How to Store Ceviche (2024)

Whenever raw fish is involved, storage can be tricky.

By

Melanie Fincher

How to Store Ceviche (1)

Melanie Fincher is a Birmingham, Alabama–based food writer who covers everything from cooking techniques to gadget reviews. She has nearly 7 years experience writing news and lifestyle content.

Published on January 22, 2021

As with any raw fish dish, ceviche requires some extra considerations when it comes to storage. This favorite seafood dish is cooked by the acidic juices it is marinated in, in a process otherwise known as denaturing. But does this mean it remains safe to eat hours, or even days later? Here's how to store ceviche the safe way.

What Is Ceviche?

Ceviche is a seafood dish made with a mixture of citrus juices, fresh fruits and/or vegetables, and raw fish — which is what makes it so precarious to store. This method of preparing fish is common in coastal South American cuisine.

The cool thing about ceviche is it requires no heat to cook — it is "cooked" by the acid in the citrus juices through a process known as chemical denaturing. This is what causes the fish to go from a pinkish, translucent color to an opaque white, while still retaining its moisture.

Is Ceviche Safe to Eat?

Here's the kicker: Although the process of chemical denaturing cures the meat, it doesn't necessarily kill any parasites or bacteria. This is why it's important to only purchase high-quality seafood when making ceviche — either pre-frozen fish that was preserved before being exposed to any contaminants or the freshest seafood available to you.

How Long Does Ceviche Last at Room Temperature

Typically, it will take about 30 minutes to an hour for the marinade to cook the fish. However, it will continue "cooking" as it sits in the marinade. While it might still be safe to eat, after sitting in the marinade for about two hours, the fish will begin to change in texture, and not in a good way. You'll want to serve ceviche as soon as it's finished marinating — we don't recommend keeping it out at room temperature for more than two hours.

How to Store Ceviche (2)

How to Store Ceviche

So by now you can probably infer that ceviche is best served immediately. But if you do find yourself with leftover ceviche, pour off as much of the marinade as possible and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for best results. To freshen the flavor, you can squeeze a little more citrus juice over it the next day.

How Long Does Ceviche Last in the Refrigerator

Because the fish has been marinated in an acidic mixture, ceviche should be safe to eat for about two days when stored in the fridge. However, the texture will continue to change as the acid in the citrus juice breaks down the protein, which is why we don't recommend trying to make leftovers out of ceviche.

How to Tell If Ceviche Is Bad

You'll notice the longer you keep ceviche, the mushier it becomes. This is because the citric acid will continue breaking down the proteins in the fish. But as with all raw fish, when it has gone bad, you'll know by the smell.

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How to Store Ceviche (2024)

FAQs

How to Store Ceviche? ›

Because the fish has been marinated in an acidic mixture, ceviche should be safe to eat for about two days when stored in the fridge. However, the texture will continue to change as the acid in the citrus juice breaks down the protein, which is why we don't recommend trying to make leftovers out of ceviche.

How long is ceviche good in the fridge? ›

Proper Storage

Hygiene in the surroundings and while serving can also help in keeping the flavor and freshness for a long time. If stored properly, the ceviche will last for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.

How do you store fresh ceviche? ›

How To Store Ceviche. Refrigerate ceviche leftovers immediately in a container with a tightly fitting lid for 1 to 2 days, at most. Discard if it begins to smell "fishy" or develops any other odd odors.

Can I eat ceviche after 5 days? ›

When does Ceviche expire? Ceviche is a type of seafood dish that's already been 'cooked' in citrus juices. In your fridge, it's best to eat it within 24 hours. If you go past 2 or 3 days, you've gone too far and it's most likely spoiled.

Does ceviche have to sit overnight? ›

As the fish sits in the marinade, the acid from the citrus juice will begin to penetrate the flesh with flavor and break down the proteins, giving the finished ceviche a texture similar to seafood cooked using heat. How long you want to leave the fish in the marinade is completely up to you.

Can I eat 2 day old ceviche? ›

Because the fish has been marinated in an acidic mixture, ceviche should be safe to eat for about two days when stored in the fridge. However, the texture will continue to change as the acid in the citrus juice breaks down the protein, which is why we don't recommend trying to make leftovers out of ceviche.

Can I eat 3 day old ceviche? ›

As a general rule, it is recommended to consume ceviche within 1-2 days of preparation, and always store it in the refrigerator. If you have any doubts about the freshness or safety of your ceviche, it is best to discard it to avoid the risk of food poisoning.

Can you store leftover ceviche? ›

Lastly, with ceviche, once your seafood has reached your desired state of doneness, you need to serve it right away. Holding it for later, even in the refrigerator, won't work, as those acids will continue doing their thing for however long you leave them.

How long should ceviche sit before eating? ›

Traditionally, ceviche is fully “cooked” in the citrus, but not everyone is comfortable with the idea of eating fish or seafood in this way. Here, I briefly poach the shrimp, then let it rest in the fridge for about 30 minutes in the fridge to fully absorb the bright citrus marinade.

Do you have to eat ceviche right away? ›

You can make this up to three days before serving or eating. The flavor only gets better every day. Please refrigerate after making.

What to do with day old ceviche? ›

If it is prepared at home and some is leftover, you don't have to worry because you can still eat it the next day. You just need to fry it since raw and marinated fish would lose its freshness and its texture would not be so rich.

Why is my ceviche still grey? ›

Unlike tuna or salmon, shrimp should be poached as part of the ceviche making process. Otherwise, the crustacean takes on a grey color and never quite reaches an ideal texture.

How long does raw shrimp ceviche last in the fridge? ›

Keeps for 2 days refrigerated.

Is bacteria killed in ceviche? ›

Experimental results from multiple studies reveal that although lime juice provides an acidified environment for seafood in ceviche dishes, it is inadequate to kill or inactivate all forms of pathogens and parasites that may be present in fish and molluscan shellfish used in ceviche.

How long to let ceviche sit in lime juice? ›

The fish will begin to cook immediately, however, because citrus is acidic it is not being being cooked by heat but the citrus juice from the lime. This process will take anywhere from 15-20 minutes. You can leave in the lime juice longer as it will cook the fish more thoroughly. Overcooking isn't an issue.

Can I prep ceviche the night before? ›

To save time on the day you plan to serve this ceviche, cook the shrimp the night before and refrigerate in an airtight container. You can make the ceviche up to 4 hours in advance, completing steps 1 through 3, then adding the cilantro, cucumber, and avocado in step 4 just before serving.

Can I make ceviche day before? ›

Yes! That being said, Ceviche is best made fresh on the day of serving- and is best up to 4 hours before serving- but I do save the leftovers for the next day. The fish will continue to cook in the lime juice, so the texture will change but the flavors are still great.

How long does ceviche need to stay in lime juice? ›

The fish will begin to cook immediately, however, because citrus is acidic it is not being being cooked by heat but the citrus juice from the lime. This process will take anywhere from 15-20 minutes. You can leave in the lime juice longer as it will cook the fish more thoroughly. Overcooking isn't an issue.

Do you need to freeze fish for ceviche? ›

Use frozen fish.

It might be tempting to get fresh fish to make your ceviche, but frozen actually comes with less risks. And for ceviche, higher quality is always better. Look for a wild caught and flash frozen white fish, like cod or halibut. You want the texture to be firm and the flavor subtle.

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