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  • Kameron Conley

How to Keep Sushi Fresh Overnight

Updated: Sep 7, 2022


how to keep sushi fresh overnight

Have you ever wondered how to keep sushi fresh overnight?


You've just eaten a delicious meal at the new sushi restaurant in town. You look at the food that's left on the table and think you can't possibly eat more sushi than you already have. But can you save the sushi? Have you ever thought about how to keep sushi fresh overnight?


Most people go out to eat sushi or bring it home as take-out. We tend to try to order just the right amount because most people correctly assume that sushi is best eaten fresh and immediate. But what happens if you overorder? Or if you're just not quite as hungry as you thought?

You're in luck! This is a best practice and answer to the question of how to keep sushi fresh overnight!


Can I keep sushi fresh overnight?

Here is the truth: sushi does taste best if you eat it the same day it's made. That's said, there are a lot of things that are stated about food that aren't the whole story. Even though it is in your best interest taste-wise to eat your sushi the day you order it, it is possible to properly store it overnight so that you can enjoy it the next day.


The key here is to be sure you follow all the steps outlined. If you don't prepare your sushi to be in the fridge overnight, you might not like what you find in the morning! Keep reading to discover how to keep sushi fresh overnight.


Why does sushi have to be stored properly?

Sushi is a delicate preparation of fresh, often raw fish, and is frequently accompanied by a combination of vegetables and sushi rice. Depending on what you order, your sushi might also have different types of vegetables, seaweed, or sauces (like soy sauce or a spicy mayo). As you can see most sushi rolls have at least one ingredient that is considered perishable. Therefore, you need to be sure you are storing it properly if you want to safely consume it the next day.


If you leave sushi in the fridge for too long, it will lose some of its delicate characteristics. The reason for this is that sushi is made up of ingredients that need to remain in their freshest state in order to not break down and change in taste/texture. Here are some examples of what might happen to sushi after 24 hours in the fridge:

  • Sushi rice might start to dry out, becoming tough and somewhat crumbly

  • Fish that are raw may be prone to spoiling or bacterial growth

  • Any vegetables and fruits in sushi could begin to brown or become soggy

  • Nori (edible seaweed) becomes chewy if left in the fridge too long

As you can see there are many ingredients in sushi, that when used in combination, can turn if you leave them in the fridge for longer than 24 hours.


A happy medium for the freshest rolls

Although you can keep sushi fresh overnight in the fridge, it really doesn't keep for more than 24 hours. In fact, sushi will always be at its freshest either right after it's made, or within a few hours. It's important for the integrity of the ingredients that its kept out of direct sunlight and away from any heating elements. This is so that everything included in the sushi keeps its originally intended taste and form.


Here are some things you can do to store sushi in the fridge for a few hours, or how to keep sushi fresh overnight.


1. If you are going to try to store sushi for any amount of time after it's first made, you need to take specific precautions so as to be sure it doesn't spoil in the time between meals.


It's important to follow instructions closely or you risk ingredients spoiling and becoming sick from what you eat.


2. If you know you are not going to finish your sushi and want to store it overnight, you should wrap each roll or piece tightly in plastic wrap.


This will prevent your sushi from overexposure to air or bacteria from other food inside the fridge.


3. After rolls are tightly wrapped, place them inside an airtight container.


When you wrap your sushi rolls tightly and then put them in a tightly sealed container you are protecting yourself from food contamination doubly.


All steps are important if you want to be able to eat your sushi with the peace of knowing that not only do you stay healthy and not get sick but that it will taste as fresh as possible for up to 24 hours!


How to know if your sushi has gone bad

Even though you can store sushi overnight and still eat it (up to 24 hours!), it's still important to understand what sushi looks and smells like if it's gone bad. Fresh sushi has a vibrant color and shouldn't smell fishy or look soggy. The rice should be firm. There are a few telltale signs you can look for to be sure you won't get sick from eating sushi that's gone bad.

  • Fish that looks dull in color and smells "fishy"

  • Vegetables that look soggy or have changed in color

  • Sushi rice that feels hard or crumbly to touch

Fish is truly best within a few hours of preparation and, if left out without refrigeration, can become worse and cause illness if eaten. If you are going to store sushi overnight, preparing it carefully will help to ensure that no one becomes sick from eating food that's gone bad.

Now you know how to keep sushi fresh overnight- the right way


We know it's not always possible to finish all the delicious food you've ordered in one sitting. Let's face it, sometimes our eyes are bigger than our stomachs, and leftovers are unavoidable. Remember if you find yourself in this situation, you can properly prepare your sushi to be stored for a few hours or overnight in the fridge and still have a delicious meal the next day.


Come try our fresh sushi and follow us for delicious tips!

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