Free kitchen tool
How long do leftovers last?
How long cooked chicken, rice, pasta, soup, pizza and other leftovers keep in the fridge and freezer, with raw meat and deli meats too, from the FoodSafety.gov storage chart.
How long does it keep?
2 hoursRefrigerate within (1 hour above 90°F)
40°FFridge at or below
165°FReheat leftovers to
3–4 daysMost leftovers
Cooked food & leftovers
| Food | Fridge | Freezer |
|---|---|---|
| Cooked meat or poultry | 3–4 days | 2–6 months |
| Other cooked leftovers | 3–4 days | 3–4 months |
| Soups and stews | 3–4 days | 2–3 months |
| Pizza | 3–4 days | 1–2 months |
| Chicken nuggets or patties | 3–4 days | 1–3 months |
| Casseroles with eggs | 3–4 days | 2–3 months |
| Quiche | 3–5 days | 2–3 months |
Salads & eggs
| Food | Fridge | Freezer |
|---|---|---|
| Egg, chicken, ham, tuna and macaroni salads | 3–4 days | Does not freeze well |
| Hard-cooked eggs | 1 week | Do not freeze |
Raw meat & fish
| Food | Fridge | Freezer |
|---|---|---|
| Raw ground meat | 1–2 days | 3–4 months |
| Raw chicken or turkey pieces | 1–2 days | 9 months |
| Whole raw chicken or turkey | 1–2 days | 1 year |
| Raw steaks, chops and roasts | 3–5 days | 4–12 months |
| Fatty fish | 1–3 days | 2–3 months |
Deli & breakfast meats
| Food | Fridge | Freezer |
|---|---|---|
| Bacon | 1 week | 1 month |
| Hot dogs, opened | 1 week | 1–2 months |
| Lunch meat, opened | 3–5 days | 1–2 months |
| Cooked ham slices | 3–5 days | 1–2 months |
- Freezer times are for quality. Food kept frozen at 0°F stays safe, but it slowly loses moisture and flavor.
- Cool it fast. Divide big batches into shallow containers so they chill quickly.
- Thaw in the fridge and eat within 3 to 4 days, or reheat frozen leftovers straight from the freezer; it just takes longer.
Sources: FoodSafety.gov cold food storage chart and USDA FSIS, Leftovers and food safety.
How to use it
Three steps.
- 1Search for the food, or scroll the chart.
- 2Use the fridge time for food kept at 40°F or below.
- 3Freezer times are for best quality; frozen food stays safe longer.
Questions
Good to know
How long do leftovers last in the fridge?
Three to four days for most cooked leftovers, including cooked chicken, soups, stews, pizza and casseroles, according to the USDA.
How long is cooked chicken good for?
Three to four days in the fridge, or 2 to 6 months in the freezer for best quality.
How long can leftovers sit out?
No more than 2 hours at room temperature, or 1 hour when it is above 90°F. After that, throw them away.
What temperature should leftovers be reheated to?
165°F (74°C), measured with a food thermometer. Bring sauces, soups and gravies to a rolling boil.