How long do leftovers last in the fridge?
Cooked leftovers keep 3 to 4 days in the fridge, per USDA FoodKeeper. In the freezer, leftovers with meat, fish, poultry or egg keep 2 to 3 months, and leftovers without them keep 1 to 2 months.
Updated
| Kind | Fridge | Freezer |
|---|---|---|
| With meat, fish, poultry or egg | 3 to 4 days | 2 to 3 months |
| Without meat, fish, poultry or egg | 3 to 4 days | 1 to 2 months |
| Pizza | 3 to 4 days | 1 to 2 months |
Can you freeze leftovers?
Yes. In the freezer, per USDA FoodKeeper: with meat, fish, poultry or egg, 2 to 3 months; without meat, fish, poultry or egg, 1 to 2 months; pizza, 1 to 2 months. Freezer times are for best quality: food kept at 0°F stays safe longer, but it dries out and loses flavor. Freeze them in meal-size portions in airtight containers or freezer bags, and label each with the date.
How to store leftovers
Get leftovers into the fridge within 2 hours of cooking, or 1 hour on a day above 90°F. Divide big batches into shallow containers so they cool fast, and cut roasts into smaller pieces. Cover them or seal them in containers so they keep their moisture and do not pick up smells.
Write the date on the lid. The days count from when the food was cooked.
How long can leftovers 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.
Can you eat leftovers after 5 days?
USDA's time for most cooked leftovers is 3 to 4 days in the fridge. After that, throw them out, even if they look and smell fine.
How to tell if leftovers have 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.
How to reheat leftovers
Heat leftovers until the middle reaches 165°F on a food thermometer, and bring soups, sauces and gravy to a rolling boil. Cover the food while it heats so it stays moist and heats all the way through. In a microwave, stir or turn it halfway. You can reheat frozen leftovers without thawing them first. It takes longer.
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.