Fridge storage
How long do fish fillets last in the fridge?
About 1 day for raw fish fillets. USDA gives 1 to 2 days; Well Stockd plans on the short end.
Times are for a fridge at 40°F (4°C) or below. They’re a guide, not a safety guarantee.
How we checked this: each storage time here is checked against the source named beside it, USDA FoodKeeper, USDA FSIS or another, before the page goes live. A time marked “Our estimate” is Well Stockd’s own, since FoodKeeper and FSIS give none. Editorial policy
How long they keep
- Raw, in the fridge
- 1 to 2 days refrigerated for any fresh fillet Source: USDA FoodKeeper: Lean fish (opens in a new tab)
- Cooked
- 3 to 4 days refrigerated Source: USDA FoodKeeper: Leftovers with meat, fish, poultry or egg (opens in a new tab)
- Freezer
- About 6 months (180 days) at best quality. Frozen food stays safe indefinitely at 0°F; the time is about texture and flavor. Our estimate: FoodKeeper and FSIS give no time for this.Compare freezer times for other foods on the printable freezer storage chart.
- How to store them
- Coldest part of the fridge, on ice, in the wrap it came in. Lean fish freezes 6 to 8 months at best quality; fatty fish like salmon and mackerel 2 to 3 months.
How to tell if fish fillets have gone bad
Dates are estimates; these are the checks that actually decide it. Don’t taste food to check whether it has gone bad.
Throw them out at once if you see:
- Fishy or ammonia smell
- Slimy or sticky surface
Warning signs (throw them out if you notice more than one):
- Dull, graying or yellowing flesh
- Flesh that stays indented when pressed
Sources and limits
That’s not long. If you won’t use it in time, freeze it, or check FoodKeeper’s freezing advice for this food.
Well Stockd doesn’t know when this food was harvested, packed, bought, opened or cooked. Write down the date you opened, cooked or refrigerated it, follow the package directions, keep your fridge at 40°F or below, and check the official listing when food safety is in question.
USDA FSIS gives fresh fish 1 to 2 days, and Well Stockd plans on the short end.
Each time in the table names its source beside it. A time marked “Our estimate” is Well Stockd’s own, because FoodKeeper and FSIS give none for that food in that state, and where our time differs from FoodKeeper’s, the row shows FoodKeeper’s figure too. The number at the top is Well Stockd’s own estimate. It’s a guide, not a safety guarantee: FoodKeeper says storage times are guidelines, and quality varies with how food is grown, handled, shipped and stored. This page was last updated .