The short answer: Cooked leftovers keep 3 to 4 days in the fridge. Get them into the fridge within 2 hours of cooking.
How long leftovers lasts
- Fridge: 3 to 4 days
- Freezer: 2 to 6 months, depending on the dish
- Left out: No more than 2 hours (1 hour if it is hotter than 90°F)
How to tell leftovers has gone off
- A sour or off smell
- A slimy texture
- Mold
- Remember that food can be unsafe without smelling bad, so go by the days, not only the nose
How to make it last longer
- Cool in shallow containers so it chills quickly.
- Label the container with the date.
- Reheat until steaming hot, to 165°F (74°C).
Common questions
Can you eat leftovers after 5 days?
The guidance is 3 to 4 days. Bacteria that cause illness do not always change the look or smell, so it is safest to freeze leftovers on day 3 if you will not finish them.
Can you reheat food more than once?
It is safer to reheat only the portion you will eat, since each cooling and reheating gives bacteria another chance to grow.
General guidance only. These times are for food bought fresh and kept at 40°F (4°C) in the fridge or 0°F (-18°C) in the freezer. Your own fridge, the packaging and the state of the food always come first, and when in doubt, throw it out. The official US chart is on FoodSafety.gov.
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