Knowing how long to keep leftovers isn't always cut and dry, but it can save you from eating contaminated food and getting sick. General rules exist to help you determine how long it's safe to hold on to food, and when to toss it.
Leftovers Food Storage Chart
As a general rule, cooked leftovers can be kept in the fridge for 3 to 4 days and stored in the freezer for several months before going bad. Specific examples include:
|
Type of Food |
Refrigerator (35 to 40 degrees) |
Freezer (0 degrees) |
|
Cooked meats |
3 to 4 days |
2 to 6 months |
| Cooked poultry | 3 to 4 days | 4 months |
| Cooked poultry in broth/gravy | 3 to 4 days | 6 months |
| Cooked fish/shellfish | 2 to 3 days | 3 months |
|
Pizza |
3 to 4 days |
1 to 2 months |
|
Soups and stews |
3 to 4 days |
2 to 6 months |
|
Cooked stuffing |
3 to 4 days |
1 month |
|
Chicken nuggets |
3 to 4 days |
1 to 3 months |
|
Casseroles |
3 to 4 days |
2 to 6 months |
|
Meat salad with mayonnaise |
3 to 5 days | Do not freeze |
| Egg salad with mayonnaise | 3 to 5 days | Do not freeze |
| Macaroni salad | 3 to 5 days | Do not freeze |
| Sandwiches | 2 to 3 days | 1 month |
| Egg casseroles or quiches | 3 to 4 days | 2 months |
| Lettuce salad | 7 days | Do not freeze |
| Greens | 3 to 5 days | 8 to 12 months |
| Cooked vegetables | 1 to 4 days | 2 to 3 months |
| Gravy/broth | 1 to 4 days | 2 to 3 months |
| Baked fruit pies | 2 to 3 days | 6 to 8 months |
| Pumpkin pie | 2 to 3 days | 1 to 2 months |
| Cakes | 2 to 4 days | 1 to 4 months |
| Pudding | 5 to 6 days | Do not freeze |
| Baked breads | 2 to 3 days | 2 to 3 months |
Meats, Poultry, and Fish
As a general rule, meats, poultry, and fish can be kept in the refrigerator for several days and in the freezer for longer time periods. Use the chart below to help determine how long to safely keep leftover meats.
|
Type of Food |
Refrigerator (35 to 40 degrees) |
Freezer (0 degrees) |
|
Fresh hamburger/ground meat |
1 to 2 days |
3 to 4 months |
|
Fresh poultry |
1 to 2 days |
9 to 12 months |
|
Fresh beef, veal, lamb, or pork |
3 to 5 days |
4 to 12 months |
|
Fresh fish |
1 to 2 days |
3 to 6 months |
|
Canned fish |
1 year |
Do not freeze |
|
Smoked fish |
10 days |
4 to 5 weeks |
|
Bacon |
7 days |
1 month |
|
Luncheon meat |
3 to 14 days |
1 to 2 months |
|
Hot dogs |
7 to 14 days |
1 to 2 months |
Eggs
The amount of time you can keep eggs depends on whether or not the eggs are cooked. Use the chart below as a guideline.
|
Type of Food |
Refrigerator (35 to 40 degrees) |
Freezer (0 degrees) |
|
Fresh eggs with the shell |
3 to 5 weeks |
Do not freeze eggs in shells; beat whites and yolks together, then freeze up to 12 months |
|
Raw egg yolks |
2 to 4 days |
Do not freeze |
|
Raw egg whites |
2 to 4 days |
12 months |
|
Hard-boiled eggs |
7 days |
Do not freeze |
|
Egg substitutes, opened |
3 days |
Do not freeze |
|
Egg substitutes, unopened |
10 days |
12 months |
|
Unshelled cooked eggs |
3 to 4 days |
2 months |
Dairy Foods
Dairy food storage guidelines also vary, and expiration dates come in handy. However, if the food looks or smells sour or has a curdled appearance, it's time to throw it out.
|
Type of Food |
Refrigerator (35 to 40 degrees) |
Freezer (0 degrees) |
|
Milk |
1 to 5 days beyond sell-by date |
3 months (texture may change) |
|
Condensed milk or evaporated milk |
7 days |
Do not freeze |
|
Yogurt |
7 to 10 days |
Do not freeze |
|
Cottage cheese |
1 week |
3 months |
|
Cheese |
1 month |
4 to 6 months |
|
Cream cheese |
2 weeks |
Do not freeze |
|
Buttermilk |
2 weeks |
Do not freeze |
|
Sour cream |
2 weeks |
Do not freeze |
|
Cream |
1 to 5 days beyond sell-by date |
Do not freeze |
|
Butter |
2 weeks |
Do not freeze |
|
Ice cream, opened |
Do not store in fridge |
2 to 3 weeks |
|
Ice cream, unopened |
Do not store in fridge |
2 months |
Fruits and Vegetables
The length of time you should keep fruits and veggies varies, but if you see discoloration or mold, it's time to throw it out.
|
Type of Food |
Refrigerator (35 to 40 degrees) |
Freezer (0 degrees) |
|
Canned fruit |
1 year |
Do not freeze |
|
Canned fruit, opened |
2 to 4 days |
Varies |
|
Most fresh fruit |
3 to 28 days |
9 to 12 months |
|
Dried fruit |
6 months |
1 year |
|
Most fresh vegetables |
2 to 7 days |
Varies |
|
Carrots, beets, parsnips, turnips, and radishes |
14 days |
Varies |
|
Canned vegetables, opened |
1 to 4 days |
2 to 3 months |
Bottom Line
The amount of time you should keep leftover foods varies; storing cooked leftovers in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days is a good rule of thumb. If leftovers smell or taste funny, are discolored or slimy, or you see visible mold, throw out the food. When in doubt, throw it out.
