How to tell if Cooked Fish is Bad

You can tell that a cooked fish is bad through its rotten smell, mushy texture, and grey-like color instead of the normal white color.

I once ate a fish sandwich right before a night shift at the ER and regretted it within an hour. I later realized the fish used for the sandwich was from a week before. Yeah, not so healthy. It was like a slow-acting toxin that didn’t make you feel sick until several hours later. Trust me, and no one would want that.

If you are reading this, you have had a similar experience, or you have a serious suspicion about your cooked fish and can’t tell if your cooked fish has gone bad. Either way, you have come to the right place because I will be telling you sure signs to look for to tell if your cooked fish is bad.

How to tell if Cooked Fish is bad

• Texture

If your fish is starting to look a bit mushy, it might be time to give it the boot. Fresh fish should be firm and spring back when pressed gently with your finger. However, If the flesh doesn’t bounce back after being pressed, it’s probably not fresh anymore and needs to be thrown out.

If there are any dark spots on your cooked fish, those are also signs of spoilage. If they’re small, just cut them off before serving; but if they’re large sections of the meat itself, throw the whole thing in the trash because there’s no saving it.

• Smell

When cooked fish goes bad, it develops an unpleasant odor. This could be due to improper refrigeration or storage conditions. It would help if you never ate any dish that smells bad or has an off smell because it can cause food poisoning and other medical problems like diarrhea and vomiting.

• Color

Cooked fish should be bright white, and the flesh should be firm and springy. If the color is yellowish or grayish, this could be a sign that the fish was not fresh. The flesh may also be mushy if it has been overcooked.

I am sure you can now tell a badly cooked fish from a good one. Now let’s talk about why it is so bad to eat spoilt fish.

What happens when you eat spoilt fish?

It depends on the type of fish and how it was prepared. Fish is naturally rich in iodine, which helps regulate metabolism and brain development. But iodine can also cause thyroid problems if you consume too much.

Here’s what happens when you eat spoiled fish:

• Nausea
• Vomiting and diarrhea
• Headaches
• Dry mouth
• Blurred vision

More severe symptoms may include

• Fever
• Chills
• Drooping eyelid
• Slurred speech
• Muscle aches
• Abdominal pain.

These symptoms usually last for about a week and may require medical treatment.

Next, we will be looking at how to store your cooked fish to prevent them from going bad.

How to store cooked fish.

You’ve cooked your fish and are now wondering how to store it. You don’t want to let all that deliciousness go to waste! Here are some simple tips for storing cooked fish.

1) Freeze it

If you have cooked fish leftovers, you can freeze them. Use freezer bags or containers with enough room to allow airflow. This will prevent the food from spoiling and make it last longer in the freezer.

2) Refrigerate it

If you don’t plan on eating your cooked fish right away, you can place it in the refrigerator. However, if you have cooked fish that needs refrigeration but won’t be eaten until tomorrow, place it in a shallow container at room temperature so that the flesh doesn’t get too cold before serving.

3) Use an airtight container

Cooked fish can stay fresh for three days if stored properly. To keep your cooked fish from drying out or developing an unpleasant odor, store it in an airtight container with all the air squeezed out of it (such as a Tupperware container). This will help prevent moisture loss and keep any bacteria at bay. If possible, put the cooked fish on top of a bed of ice so the cold temperature will help keep it fresh longer.

Don’t leave just yet! In the rest of the article, we will discuss other essentials related to this topic, including what you can do with your cooked fish that has gone bad. Yes, you don’t have to throw that fish out.

Is it OK to eat leftover fish?

The short answer here is yes, and you can keep the leftovers and eat them when you want. Fish leftovers can be frozen for two months and kept in the fridge for three to four days.

After supper, you don’t have to throw away any remaining fish. The taste of meals containing garlic or onions in the shellfish may improve with additional heating, and seafood may be safely reheated up to four days after cooking. However, reheated seafood may lose moisture or develop a fishy odor.

What can you do with spoiled fish

1. Make fish stock

Fish stock is the liquid extracted from cooked fish bones. It’s an essential ingredient in many soups, sauces, and stews. You can make your fish stock by simmering the bones of any white-fleshed fish (e.g., cod, haddock, and halibut) in water until they’re soft enough to break apart with a fork easily

2. Use it as fertilizer

If you have a garden or grow plants indoors on your windowsill, spoiled fish may be just what you need to give them a boost! Fish emulsion is a powerful plant food made from composted fish waste that contains many nutrients beneficial to plants. If your plants lack the color or aren’t growing well, give them a dose of fish emulsion by mixing 1 part emulsion with 5 parts water (or more if needed) and watering your plants with it.

3. Fish cake

Make fish cakes with breadcrumbs and eggs (or mashed potatoes). Mix bread crumbs, eggs or mashed potatoes, grated onion, and whatever spices you like (cayenne pepper works well!) into batter-like consistency, then form into patties or cakes and fry in oil until golden brown on both sides. Serve with tartar sauce or parsley sauce.

FAQ

How long can you store cooked fish?

The refrigerator can safely keep cooked fish for three to four days. However, refrigeration does not stop bacterial growth and only slows it down. Because of this, it’s crucial to consume the food before it degrades or becomes hazardous.

Which last longer, boiled or fried fish?

How you prepare the fish will vary on the type. Generally speaking, fried fish keeps better than boiled fish. This is so that boiling doesn’t lose moisture while frying keeps it in. While boiled fish must be consumed within four days, fried fish may be kept in the refrigerator for approximately a week.

Can you safely reheat fish?

Since freshness is a crucial aspect of a great fish, reheating fish is often not a good option. Anyone who often cooks fish knows the danger of overcooking it while reheating, which will spoil a nice piece of fish. Seafood might become dry or develop a fishy scent when heated repeatedly.