How long do leftovers last in the fridge and freezer?
In short: leftovers keep 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 2 to 6 months.
Storage times at a glance
| Type | Fridge (40°F / 4°C) | Freezer (0°F / −18°C) |
|---|---|---|
| Cooked meat or poultry dishes | 3 to 4 days | 2 to 6 months |
| Soups and stews | 3 to 4 days | 2 to 3 months |
| Pizza | 3 to 4 days | 1 to 2 months |
The 3- to 4-day rule
Most cooked leftovers, including takeout, keep 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. Count from the day the food was cooked, not the day you last reheated it, and reheat only the portion you are going to eat.
Cool them fast
Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours, or within 1 hour on a hot day. Divide large amounts into shallow containers so they cool quickly; a deep pot of food can stay warm in the middle long enough for bacteria to grow. It is fine to put warm food straight into the refrigerator.
Freeze what you will not finish
If you will not eat leftovers within 3 to 4 days, freeze them right away in single portions labeled with the date. Most cooked meat dishes keep their quality for 2 to 6 months, soups and stews for 2 to 3 months. Thaw them in the refrigerator or reheat them straight from frozen.
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 do leftovers 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 leftovers?
Yes. Kept frozen at 0°F (−18°C), food stays safe indefinitely; for the best quality, use it within 2 to 6 months.
Related FridgeBuddy guides
- Cooked chicken and meat — Fridge and freezer storage times.
- Leftover pizza — 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.
Use your food before it becomes waste.
