Culinary question: how long can you store fried fish in the refrigerator and without?
Fried fish is tasty and healthy. Often it is prepared for future use and stored in the refrigerator or freezer until the next meal.
However, you need to remember that this is a perishable product in which pathogenic bacteria multiply very quickly.
Read the article about proper storage of fried fish.
Content
Shelf life of the dish
The shelf life of fried fish directly depends on where it is stored: in the freezer, in the refrigerator or at room temperature. What matters is the type of packaging, the degree of protection against moisture evaporation and the quality of product preparation.
At room temperature
If possible, it is better to store fried fish in a cool place. The higher the ambient temperature, the faster it deteriorates. The average air temperature in an apartment is +23...+25 degrees, and in the kitchen it often exceeds these figures.
Under such conditions, the fried product will be edible for 3 hours. After the specified period of time, bacteria will begin to multiply in it, while the appearance and smell will remain unchanged.
In a refrigerator
After frying, the fish must be put in the refrigerator. There it will remain edible for 1.5 days (no more than 36 hours). It must be taken into account that the temperature inside the refrigerator is constantly changing. Approximate range +2…+6 degrees.
This depends on a number of factors:
From the settings set by the user.- On the level of loading of the shelves. The more food they contain, the denser the pots, containers and bags are, the worse the cold air circulates, which means they will cool differently.
- From the location of the product. The closer the food is to the door, the more susceptible they are to temperature changes, which means they spoil faster.
In the freezer
In the freezer, fried fish can remain edible for 3 months. In this case, the temperature in the chamber should not be lower than -18 degrees. A prerequisite is high-quality sealing of the product and no contact with air.
It is better to place fish on the lower shelves. They are opened less often, so warm air masses do not enter them as often.
Can it be frozen?
Fried fish can be frozen. It’s good if the fillet is sent to the freezer. Bones speed up the spoilage of the product. The presence of entrails in fish is unacceptable.
Its taste will also remain unchanged, but only if it is defrosted correctly.
How to properly store?
Preparation before storage:
- Before storing fried fish in the refrigerator, it must be cooled. Immediately after frying, you cannot send it for storage.If you place a hot product in the cold, it will begin to actively release steam, which will turn into condensate, which is fertile ground for the proliferation of microbial flora.
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The fish, cooled to room temperature, is transferred to a plastic container or enamel bowl.Be sure to cover the container with a lid. This will prevent the smell from spreading throughout the refrigerator.
The fish itself can also absorb extraneous aromas. Therefore, store it only in closed form.
- If there are no dishes with lids, place the fish on a plate and wrap it in cling film or foil. As a last resort, use a clean plastic bag.
- It is best to place the product on the bottom shelf, closer to the back wall.
- It is unacceptable to leave fish in the pan in which it was fried. This will lead to oil absorption and a decrease in the taste of the product. Cast iron frying pans can interact with meat and lead to the destruction of healthy Omega-3 and Omega-6 fats.
Preparation before placing in the freezer:
- after frying, the fish is cooled to room temperature;
- for 1-2 hours it is left in a plastic container in the refrigerator on any of the shelves;
- transfer the product to a container suitable for freezing and put it in the freezer;
- Fish should be laid out in the freezer in one layer, which ensures uniform freezing of the entire carcass.
- when it is completely frozen, it can be transferred.
- It is best to store fried fish in the freezer in vacuum bags; it will not dry out in them, even if left for several months.
In the freezer, the fish must be protected from the cold. Exposed areas are exposed to low temperatures, which leads to rapid removal of moisture and provokes cold burns. This negatively affects the taste of the product and its appearance.
How to reheat before use?
If the product has been in the refrigerator for no more than 12 hours, it can be eaten cold. In other cases, repeated heat treatment is required.
The product can be fried in fresh oil. You don’t need to keep it on the fire for a long time, a couple of minutes is enough. If it was cooked in sauce, then it must be brought to a boil.
If the fish was stored in the freezer, it must be placed in the refrigerator before reheating. Microwaves for defrosting fried fish should only be used as a last resort. The fact is that under the influence of microwaves, the fillet becomes “rubbery”.
Consequences of incorrect product content
Improper storage of fried fish leads to bacteria begin to multiply in it, which can cause serious food poisoning.
The main danger is that the product looks and smells like fresh.
In the early stages of spoilage, there are too few bacteria, so it will not be possible to understand that the fish has begun to spoil with the naked eye. However, the amount of toxins is enough to cause gastrointestinal upset with diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal pain.
Conclusion
You can store fried fish in the freezer and refrigerator. The main thing is to properly prepare the product and ensure its tightness., prevent condensation from accumulating and maintain a suitable temperature.
