Most leftovers, cooked rice included, keep for 3 to 4 days in the fridge. Freeze them if you won't eat them by then.
Storage times
| Leftovers | Fridge | Freezer |
|---|---|---|
| Cooked meat or poultry | 3 to 4 days | 2 to 6 months |
| Dishes with meat, fish, poultry or egg | 3 to 4 days | 2 to 3 months |
| Cooked rice, vegetables or potatoes | 3 to 4 days | 1 to 2 months |
| Soups and stews | 3 to 4 days | 2 to 3 months |
| Pizza | 3 to 4 days | 1 to 2 months |
Fridge at 40°F (4°C) or below, freezer at 0°F (−18°C) or below. Freezer times are for best quality only: food kept frozen at 0°F (−18°C) or below stays safe indefinitely. A dash means the source gives no time. The sources give slightly different freezer times. All of them are for quality, not safety.
Storage tips
- Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours of cooking (1 hour above 90°F / 32°C).
- Cool food fast: split big batches into shallow containers and cut large pieces smaller. Hot food can go straight into the fridge.
- Cover leftovers or seal them in airtight containers.
- Reheat leftovers to 165°F (74°C), measured with a food thermometer.
- Thaw frozen leftovers in the fridge (then eat within 3 to 4 days), in cold water in a leak-proof bag (cook before refreezing), or in the microwave (heat to 165°F / 74°C).
- It's safe to reheat frozen leftovers without thawing them first; it just takes longer.
Signs it's gone off
- Moldy cooked meat, poultry, casseroles, grains or pasta: throw it out. Mold can reach below the surface of moist food, and bacteria can grow alongside it.
- Past 4 days in the fridge, throw it out even if it looks and smells fine.
Common questions
How long do leftovers last in the fridge?
Most leftovers keep for 3 to 4 days in the fridge, according to USDA.
How long does cooked rice last in the fridge?
Cooked rice keeps for 3 to 4 days in the fridge and 1 to 2 months in the freezer, according to USDA FoodKeeper.
Can you reheat frozen leftovers without thawing them?
Yes. USDA says it's safe to reheat frozen leftovers without thawing; it just takes longer. Heat them to 165°F (74°C).
Sources
- FoodSafety.gov, Cold Food Storage Chart
- USDA FoodKeeper (FSIS, Cornell University and the Food Marketing Institute)
- USDA FSIS, Leftovers and Food Safety
- USDA FSIS, Molds on Food: Are They Dangerous?
Guidance, not a guarantee. These times come from US government food safety sources and assume food was handled and stored safely. Always follow the date and instructions on the package, check food before you eat it, and when in doubt, throw it out. This page isn't medical advice.
