How long does cooked fish last?
Quick answer
Cooked fish keeps 3-4 days in the fridge and 1-2 months in the freezer.
Fridge
From purchase
3-4days
Freezer
Can be frozen: yes
1-2months
Pantry
No known time
-
Mine has been in the fridge for
Refreeze after thawing in the fridge?
- United States
- Yes
- United Kingdom
- Only after cooking
How long does cooked fish last in the fridge?
- All3-4 daysFrom purchase
Your fridge should be set between 0 and 5°C.
Refrigerators should be set to maintain a temperature of 40 °F or below.
How long does cooked fish last in the freezer?
- All1-2 months
Freezer times are for quality; frozen food stays safe.
Your freezer should be around -18°C
A freezer acts as a pause button - food in a freezer won’t go bad and most bacteria cannot grow in it.
Food stored constantly at 0 °F will always be safe. Only the quality suffers with lengthy freezer storage.
Can you freeze cooked fish?
Yes.
How to defrost cooked fish safely
- In the fridge
- In cold water, cook it straight after defrosting
- In the microwave, cook it straight after defrosting
- Cook it from frozen
You should defrost your food in the fridge so that it doesn’t get too warm
It’s also important to use food within 24 hours after it’s been fully defrosted
There are three safe ways to thaw food: in the refrigerator, in cold water, or in the microwave.
Check the water frequently to be sure it stays cold. Change the water every 30 minutes. After thawing, cook immediately.
It is safe to cook foods from the frozen state. The cooking will take approximately 50% longer than the recommended time for fully thawed or fresh meat and poultry.
Can you refreeze cooked fish?
- In the United KingdomOnly after cooking
- In the United StatesYes
You can freeze food again once cooked, but you’ll only be able to reheat it once after that
Food thawed in the refrigerator can be refrozen without cooking, although there may be some loss of quality.
Foods thawed by the cold water method should be cooked before refreezing.
After cooking raw foods which were previously frozen, it is safe to freeze the cooked foods.
Can cooked fish be kept out of the fridge?
Official sources give no room-temperature (cupboard) storage time for cooked fish.
What the official sources say
“Home-Cooked or Restaurant Catfish Leftovers Brought Immediately Home 3 to 4 days 2 to 3 months N/A”
“Cooked fish 3-4 days 4-6 months”
Frequently asked questions
How long does cooked fish last in the fridge?
All: 3-4 days.
How long does cooked fish last in the freezer?
All: 1-2 months. Freezer times are for quality; frozen food stays safe.
Can you freeze cooked fish?
Yes.
Can you refreeze cooked fish?
In the United Kingdom: Only after cooking; In the United States: Yes.
Can cooked fish be kept out of the fridge?
Official sources give no room-temperature (cupboard) storage time for cooked fish.
Good to know
Other figures given by the sources for close variants:
- Home-Cooked or Restaurant Catfish Leftovers Brought Immediately Home Fridge 3-4 days Freezer 2-3 months
Sources
We always show the most cautious time among official sources. Last checked: 1 October 2026.