and vegans alike.
The type of sushi that is made with cooked meat is also known as “unagi” or “anago”. The type of sushi that you are serving can affect how long you can leave sushi out before it becomes inedible.
Cooked sushi should not sit out any longer than 2 hours, no matter what type of protein is used. Some different types of proteins used to create this dish are:
- Beef
- Chicken
- Eel
- Horse
- Venison
Even though sushi is covered in cooked rice, this does not increase the length of time that it can sit out. The rice will add flavor and texture but will not protect the protein from going bad over time.
Can Sushi Rice Be Left Out Overnight?
If you want to host a party or get-together and serve sushi as one of your dishes, you may want to know just how long you can leave sushi out safely?
We all love going to a good cook-out where your favorite foods are cooked and everyone dines to their delight.
Sometimes we even prepare these foods ahead of time to save time when it comes to the day of the event.
The less time we spend preparing foods is more time that can be spent visiting with guests, which is truly the main focus. It is possible to leave sushi out overnight, although it is not recommended.
Sushi rice can sit out up to 6 hours depending on the location and atmosphere.
How To Keep Sushi Fresh Overnight?
When you make large amounts of sushi at one time, you may end up having more than you need at your event.
If this happens, you may wonder how well it will hold overnight after it has been prepared?
To store your favorite sushi dish, you may want to bring ice and a refrigeration unit so as to safely serve this dish.
The idea is to prevent any bacteria growth from the time the sushi is prepared to the time it is consumed.
Even sushi chefs recommend the food being eaten as close to preparation as possible.
This helps to really capture the taste of the fresh ingredients so that you can enjoy the dish the way it was made to taste.
While sushi rice can be left out overnight without going bad, it is not recommended to do this.
Final Considerations
If you want to keep your dish out overnight, you will want to cover it with an air-tight container of some type.
You may also want to consider having it sit on ice or keeping it at a lower temperature to make sure that it does not spoil.
No matter what your taste or preference, there is sure to be a sushi dish that suits your needs and can safely be served as your next meal!
My name is Keren Tayler. I am a stay-at-home mama to three lovely girls, Sarah + Rachel + Hannah. Prior to becoming a mom, I had a successful career in the accounting field, steps away from becoming a CPA. I decided to give up on my career in order to raise my own kids (as opposed to letting a nanny do it, no judgment here :)) I learned a lot and I love sharing it with other moms. Along the way, I also became a Certified Food Handler.