TempoLife › Features › How long food keeps: fridge, freezer and pantry › cooked-fish
Cooked fish shelf life
Cooked fish keeps 3-4 days in the fridge, 4-6 months in the freezer. Spoilage signs and the safe-handling notes, from the USDA Cold Food Storage Chart.
Storage at a glance
| Where | How long |
|---|---|
| Fridge (0-4 °C) | 3-4 days |
| Freezer (-18 °C) | 4-6 months |
Signs it has gone off
Sour or rancid smell, slimy surface.
Safe handling
Refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking; eat reheated fish hot.
Storage times are guidance, not a guarantee. If it looks or smells wrong, do not taste it to check.
Source: USDA Cold Food Storage Chart / FDA-USDA FoodKeeper · checked 2026-09-03
Frequently asked questions
How long does cooked fish last in the fridge?
3-4 days — stored sealed, at 4 C or below.
Can you freeze cooked fish?
Yes — about 4-6 months for quality. Frozen at a constant -18 C it stays safe longer; the time is about taste and texture.
How do you know when cooked fish has gone off?
Sour or rancid smell, slimy surface. Trust the signs over any date.
Raw fatty fish (salmon, mackerel)
Fridge: 1-2 days · freezer: 2-3 months
Raw lean fish (cod, haddock)
Fridge: 1-2 days · freezer: 6-8 months
Know the shelf life, plan the week
TempoLife puts the food plan next to your goals, so what you bought gets eaten, not binned.