You decide to host a family dinner, and fish is on the menu. You invite some members of your extended family, and then you realize there may not be enough time on the day of the dinner to get everything prepared and cooked.
You stop for a moment and consider whether you should cook the fish in advance to buy yourself some extra time. But, can you even cook fish ahead of time?
Ideally, fresh fish should be cooked as close to the purchase time as possible. This will yield the best results. However, in situations where time is of the essence, it is possible to prepare the fish ahead of time. Always remember to follow the correct storage methods. If you do, the cooked fish can safely be stored in the refrigerator for up to four days and then reheated again.
Here is a list of the most popular fatty and lean fish you can cook ahead of time, together with timeframes:
| Can you cook fish ahead of time | ||
|---|---|---|
| FATTY FISH | Can you cook ahead of time | Should be consumed within |
| salmon | Yes | 1-2 days |
| tuna | Yes | 1-2 days |
| bluefish | Yes | 1-2 days |
| catfish | Yes | 1-2 days |
| mackerel | Yes | 1-2 days |
| mullet | Yes | 1-2 days |
| LEAN FISH | ||
| cod | Yes | 1-2 days |
| flounder | Yes | 1-2 days |
| haddock | Yes | 1-2 days |
| halibut | Yes | 1-2 days |
| sole | Yes | 1-2 days |
| pollock | Yes | 1-2 days |
| ocean perch | Yes | 1-2 days |
| rockfish | Yes | 1-2 days |
| sea trout | Yes | 1-2 days |
| Use this timeframe if you cook the fish on the day of purchase | ||
Can you cook fish ahead of time
If you consider the fact that freshly cooked fish can safely be stored in the refrigerator for up to two days, then yes, you can absolutely cook fish ahead of time.
On the other hand, if you decide to freeze the fish, then it should last for a few months in the freezer.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises storing cooked fish in the refrigerator by rightly wrapping it in either aluminum foil or cling wrap. The idea is to prevent cross contamination and keep raw and cooked food separate. Before storing the cooked fish, be sure that it has been cooked to the right internal temperature.
The United States Department of Agriculture states that fish should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145 °F (62.8 °C). This ensures that any bacteria is destroyed and the fish is safe for consumption. If safe handling techniques are applied, such as continuously washing hands and surfaces, then it should be perfectly fine to prepare fish ahead of time.
If you are someone that often meal preps food and stores it in the freezer or refrigerator, then you will be happy to know that you can absolutely meal prep fish as well. Just make sure that the fish is the last item you prepare and place in each meal prep container.
How far in advance can I cook fish
1-2 days in advanced
You can cook most fatty and lean fish1-2 days in advance if you cook them on the day of purchase and refrigerate them after cooking.
I use a reverse method to determine how far a specific type of fish can be prepared in advance. I often consult the foodsafety websites to assess how long a specific type of fish can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer.
This will determine the time frame within which the fish can safely be prepared, stored, reheated, and then served.
When serving fish to guests, make sure that none of the guests have any seafood allergies. Furthermore, take into account children, the elderly, or pregnant women before deciding to precook and serve a fish dish as these are usually considered the high risk groups.
Is it safe to cook fish ahead of time
Yes. But, as previously mentioned, this will depend on several factors. The fish will need to be properly cooked to prevent food-borne illnesses from developing. Fish is a tricky meat when it comes to food safety. It is imperative to always use good hygiene and apply the correct food handling method.
Provided that the fish does not sit out for more than two hours after having been cooked and is stored at 40º F (4,4º C) or below, it should be perfectly fine to cook fish in advance.
Thawing cooked frozen fish properly before reheating is another key factor that needs to be considered when deciding on how to store the fish until the time it will be served.
Can you reheat cooked fish
Absolutely. Reheating cooked fish is perfectly safe. Certain types of fish are more lean while other types of fish contain more fat. Consider the method that will be used to reheat the fish and the time. This is important as you may end up overcooking and drying out the fish if too much heat is applied for too long.
In addition to drying out, you may also run the risk of having the fish develop a fishy smell during the reheating process. But, this will largely depend on the type of fish that will be reheated.
How do you reheat cooked fish without drying it out
You can safely reheat fish in the oven. Preheat the oven to 275º F (135º C) Place the fish in a rimmed dish or a flat pan. Leave it in the oven for about 15 minutes and keep an eye on it.
Your best friend in the kitchen is a thermometer. Use it to check that the internal temperature of the fish reaches 125°F to 130°F (51º C-54º C). Remember, the key is slow and gentle.
I personally use foil to cover the fish during this process to prevent it from cooking too much. You could also gently sprinkle the fish with some water before putting it into the oven. This will help the fish to remain moist and not dry out too much.
I would personally advise against using the microwave to reheat fish if you are going to serve it to guests.
Can you fry fish ahead of time
Yes, you can absolutely fry fish ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator or freezer until you are ready to reheat and serve it again. Here’s the trick to ensuring that your fried fish comes out crispy when you reheat it.
Use an air fryer instead of an oven to reheat fried fish. Again, an air fryer cooks food by rapidly circulating hot air inside the compartment. You need to be very careful and constantly keep an eye on the fish to make sure it doesn’t overcook or dry out.
Can you broil fish ahead of time
Yes. You can safely broil fish ahead of time. It is similar to frying it in advance. However, when it comes to broiling fish, it would be best to use an alternative method to reheat it. I would advise placing aluminum foil over the fish and placing it in the oven for about 15 minutes.
Take into consideration the thickness of the fish and how flaky it is. Fish that are very flaky tend to dry out very quickly. I would avoid broiling the fish and rather steam it.
When you are ready to reheat the fish, perhaps consider using the broiler to reheat it. Avoid using foil and simply place the fish under the broiler to reheat for about 15 minutes.
Can you cook breaded fish ahead of time
Yes. The problem with breaded fish, though, is that it may attract moisture during the storing process. You want to avoid the fish turning to mush when reheating it.
Here my best advice would be to use the air fryer. Ultimately, what you want is to recreate the same crispy exterior as when the fish was first baked. The air fryer is ideal for this.
Conclusion
Almost all popular fish can be cooked ahead of time. Consider preparing them right after you buy them and store them max 2 days in the refrigerator. When reheating, the best choice is an air fryer.
