Food Safety
How Long Do Leftovers Last in the Fridge?
For most cooked leftovers, the useful rule is three to four days in a refrigerator kept at 4°C/40°F or below. If you will not eat them in that window, freeze them sooner rather than later.
Cool food promptly
Refrigerate perishable food within two hours of cooking or serving—within one hour when the surrounding temperature is above 32°C/90°F. Divide a large pot of soup or stew between shallow containers so it cools quickly. Hot food can go directly into the refrigerator.
Label the container
Write the cooking date on the lid. Smell and appearance can reveal spoilage, but food containing harmful bacteria may look and smell normal, so the date matters.
Reheat thoroughly
USDA guidance gives 74°C/165°F as the safe reheating temperature for leftovers. Bring sauces, soups, and gravy to a boil, and stir microwaved food so it heats evenly.
When in doubt about how long food has been stored or whether it stayed cold, discard it. Extra caution is important for pregnant people, young children, older adults, and anyone with a weakened immune system.