ShelfLife
How long do leftovers last in the fridge?
Most cooked leftovers keep 3 to 4 days in the fridge, with or without meat, and pizza too. In the freezer they keep their quality for 1 to 3 months. Refrigerate them within 2 hours of cooking.
| Food | Fridge | Freezer |
|---|---|---|
| Leftovers with meat, fish, poultry or eggs | 3–4 days | 2–3 months |
| Leftovers without meat (vegetables, potatoes) | 3–4 days | 1–2 months |
| Leftover pizza | 3–4 days | 1–2 months |
Fridge at 4 °C (40 °F) or colder, freezer at −18 °C (0 °F). Freezer times are for best quality: food kept frozen stays safe, but slowly loses taste and texture. These times are USDA guidance, not a guarantee. When in doubt, throw it out.
How to tell if leftovers have gone bad
- Any mold, a sour smell or a slimy texture: throw it out.
- More than 4 days in the fridge, even if it looks and smells fine. The bacteria that cause food poisoning usually don't change how food looks or smells.
- Food left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours, or 1 hour above 32 °C (90 °F).
- If you can't remember when you cooked it, don't take the chance.
How to store leftovers
- Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours of cooking. You don't need to wait for them to cool: modern fridges handle warm food.
- Split large amounts into shallow containers so they cool quickly in the middle, and cut big roasts into smaller pieces.
- Cover them, or use containers with lids, to keep them moist and stop them picking up other smells.
- Write the date on the container, or note it in your phone.
- Reheat leftovers to 74 °C (165 °F), until steaming hot all the way through. Bring sauces, soups and gravies to a boil.
Can you freeze leftovers?
Yes. Freeze leftovers you won't eat within 3 to 4 days, the sooner the better. They keep their quality for about 2 to 3 months with meat, and 1 to 2 months for meat-free dishes and pizza. Use airtight containers or freezer bags, label them with the date, and thaw them in the fridge, in the microwave, or reheat them straight from frozen.
Questions
Can you eat leftovers after 5 days?
The USDA's guidance is 3 to 4 days in the fridge. After that the risk of food poisoning rises, even if the food looks and smells normal, so it's safer to throw it out, or to freeze leftovers earlier next time.
Should leftovers cool before going in the fridge?
No. Put them in the fridge within 2 hours, in shallow containers. Letting food cool on the counter for hours gives bacteria time to grow.
How many times can you reheat leftovers?
The USDA says reheating more than once is safe if the food reaches 74 °C (165 °F) each time, but quality drops with every round. UK guidance is to reheat only once, and only once for rice. Reheat just the portion you'll eat.
Add leftovers to ShelfLife when you put them away, and get a reminder before day 4.
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Storage times: USDA FoodKeeper (Food Safety and Inspection Service), public domain. Text by ShelfLife.