Can You Freeze Sushi?

Sushi is one of the most popular foods in America. It’s also considered to be one of the easiest foods to prepare at home. If you made yourself at home or bought them from the store, you may wonder if you can freeze leftovers. So, can you freeze sushi?

Yes, you can freeze sushi. It can be frozen cooked or uncooked. The sushi should be kept in an airtight container or freezer bag to prevent air and moisture from entering. While you might think freezing sushi would ruin its taste, texture, and overall quality, it actually can extend the life of sushi rolls for up to 9 months after freezing!

Contents show

Does Sushi Freeze Well?

The answer to this question can vary depending on what type of sushi you are talking about. If you are talking about traditional sushi, it does not freeze well because this type of sushi is typically made with raw fish and other fresh ingredients. If you are talking about frozen prepared sushi, then yes, it should be safe. Nigiri sushi is the most common type of sushi in America and it freezes very well. The key difference between the two types of sushi is that one is typically eaten fresh and the other has been pre-prepared for freezing.

How To Freeze Sushi

A common way to enjoy sushi at home is to freeze it. There are a few different ways that you can freeze sushi, and the method that you choose will depend on which type of sushi you intend on freezing. There are two main types of sushi: cooked and uncooked. Cooked sushi has been cooked in some way, so it does not need to be frozen. Uncooked sushi is raw fish, so it needs to be frozen for any period of time longer than a few hours.

Freezing Uncooked Sushi:

The following steps will help you successfully freeze uncooked sushi:

Thoroughly wash the uncooked sushi to remove all the excess water.
Wrap each piece of sushi in clingfilm or plastic wrap, making sure that all surfaces are covered, and use pins or clips to fasten the wrapping tightly.
Put the wrapped sushi in a freezer bag, seal it and place it in the freezer for 12-24 hours before consuming it again.
When you’re ready to eat your frozen sushi, remove one piece at a time from its wrapper and then defrost it by soaking it in iced water for about 10 minutes.
If you need to thaw more than one piece at once, wrap them together with cling film or plastic wrap.

Freezing Cooked Sushi

It is important to freeze cooked sushi as quickly as possible because it will lose its freshness and start to deteriorate.

Put the sushi on a tray and place it in the freezer for 10 minutes.
Remove it from the freezer, one at a time, and then use a spatula to tightly squeeze as much air as possible out of each piece of sushi.
Wrap each piece of sushi with cling film and then put them back into the freezer.

How Long Can You Freeze Sushi?

You can freeze sushi for up to 9 months, whether it’s cooked or uncooked. Although high-quality sushi is perishable and should be eaten within a few hours of making it, freezing will degrade the quality of the sushi. However, there are some important things to keep in mind when freezing sushi so that you can enjoy it at its best.

Cook frozen rice before using it in your recipe; this will help break down the starch, which will make the rice stickier (the starch dries out during freezing).
If you are using frozen raw fish or shellfish in your dish with other cooked ingredients like vegetables or tofu, cook them along with the frozen ingredients before adding them together.

How Do You Defrost Sushi?

To thaw frozen sushi, there are a few different ways that have been found to be effective. The first way is to put the container in cold water for about 10-20 minutes or until frozen pieces melt enough to become soft and chewable. The second way is by using a microwave oven on defrost setting for about 3-4 minutes or until all pieces are soft enough to eat. If you don’t need sushi to eat right away, you can defrost them in the fridge. The steps to defrosting sushi are simple.

Firstly, keep the sushi in a foil-lined dish and place it in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight.
Then put the sushi on a plate and thaw it under cool running water for a couple of minutes.
Wash away any excess moisture from the surface with a dry paper towel and then serve immediately.

Whichever method you use to thaw the sushi, once it is thawed, it should be consumed as soon as possible.

Can You Refreeze Sushi?

It is not advisable to refreeze the sushi. The freezing process will damage the cell walls and lower the amount of moisture in the food. It will also create a film on top of the food which may be toxic if consumed. In addition, refreezing sushi will cause them to deteriorate in flavor and texture.