How Long Can Thawed Fish Stay In Refrigerator: A Food Safety Guide

When considering the consumption of fish that has been thawed after being frozen, it’s essential to understand its shelf life to ensure safety and quality. When you place frozen fish in the refrigerator for thawing, it typically extends its storage duration by an additional day. Therefore, if you store frozen fish in your fridge to initiate the thawing process, it can be safely kept for a period ranging from 2 to 3 days. However, it is highly recommended to cook the fish within 24 hours after it has fully defrosted to maintain its freshness and taste. This guideline is applicable as of March 14, 2023, and helps ensure the best culinary experience while prioritizing food safety.

How long can you safely store fish in the refrigerator before it goes bad? When it comes to raw fish and shellfish, it’s best to keep them in the refrigerator at a temperature of 40 °F/4.4 °C or lower for no more than 1 or 2 days before you either cook them or freeze them for longer preservation. After cooking, you can safely store seafood in the refrigerator for a period of 3 to 4 days. If you’ve frozen fish or shellfish, they will remain safe to eat indefinitely from a food safety perspective, but it’s worth noting that their flavor and texture may deteriorate if stored for extended periods. So, while they won’t spoil, the quality may decline over time. It’s essential to check the packaging or labeling for specific storage guidelines and always use your best judgment when evaluating the freshness of seafood. (Information as of September 22, 2023)