Here's How Long Spam Musubi Can Sit Out, And How To Store The Leftovers - Tasting Table

"Similar to onigiri, Hawaiian Spam musubi is made by assembling marinated and pan-fried slices of Spam on a rectangular bed of rice. Each parcel is then wrapped in a sheet of nori seaweed. Once you prepare this snack, however, you can't leave it sitting out for too long. Spam musubi left at room temperature must be consumed within four hours, after which it's prone to contamination from harmful bacteria and must be thrown away."

"That being said, there is a way to store Spam musubi for longer than just a few hours. The trick is to store it at a temperature that's either below 45 degrees Fahrenheit or above 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Anything in between means the snack may become infested with bacteria and spoil after that four-hour window, so keep that in mind when leaving this dish at room temperature."

"Ideally, you should eat Spam musubi fresh and within just a few hours of preparation, but sometimes you just can't finish it all and have leftovers that need to be stored. In such an event, your fridge is the best bet. Just cover your Spam musubi in cling wrap or pop it in a tightly sealed container and stick it in the refrigerator. It should last for up to three days."

Spam musubi entered Hawaiian cuisine during World War II as part of military rations and became a popular staple. The snack consists of marinated, pan-fried Spam slices placed on a rectangular bed of rice and wrapped with nori seaweed. At room temperature, Spam musubi must be eaten within four hours to avoid bacterial contamination. Safe storage requires temperatures below 45°F or above 140°F to prevent bacterial growth. Refrigeration in cling wrap or a sealed container preserves leftovers for up to three days. Refrigeration can dry and harden the rice, and microwaving can restore warmth but will soften the nori.

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