How long does leftover pizza last in the fridge and freezer?
In short: leftover pizza keeps 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator at 40°F (4°C) or below. Frozen at 0°F (−18°C), food stays safe indefinitely, and the best quality lasts 1 to 2 months.
Storage times at a glance
| Type | Fridge (40°F / 4°C) | Freezer (0°F / −18°C) |
|---|---|---|
| Leftover pizza | 3 to 4 days | 1 to 2 months |
Pizza left out overnight
Pizza that sat out on the counter or in the box overnight should be thrown away. Like any perishable food, it should not stay at room temperature for more than 2 hours, or 1 hour on a hot day. Toppings such as meat, cheese and vegetables can grow bacteria at room temperature.
Storing leftover pizza
Wrap slices in foil or plastic wrap or put them in an airtight container rather than leaving them in the delivery box. They keep 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. To freeze, wrap slices individually; they keep their best quality for 1 to 2 months.
Reheating for a crisp crust
Reheat slices in a hot skillet or oven rather than the microwave to keep the crust crisp. Frozen slices can go straight into a hot oven. Make sure the toppings are steaming hot before eating.
How to store leftovers
- Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours of cooking, or within 1 hour above 90°F (32°C).
- Divide large batches into shallow containers so they cool quickly.
- Label containers with the date you cooked the food.
- Reheat leftovers to 165°F (74°C), and bring soups and sauces back to a boil.
Freezer times are about quality, not safety
Food kept continuously frozen at 0°F (−18°C) stays safe indefinitely; the freezer times above are about flavor and texture. Label packages with the date you froze them.
Avoid freezing, thawing and refreezing the same food. Every cycle damages texture and flavor, and food that thawed outside the refrigerator gives bacteria a chance to grow. Raw food thawed in the refrigerator can be refrozen, with some loss of quality. Food thawed in cold water or in the microwave must be cooked before it goes back in the freezer. Never refreeze food that thawed on the counter or stayed out more than 2 hours. Freeze in small portions so you only thaw what you need.
When in doubt, throw it out
These times assume food was handled safely and refrigerated promptly. If the package shows a use-by date that comes sooner, follow the label. Trust your nose too: if food smells sour, rancid or simply off, or looks slimy or moldy, throw it out, even within these times. The reverse is not true: the bacteria that cause food poisoning usually do not change the smell or appearance, so food that smells fine past these times is not safe either. Never taste food to check whether it is still good.
Never lose track of the date again
The hard part is rarely knowing the rule; it is remembering when you put the food away. FridgeBuddy lets you scan the barcode and printed date, choose how early you want a reminder, and see what to use first across your fridge, freezer and pantry.
Source: USDA cold food storage chart on FoodSafety.gov, last reviewed by the agency on September 19, 2023. This guide is for general information; always follow the label and your local food-safety authority.
Frequently asked questions
How long does leftover pizza last in the fridge?
3 to 4 days at 40°F (4°C) or below, according to the USDA cold food storage chart.
Can you freeze leftover pizza?
Yes. Kept frozen at 0°F (−18°C), food stays safe indefinitely; for the best quality, use it within 1 to 2 months.
Related FridgeBuddy guides
- Cooked chicken and meat — Fridge and freezer storage times.
- Leftovers — Fridge and freezer storage times.
- Soup and stew — Fridge and freezer storage times.
- Tuna, chicken and egg salad — Fridge and freezer storage times.
- Food storage chart — Fridge and freezer times for every food in this guide.
- Food expiration tracker — Get reminded before food in your kitchen expires.
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