How Long Do Leftovers Last in the Fridge?

Quick Answer

According to USDA food safety guidelines, most cooked leftovers are safe in the refrigerator for 3–4 days when kept at 40°F (4°C) or colder. After that, the risk of foodborne illness rises even if the food looks and smells fine. When in doubt, throw it out. To keep leftovers longer, freeze them within the 3–4 day window.

How Long Common Leftovers Last

Food	Refrigerator (40°F)	Freezer (0°F)
Cooked meat, poultry, fish	3–4 days	2–6 months
Soups and stews	3–4 days	2–3 months
Cooked rice and pasta	3–4 days	1–2 months
Pizza	3–4 days	1–2 months
Cooked vegetables	3–4 days	2–3 months
Gravy and meat broth	1–2 days	2–3 months
Deli / lunch meat (opened)	3–5 days	1–2 months
Hard-boiled eggs	up to 7 days	not recommended

The 2-Hour Rule

Bacteria multiply fastest between 40°F and 140°F—the "danger zone." Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours of cooking (within 1 hour if the room is above 90°F, such as at a summer picnic). Food left out longer than that should be discarded, no matter how it looks.

Factors That Affect Shelf Life

• Refrigerator temperature — keep it at or below 40°F; a fridge thermometer helps.
• How quickly it was cooled — dividing food into shallow containers cools it faster.
• Type of food — gravies, broths, and rice spoil faster than dense casseroles.
• Storage container — airtight containers slow spoilage and prevent cross-contamination.
• How often it's reheated — reheat only the portion you'll eat; repeated reheating shortens life.

Storage and Safety Tips

• Store leftovers in shallow, airtight containers so they cool quickly and evenly.
• Label containers with the date so you can track the 3–4 day window.
• Reheat leftovers to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) before eating.
• Freeze anything you won't eat within 3–4 days; freezing at 0°F stops bacterial growth.
• Thaw frozen leftovers in the fridge, not on the counter.

When to Throw It Out

Discard leftovers if they show any off smell, slimy texture, mold, or unusual color—and always after 4 days in the fridge. Note that harmful bacteria like Listeria can grow without changing how food looks, smells, or tastes, so the date rule matters more than appearance. Symptoms of foodborne illness (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever) can appear hours to days after eating; seek medical care for high fever, bloody stools, severe dehydration, or symptoms lasting more than a few days.