How Long Can Tilapia Stay in the Fridge? Things To Know

This article will cover how long tilapia keeps in the fridge as well as tips for extending its shelf life.

Fish such as tilapia have a short shelf life in the refrigerator and begin to spoil after a few days. When refrigerated, how long does tilapia stay fresh?

At room temperature, raw tilapia can only be left out for two hours. However, if you live in a hot climate, you might find it safer to limit the amount of time your fish is exposed to the air to no more than 60 minutes.

Thus, we have information on how long tilapia keeps in the fridge and advice on how to handle it.

How Long Will Tilapia Last in the Fridge?

Fish should generally be consumed within a few days of being caught because they are so perishable. Tilapia is somewhat more understanding, though. The refrigerator is a safe place to keep this well-liked white fish for up to four days.

It must be eaten right away because after that it will start to deteriorate. Tilapia should be kept in an airtight container or tightly wrapped in plastic wrap for storage. This will lessen the likelihood of it drying out or absorbing other potent smells from the refrigerator.

Tilapia should be consumed within two days of cooking for the best results. Beyond that, it is best to err on the side of caution and freeze it or throw it out.

How Long Does Cooked Tilapia Last in the Fridge?

The refrigerator can hold cooked tilapia for up to 4 days. Tilapia that has been cooked should be kept in its original container or placed into a premium airtight container when storing it in the refrigerator.

Cross-contamination and spoilage are things that this will help to avoid. Prior to putting the item back into the container, make sure the surface is dry by patting off any extra moisture with paper towels.

How Long Does Vacuum-Sealed Tilapia Last in the Fridge?

Vacuum-sealed lean fish, such as tilapia, have a maximum shelf life of 5 days in the refrigerator, though I would only keep it for 3–4 days. It’s best to put the fish in the freezer if you won’t be using it the following day.

How Long Does Tilapia Last in the Freezer?

A minimum 6 to 8 months that raw tilapia can be stored in the freezer. To prevent freezer burn, it should be stored in airtight, freezer-safe containers. Keep in mind that the freezer should remain at a constant 0°F (-18°C) temperature.

Use freezer paper, airtight heavy-duty plastic wrap, or a heavy-duty freezer bag to cover the tilapia’s original store packaging to extend its shelf life in the freezer and prevent freezer burn.

How Do You Know If It’s Spoiled?

Tilapia that has gone bad can be detected by a number of signs.

1. First, look for bruising or discoloration on the fish. It is likely that spoilage will start if the tilapia turns brown or grey.
2. Second, tilapia which is bad typically has a slimy texture. It would be beneficial if you avoided fish that smelled strongly of ammonia.
3. It is best to discard the tilapia if it satisfies any of these requirements. However, if the fish appears and smells normal, it is probably okay to eat.

Remember that the smell of spoiled cooked tilapia won’t be as strong as that of tilapia that hasn’t been properly refrigerated. The best course of action is always to err on the side of caution and discard any tilapia that you are unsure is safe to eat.

How to Store Tilapia Long Term in the Fridge?

To keep the raw tilapia long-term, you must follow the following steps:

1. Wash your hands before touching fish to prevent contamination with bacteria
2. When you hold the fish, don’t touch its eyes, fins, and gills
3. Remove the head from the tilapia and the tail
4. Wash tilapia thoroughly with cold water and then dry it with a paper towel
5. On a clean cutting board, place the tilapia and remove the fins
6. Cut tilapia through the backbone and open the fish into fillets (parting it into two halves)
7. Remove the bones and clean the fillets using a damp cloth
8. Wrap fillets in plastic wrap
9. Put them inside an open zipper storage
10. Then you can store it in the refrigerator, making sure the temperature is below 40°F

How to Store Cooked Tilapia?

When it comes to storing cooked fish, there are numerous problems. The fish does not live for the same amount of time. It will affect their shelf life and how we should store them if some are fat and others are thin (like tilapia).

Tilapia that has been cooked should be kept in the freezer or refrigerator in an airtight container. Tilapia keeps its freshness for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. Tilapia keeps its quality in the freezer for up to 4 months.

How to Thaw Tilapia?

It takes tilapia roughly 24 hours to thaw. There are different ways to thaw frozen tilapia:

• Before cooking, put it in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours.
• Put it in a shallow dish and cover it with water.

If tilapia has thawed, avoid refreezing it. Additionally, there is a high likelihood of cross-contamination, which raises questions about the safety of the food.

You should never defrost it at room temperature, which is another crucial fact to be aware of. The fish shouldn’t be allowed to thaw on the counter because doing so will render it unfit for consumption. The primary explanation for this is that while the fish’s interior will remain frozen, its exterior will quickly warm to room temperature.

So, while you wait for the fish fillet’s center to thaw, bacteria will be growing outside.

Conclusion: Keep Tilapia Stay in the Fridge

Particularly in Asia and the United States, tilapia is a common ingredient in many people’s diets. It contains nutrients that are vital for our health as well as being a great source of protein. But in order to reap the full benefits of eating this fish, we must make sure that the tilapia is fresh and unspoiled.

A great choice for a nutritious, low-fat protein that can be kept in the refrigerator for up to two days is tilapia. So give tilapia a try if you’re looking for a simple way to increase your protein intake.

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