Do n’t labour into that few - days - one-time pizza just yet — contain this template to hive away leftover and how long they ’ll last in the fridge or freezer first .

When it comes to leftovers , you might automatically guess about the bighearted holiday feasts that leave loads ofleftover turkeyand mashed white potato . But as someone that survive alone and loves to cook and broil , I almost always have plenty of remnant . I taste to immobilise any abundant remnant to avoidfood waste , but it ’s easy to lose raceway of just how long that remnant pizza pie has been stash in the back of the electric refrigerator . With the help of our Test Kitchen ( which use theUSDA as a imagination ) , I cover down the most plebeian intellectual nourishment that we end up with remnant . Of naturally , you ’ll want to ensure you followproper food safetymeasures in packaging and stack away leftovers to avoid anyrisk of intellectual nourishment poisoning .

Jason Donnelly

storage containers filled with leftovers

Credit:Jason Donnelly

How Long to Store Leftovers

Use this leftover solid food chart as a guide on how long you’re able to go forward exhaust foods after they ’ve been opened or organise . If you have food that ’s unopened , go in front and follow the exhalation date for the " use by " or " freeze by " date . When in doubt , take the safer route by tossing it .

Looking for a more specific food to incur out how long the leftovers will last ? TryUSDA ’s FoodKeeper Appwhere you could search for products . you may also practice our Test Kitchen ’s template for how to broth and store your groceries .

How Long to Store Leftover Takeout

So you ordered too much takeout or have remnant froma holiday meal . It ’s nice have lunch for tomorrow covered , but it ’s also of import to make certain you’restoring these perishable solid food safelyto avoid any unwellness . Pop those leftovers in the electric refrigerator within 2 hours to love for up to 4 days . If it was leave out longer than 2 hour ( or an hour in a room that ’s 90 ° F or above ) , you ’ll need to throw it aside .

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

You ca n’t always see , perceptiveness , or smell the bacteria that make foodborne malady . Use a food thermometer to reheat leftover to 165 ° F , which is a high-pitched enough temperature to destroy harmful bacteria . If your remnant are frosty , be sure to thawing gradually in the refrigerator and not at room temperature ( staff of life and sweets are OK to thaw on the heel counter ) .

It ’s not just the leftovers you ’ll need to watch out for safe use and/or the better quality . ensure you do unconstipated checks of your buttery and fridge for thattoo - previous salad dressing , nut butter , and more .

" Leftovers and Food Safety . " U.S. Department of Agriculture . 2020

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