With Thanksgiving less than a week away, and holiday meal preparation keeping families busy, one item families do not want to be concerned about is classic desserts causing foodborne illness, commonly called food poisoning.
“A common food safety question around the holidays is, do I have to refrigerate the pies?"explains Lisa Peterson, University of Illinois Extensionnutrition and wellness educator.
“Well, that depends on the type of pie," Peterson states. "Pies with ingredients typically stored in the refrigerator,or are higher in protein and moisture, give bacteria the ideal environment to grow and become harmful at room temperature."
Pies made with eggs, cream, sour cream, cream cheese, milk, including evaporated or condensed milk need special care. Pumpkin, cream, chiffon, or custard-based pies should not be out of the refrigerator for more than two hours.
"Keep in mind, custard and cream-based pies often do not freeze well," adds Peterson.
Foodborne illness causes 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. To ensure pies are being stored correctly, read the ingredients in the recipe. If a pie contains eggs or dairy products, it should be stored in the refrigerator and not left out at room temperature for more than two hours. Pies that do not contain dairy products, such as fruit pies can be stored, loosely covered at room temperature for up to two days. Additionally, to keep the fruit pies a few extra days, they can be stored in the refrigerator.
When discussing the safety of a homemade pumpkin pie, they should be stored in the refrigerator because of the ingredients.
One response Peterson hears when discussing pumpkin pie storage is, “The grocery stores keep their pumpkin and pecan pies at room temperature, why can’t I?” There is a difference between a store-bought pie and a homemade pie, and it has to do with ingredients and processing. Store-bought pies contain preservatives to keep pies safe and shelf-stable. They must also follow compliance with the Food and Drug Administration.
“Pumpkin pie must reach an internal temperature of 180°F at its coolest point to destroy microorganisms, follow good manufacturing practices guidelines, undergo microbial testing, and be labeled with a use-by date," Peterson explains. "Pies can still be prepared before the holiday event; providing they are being stored correctly."
According to the United States Department of Agriculture, pumpkin pie can be kept up to four days in the refrigerator and kept in the freezer for the best quality for up to two months.
Taking extra care to wash hands before preparing food, using a food thermometer, and storing food correctly are just a few ways to prevent a holiday mishap.
Looking for additional recipes or questions about preparing a turkey? Visit University of Illinois Extension website, “Turkey for the Holidays” at extension.illinois.edu/turkey, or get a quick answer by calling your local Extension office.
For those looking to prepare a diabetes-friendly pumpkin pie, try the fluffy pumpkin pie recipe from University of Illinois Extension’s Recipe for Diabetes website. University of Illinois Extension wishes all a happy and healthy holiday season.
For more information, contact Lisa Peterson, University of Illinois Extension Nutrition & Wellness Educator at 217-532-3941.
Fluffy Pumpkin Pie |
½ package Jiffy® pie crust mix
½ cup Splenda
1 teaspoon cornstarch
½ cup skim milk
1 egg
1 can pumpkin, 15 ounces
½ teaspoon cinnamon | 1 envelope unflavored gelatin
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
¼ teaspoon ginger
1/8 teaspoon cloves
1 cup Cool Whip Free® |
- Prepare pie crust mix according to directions. Cool.
- Whisk Splenda, gelatin, cornstarch, and milk in a saucepan over medium heat until boils and thickens. Whisk half of the mixture into egg; then back into remaining milk mixture, heating until thickens.
- Remove milk mixture from heat and fold in pumpkin and spices. Cool.
- Fold topping into pumpkin mixture and spread into pie crust. Chill until set.
Nutrition Facts: Makes 8 servings: 142 calories, 7 g. fat, 141 mg. sodium, 17 g. , looking, 2 g. dietary fiber, 3 g. protein |
FAQs
If a pie contains eggs or dairy products, it should be stored in the refrigerator and not left out at room temperature for more than two hours. Pies that do not contain dairy products, such as fruit pies can be stored, loosely covered at room temperature for up to two days.
Is a pie that should refrigerate? ›
How to Store a Pie. Be sure to refrigerate pies containing eggs (pumpkin, custard and cream pies). Be aware that custard and cream pies do not freeze successfully.
How long can an apple pie sit out? ›
How Long Does Apple Pie Last? A basic apple pie made with sugar will last up to two days at room temperature in an airtight container. Afterward, it needs to go in the refrigerator and will last for up to two days.
What happens if I don't refrigerate my pie dough? ›
It takes a bit longer for the crust to get golden brown, which means a slightly longer baking time, but the final product is much flakier and crispier. Non-chilled crust is fairly crumbly and less smooth, which makes it harder to roll out and means it may not look as polished.
How long does meat pie last unrefrigerated? ›
Havern explains: "The maximum amount of time perishable foods can [spend] in the danger zone is two hours. At two hours, the food must be consumed, stored correctly, or thrown away. This includes all cooked leftovers, [chopped] fruits and vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy products."
How long can pie stay unrefrigerated? ›
If a pie contains eggs or dairy products, it should be stored in the refrigerator and not left out at room temperature for more than two hours. Pies that do not contain dairy products, such as fruit pies can be stored, loosely covered at room temperature for up to two days.
How long does a pie need to be in the fridge? ›
Key pie points to remember
Apple and other fruit pies keep at room temperature for up to two days, then in the fridge for two more. Pumpkin, custard, or other egg/dairy-based pies can be stored in the fridge for up to four days.
How can you tell if apple pie has gone bad? ›
When apple pie has gone bad, it may start to grow mold, typically a fuzzy white or green substance appearing on the surface. Additionally, if the pie has a sour, off smell, then it's a sure sign that it's spoiled. The taste can also be off, sour, or simply not as fresh.
How to store pie after baking? ›
Here's a quick rundown of the ideal pie-storage times and methods:
- Custard and cream pies, and any pies containing eggs and dairy. Cover with plastic wrap as soon as they're cool and refrigerate for up to 2 days.
- Fruit-filled pies. Storable at room temp for up to 2 days, then refrigerate for up to 2 days.
While no pie should be stored on the counter indefinitely, McDowell tells me that she likes to store fruit and custard pies at room temperature. She also mentions that you don't want to slice these two types of pie until they have cooled to room temperature, anyway, so they're great options for making ahead of time.
2 However, you've probably noticed that a lot of grocery stores and restaurants serve and store them at room temperature. This is because, quite simply, they taste better that way. So, if you're not going to serve your pumpkin pie for a day or two, your best bet is to store it in the refrigerator.
How to quickly chill pie dough? ›
Chilling dough after it is rolled is quick. Putting the whole pie or just the crust into the refrigerator for about 15 minutes will do the trick.
What happens if you don't refrigerate dough? ›
Popping your dough in the fridge allows the fats to cool. As a result, the cookies will expand more slowly, holding onto their texture. If you skip the chilling step, you're more likely to wind up with flat, sad disks instead of lovely, chewy cookies. Cookies made from chilled dough are also much more flavorful.
Can an apple pie sit out overnight? ›
The pie will be just fine on the counter, but only for a day or two, at which point it needs to go into the fridge. The sugar and acid in apple pie will slow down bacteria growth in that 1-2 day period, but all bets are off after that.
Can I eat food that was left out overnight? ›
Eating food left out overnight is a food safety no-no. No exceptions. So, please make your personal pledge today to NEVER eat it. Even if you're in the habit of doing this and haven't gotten sick yet, it's better to be safe than to take the risk and become terribly ill or lose your life to foodborne illness.
Why is store-bought pecan pie not refrigerated? ›
According to the USDA, any pie that is egg-rich (such as pecan, pumpkin, lemon meringue, and any custard pie) must be kept in the fridge after baking and cooling. The exception here is some store-bought pies, which may contain preservatives that will allow the pies to be left unrefrigerated.
What 2 other pies should be stored in the refrigerator? ›
Be sure to refrigerate cream, custard, pumpkin, mousse, chiffon, or any other pies containing eggs or dairy as soon as they've cooled. They'll keep for up to 2 days. (This includes savory pies like quiche.)
What is the best way to store a pie overnight? ›
Loosely cover: After baking and cooling your pie, loosely cover it with aluminum foil. Store: store for at room temperature for up to two days, or up to seven days in the fridge according to USDA guidelines. Bake: Bake pie 10 to 15 minutes in a 375°F oven before serving to help re-crisp the crust and warm up the fruit.
