Leftovers: how long they keep and how to reheat
Updated October 2026 · 2 min read
Quick answer
Refrigerate leftovers within two hours, eat them within three to four days and reheat them until steaming hot, to 165°F.
Cool it quickly
Put food in shallow containers and refrigerate within two hours. If it is over 90°F outside, within one hour.
How long
Most cooked leftovers keep three to four days in the refrigerator.
Reheat well
Reheat to 165°F and stir so it heats evenly.
Freeze for later
Freeze what you will not eat in time.
When in doubt
If you are unsure, throw it out.
Why do leftovers need rules?
Harmful bacteria grow between 40°F and 140°F, a range called the danger zone. Cooked food that sits in that range for too long can make you sick, even if it smells fine. Quick cooling and good reheating are the two keys.
What are the rules?
| Step | Rule |
|---|---|
| Cool | Refrigerate within 2 hours, or 1 hour if it is above 90°F |
| Store | Use shallow containers, covered, in a fridge at 40°F or below |
| Keep | Eat within 3 to 4 days |
| Freeze | Freeze what you will not eat in that time |
| Reheat | Heat to 165°F, steaming hot all the way through |
| Cool | Refrigerate within 2 hours, or 1 hour if it is above 90°F |
| Store | Use shallow containers, covered, in a fridge at 40°F or below |
| Keep | Eat within 3 to 4 days |
| Freeze | Freeze what you will not eat in that time |
How long do common leftovers keep?
| Food | In the fridge |
|---|---|
| Cooked meat, poultry, fish | 3 to 4 days |
| Soups and stews | 3 to 4 days |
| Cooked rice and pasta | 3 to 4 days |
| Casseroles and pizza | 3 to 4 days |
| Hard-boiled eggs | About 1 week |
| Cooked meat, poultry, fish | 3 to 4 days |
| Soups and stews | 3 to 4 days |
| Cooked rice and pasta | 3 to 4 days |
| Casseroles and pizza | 3 to 4 days |
Why is rice special?
Cooked rice can carry a bacteria whose spores survive cooking. If rice sits warm, they can grow and make a toxin. Cool rice quickly, refrigerate it within an hour or two, and reheat until steaming hot.
How do you reheat well?
Stir halfway so heat spreads evenly. Cover to hold steam. Add a splash of water. Use a thermometer when you can. Do not reheat food more than once, so reheat only what you plan to eat.
What about microwave cold spots?
Microwaves can leave cold patches. Let food stand for a minute or two after heating, then stir. Check that it reaches 165°F in several places.
How do you label?
Write the date on the container with masking tape and a marker. A label saves you from guessing. If you do not know when it was made, throw it out.
When should you throw food away?
If it has been out longer than 2 hours, smells off, looks moldy or is older than 4 days. When in doubt, throw it out. Do not taste to test it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cooked rice should be refrigerated within two hours.
Leftover Remix turns what you have into a new dinner.
No. Food left out more than two hours should be thrown away.
Many can be eaten cold if they were chilled quickly. Pasta salad, cold chicken and rice salad are common examples.