Leftovers Shelf Life
Almost all cooked leftovers share one rule: 3–4 days in the fridge, and into the fridge within 2 hours of cooking. What differs is how well each dish freezes and reheats. Cool large batches in shallow containers, reheat to 165°F (74°C), and freeze anything you will not eat in time.
22 foods · times shown are for the most common state of each food; tap a food for every state, storage tips and spoilage signs.
Baked dishes
| Food | Fridge | Freezer | Pantry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Casserole Cooked |
3–4 days | 2–3 months | Not safe |
| Lasagna Cooked |
3–4 days | 2–3 months | Not safe |
| Mac and Cheese Cooked |
3–4 days | 1–2 months | Not safe |
Cooked meat
| Food | Fridge | Freezer | Pantry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cooked Chicken Cooked |
3–4 days | 2–4 months | Not safe |
| Cooked Ground Beef Cooked |
3–4 days | 2–3 months | Not safe |
| Cooked Steak Cooked |
3–4 days | 2–3 months | Not safe |
| Pulled Pork Cooked |
3–4 days | 2–3 months | Not safe |
| Taco Meat Cooked |
3–4 days | 2–3 months | Not safe |
Cooked seafood
| Food | Fridge | Freezer | Pantry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cooked Salmon Cooked |
3–4 days | 2–3 months | Not safe |
Sides
| Food | Fridge | Freezer | Pantry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cooked Beans Cooked |
3–4 days | 2–3 months | Not safe |
| Cooked Vegetables Cooked |
3–4 days | 2–3 months | Not safe |
| Fried Rice Cooked |
3–4 days | 1–2 months | Not safe |
| Gravy Homemade |
3–4 days | 2–3 months | Not safe |
| Mashed Potatoes Cooked |
3–4 days | 1–2 months | Not safe |
| Stuffing Cooked |
3–4 days | 1 month | Not safe |
Soups & stews
| Food | Fridge | Freezer | Pantry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beef Stew Homemade |
3–4 days | 2–3 months | Not safe |
| Chili Homemade |
3–4 days | 2–3 months | Not safe |
| Curry Cooked |
3–4 days | 2–3 months | Not safe |
| Soup Homemade |
3–4 days | 2–3 months | Not safe |
Takeout & delivery
| Food | Fridge | Freezer | Pantry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chinese Takeout Cooked |
3–4 days | 2–3 months | Not safe |
| Fried Chicken Cooked |
3–4 days | 4 months | Not safe |
| Pizza Cooked |
3–4 days | 1–2 months | Not safe |
Not safe = perishable: no more than 2 hours at room temperature. Not recommended = possible, but quality suffers. Freezer times are best-quality windows at 0°F (−18°C).