How long do leftovers last?
In the fridge, leftovers keep for 3 to 4 days from purchase. All 3 kinds are below.
No guideline
3 to 4 days
from purchase
No guideline
By kind
| Kind | Pantry | Fridge | After opening | Freezer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| with meat, fish, poultry, or egg | no guideline | 3 to 4 days | no guideline | 2 to 3 months |
| without meat, fish, poultry, or egg (such as cooked vegitables, rice, or potatoes) | no guideline | 3 to 4 days | no guideline | 1 to 2 months |
| pizza | no guideline | 3 to 4 days | no guideline | 1 to 2 months |
No guideline: USDA gives no time for that place, usually because the food is not stored that way.
Do leftovers go bad?
Yes. The fridge time above is the window USDA gives for good quality; after it, leftovers may still be safe for a short while but quality drops and spoilage signs start. The date on the package is the maker's quality promise; the times here count from purchase unless marked "from the package date".
Two numbers to keep in mind: a fridge at 40 F (4 C) or below, and no more than 2 hours at room temperature (1 hour above 90 F / 32 C) for anything perishable.
How to tell leftovers have gone bad
- Leftovers keep 3 to 4 days in the fridge or 3 to 4 months in the freezer. After 4 days the risk of food poisoning goes up even if the food looks and smells fine, because the bacteria that cause illness do not change taste or smell.
- Anything left at room temperature for more than 2 hours (1 hour above 90 F / 32 C) should be thrown out, not refrigerated.
- Visible mould, a slimy surface or a sour smell means it goes out. USDA lists cooked leftover meat, casseroles, grains and pasta among the mouldy foods that cannot be saved.
- Reheat leftovers to 165 F (74 C), and bring soups, sauces and gravies to a boil.
Sources: Leftovers and Food Safety (USDA FSIS); Molds on Food: Are They Dangerous? (USDA FSIS); Are You Storing Food Safely? (FDA). The times on this page are quality guidelines, not safety limits; food that shows these signs goes out regardless of the date.
How long do other deli & prepared foods last?
Source: USDA FSIS FoodKeeper dataset (public domain). How we decode the data.