Leftovers
The answer
Leftovers last 3–4 days in the fridge and 2–6 months in the freezer.
Caution Refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking (1 hour if above 90°F). Reheat to 165°F before eating.
How long it keeps
Fridge (40°F) 3–4 days safe window
Freezer (0°F) 2–6 months best quality
Room temp 2 hours max then discard
Discard Discard after 4 days in the fridge. Do not taste it to check.
By state & packaging
State Fridge Freezer
Cooked meat or poultry 3–4 days 2–6 months
Pizza 3–4 days 1–2 months
Soups and stews 3–4 days 2–3 months
Cooked rice or pasta 3–4 days 1–2 months
Signs it has gone bad
✕ Sour or off smell
✕ Slimy or sticky texture
✕ Mold anywhere in the container
FAQ
Do the 3–4 days start from when I cooked or refrigerated it?
From when the food was cooked. Refrigerating promptly keeps the full window; food left out longer than 2 hours should be discarded, not stored.
Does reheating leftovers reset the clock?
No. Reheating kills bacteria but not all toxins they may have produced. The 3–4 day window runs regardless of reheating.