Sushi is a traditional Japanese food, usually consisting of vinegared rice and an accompanying ingredient such as seafood or vegetables. There are a huge variety and forms of sushi, with each of Japan’s region specializing in a different cooking style. Furthermore, this famous Japanese dish is traditionally served with the following garnishes, wasabi, pickled ginger, and soy sauce.
Sushi is a worldwide famous food and the three main types of sushi consumed worldwide are nigiri, maki, and sashimi with some noticeable differences between them. In a few words, nigiri is a type of sushi made of pressed rice and a slice of raw fish on top; maki is a type of sushi wrapped in seaweed; whereas sashimi consists only of a slice of raw fish.
As sushi has become very popular, an ordinary problem that is emerging is what to do with the remaining pieces of sushi that are left after everyone had eaten. Keep on reading to find out after how long sushi remains good to eat and how to eat leftover sushi.
How Long is Sushi Good For?
Sushi has become popular in recent years as it is an excellent option for any time of the day, however, a common worry is regarding what to do with the leftover sushi, especially because it generally contains ingredients that rapidly change their condition over time such as raw fish and avocado.
So here is the answer, generally leftover sushi can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. It is worth mentioning that the texture and taste of ingredients might change, for this reason, it is always recommended to eat sushi right after you buy or make it. Nonetheless, the sushi can still be good for up to 1 day in the refrigerator.
Also, sometimes, even if stored in the refrigerator temperature the sushi might go bad. For this reason, on top of checking the temperature is important to check the sushi’s smell and color. If it smells acrid and/or the color looks dull, throw it away, it is simply not worth taking the risk.
How to Store Leftover Sushi
Keeping leftover sushi in the refrigerator is an extremely important part. If it is not stored at the proper temperature it can potentially grow bacteria; so, make sure that your refrigerator temperature is around 4°C or 40°F.
As for the container, the best place to store it is in an airtight container. This can help to avoid potential bacteria growth. Otherwise, the box from the restaurant is also an option; as long as you keep the sushi there for up to 24 hours in the refrigerator, there will not be any problem.
What to Do with Leftover Sushi
If you do not want to eat leftover sushi as is, know that there are some ways to use them as part of a recipe. Here is a delicious idea for you to try out:
- Separate the leftover fish from the rice. In a frying pan add two tablespoons of olive oil, fry the fish at high temperature for about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Add 4 tablespoons of soy sauce and 1 teaspoon of sugar. Cook at low temperature for about 5 minutes.
- Combine the leftover rice and add the cooked fish on top. You can also add some leaves of fresh mint and/or sesame seed for a special touch. Voila, the food is ready!
Other plate options to make with leftover sushi include miso soup, bean curd pouches, fried rice, sushi salad, and scattered sushi.
How to Soften Refrigerated Sushi
Now if you are a real sushi lover and prefer to eat the sushi as it is, bear in mind that there are some tips you can follow to soften your leftover sushi in case the rice got stiff, which is completely normal after one night.
The key to avoiding that is to cover the sushi in plastic wrap and place it in an airtight container; then, put it in the refrigerator. This will prevent the rice from drying and becoming stale.
How to Heat Sushi
By now I believe that many of you are wondering, what about heating sushi? Can sushi be heated? The answer is yes, and you will just need a microwave for that. The trick is very simple: you will just need to microwave the sushi for about 30 seconds at 500 watts power. Also, please notice that this trick will cook the sushi; however, it will guarantee to bring back the taste of recently bought food.
If you have bought cooked sushi, no worries; sushi can also be reheated in the microwave without any problem. Now, if you only want to heat sushi rice the trick is to add 1 tablespoon of water over the rice in a bowl. Then, cover it with storage bags proper for use in the microwave.
Conclusion
Sushi is a famous food worldwide. Originated in Japan, sushi has become even more popular in recent years due to the fact that is delicious and can be eaten any time of the day. If that was not enough, sushi has numerous health benefits; it is filled with proteins, vitamins, and omega-3.
Needless to say, the best way to eat sushi is consuming it right after you bought or made, as many of its ingredients might change their quality. Nonetheless, if you have leftover sushi, it does not mean that you will throw it all away.
There are quite a few ways in terms of how to eat leftover sushi. You can either eat as it is or as part of many recipes such as soups, or fried rice. The most important thing to remember is to correct store the sushi; it contains raw sushi so the recommendation is to store it in a refrigerator with a temperature around 4°C or 40°F. Preferably, store it in an airtight container to avoid bacteria grow and taste or odors from other foods.
