How Long Does Ceviche Last? Does Ceviche Go Bad?

South American cuisine is bright, with many flavor options.

When I travel to Peru last summer, I had the privilege of enjoying some of their favorite foods, including Ceviche, seviche, or maybe cebiche depending on who you ask.

It is a meal that involves raw fish, and before you bolt, let me inform you it is completely fine- most of the time, but it is also known to go horribly wrong.

Not very reassuring I know. You are right to be concerned about bad ceviche.

This is because, being mainly raw fish, it can go bad quicker than say beef or lamb, and you may not be aware that it is spoilt by simply looking at it.

Eating bad ceviche can lead to food poisoning.

The first time I had ceviche I was very intrigued by my host being very particular about the time, to make sure we got ceviche fresh, which got me asking, how long does ceviche last?

Shelf Life of Fresh Ceviche

Save for Later!

Yes, ceviche goes bad, and it does so within 2 hours when left in the open after preparation.

The following however, its shelf life under different conditions - and for related storage lifespans, see Himalayan salt block lifespan guide:

• Best within the first 2 hours in the pantry.
• Best before 48 hours in the fridge.
• You can freeze ceviche for up to 2 to 3 months.

One of the reasons you do not want to eat ceviche that is not freshly made is because the acid from the lime or lemon continues to break the fish down long after preparation, making it lose its texture and becoming mushy, or in the case of shrimp, tough and dry, unappetizing to look at and taste in either case.

Ceviche is best consumed within 30 minutes of preparation for the best freshness and should be eaten within two hours.

If, for whatever reason, you need to keep ceviche, put it in the fridge for a maximum of 2 days.

The first thing you need to do is to drain off as much lime or lemon juice as possible and separate the solids, as vegetables such as avocado tend to change color to an ugly brown, especially when placed in the fridge.

Use an airtight container to store it in the fridge.

There is no point in freezing ceviche, although you can.

The fish is likely to be completely mushy, or worse still, spoilt by the time you get it on your plate because, after removing it from the freezer, you will still need to slow-thaw it in the fridge.

If you must freeze your ceviche, then remove all the acidic marinade and separate the solids.

Pack the fish in plastic bags and remove all the air.

Add some lime or lemon juice when serving again.

How to Tell if Ceviche is Bad?

Save for Later!

There are several ways to tell if your Ceviche has gone bad.

The following are some of the most important signs to look out for and what causes it:

Shelf life rules differ by food type - see the sandwich shelf life guide for how long sandwiches last. Also note how oils age: avocado oil shelf life details explains storage and spoilage signs.

• Bad smell: Caused by overgrown bacteria and fish enzymes convert chemicals that had helped the fish survive in salty water into a foul-smelling gas called trimethylamine (TMA), or what we call "fishy smell. If you notice this odour, discard the fish right away.
• Grey color: Caused by rotting. Fresh fish, especially the kind of fish used for ceviche, looks white with a thin clear liquid film. However, the color of the fish can be affected by several factors, such as the fish's diet, environment, or even packaging processes. Therefore, color should not be the only test but be used together with other tests such as touch.
• Sticky, slimy-feeling fish that is not bouncy to touch: Caused loss of texture as the flesh is eaten up by microorganisms. Fresh fish should spring back when touched. If the fish in your ceviche is not, then discard it because it is no longer fresh.
• Presence of mold: Mold is a microscopic organism that is usually not visible to the naked eye until there is an overgrowth. If your ceviche has it, it means it is poisonous and dangerous to eat.