How long does coleslaw last in the fridge?
Homemade coleslaw keeps 3 to 5 days in the fridge, per USDA FoodKeeper.
Updated
| Food | Fridge | Freezer |
|---|---|---|
| Coleslaw, homemade | 3 to 5 days | No USDA time |
Can you freeze coleslaw?
USDA FoodKeeper gives no freezer time for coleslaw. Creamy coleslaw does not freeze well: the dressing separates and the cabbage goes limp.
How to store coleslaw
Cabbage softens as it sits in dressing. For crunch, keep the dressing apart and mix it in shortly before you serve it.
How long can coleslaw sit out?
No more than 2 hours at room temperature, or 1 hour when it is above 90°F, such as at a summer picnic. After that, USDA says to throw it out.
How to tell if coleslaw has gone bad
Go by the days, not by the smell. The germs that cause food poisoning usually do not change how food looks, smells or tastes, so food past its time can seem fine and still make you sick. Mold, a sour smell or a slimy feel mean it has spoiled, but food without them is not safe just because it seems fine. Never taste food to check it. When in doubt, throw it out.
Times from USDA FoodKeeper, the storage data from USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service: data version 128, last changed September 6, 2018, still the current version. Public domain. The handling rules are from USDA's Leftovers and Food Safety.