The Way You're Storing Leftover Pizza Is Actually Dangerous (2024)

FAQs

The Way You're Storing Leftover Pizza Is Actually Dangerous? ›

Sorry to break the news, but pizza should absolutely not be stored at room temperature overnight. In fact, it shouldn't even spend more than a few hours on the counter. The temperature range of 40-140°F is widely known as the temperature danger zone—a.k.a. the climate where bacteria can thrive.

You may have gotten away with eating pizza that sat out in the past without consequences, but that doesn't mean you'll be unscathed next time. So, if it sat out overnight, toss that pizza in the trash or compost bin, and spare yourself the risk of foodborne illness.

In general, she says all cooked foods and leftovers can be kept in the fridge for no more than three or four days. After that, they could start to spoil and contain bacteria. Jeremy White, editor-in-chief of Pizza Today, shares the same sentiments as Carothers. In fact, he says four days could be pushing it.

The USDA's food safety guidelines state that leftover pizza will last in the refrigerator for up to four days — provided the two-hour rule was followed beforehand. To properly refrigerate your leftover pizza, wrap it tightly in foil or plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container.

According to the USDA, if the pizza has been refrigerated at a temperature below 40 degrees, its only safe to eat for up to 4 days. The USDA says that after 4 days, you run the risk of getting a food-borne illness, such as Salmonella, norovirus, or other diseases with horrifying Latin names.

The best way is to stack and wrap: Place a single layer of slices on a dinner plate, top with a layer of wax, freezer, foil or parchment paper. Keep stacking, alternating pizza and paper, until all the pizza's on the plate. Wrap the whole thing tightly up in plastic wrap, and place it in the refrigerator. That's it!

Anything perishable should go into the fridge within two hours. If perishables are sitting in temperatures of more than 90 degrees, the time limit to get them into the fridge goes down to one hour. Examples include leftovers, boiled or fried rice, pasta salad, cut fruit, and poultry, meat and seafood.

What are signs that an uneaten slice has gone bad or spoiled? Since you are talking about pizza, a luxury food, you should toss it in after a few days in the fridge. If you see the pepperoni or other meats sweating or see some tell-tale signs of mold, toss it. If it is dry and hard as a rock, toss it.

In short, if you're craving a piece of cold pizza, just make sure you're grabbing it from the fridge or freezer — not your kitchen counter or the end table in your hotel room. Your taste buds, and stomach, will thank you later.

It's not recommended to eat pizza that has been stored in the fridge for more than four days. If you choose to do so, it's important to check for signs of spoilage and discard any slices with an off-putting color or odor. If you want to extend the shelf life of pizza beyond four days, freezing is the best option.

Is cold pizza healthier? ›

Whether it's cold, hot, or preheated, pizzas should be enjoyed in the way that you prefer. These pies are delicious, filling, and contain everything that you need in a meal. Just remember to always follow the standard procedure to avoid foodborne illnesses.

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.

This is because pizza can keep its structure better in the cold. The cold also prevents your cheese from melting in your sauce and crust, keeping each layer of the pie perfectly distinct.

The USDA reports that bacteria can start taking over your leftovers in as little as 20 minutes. And after two hours, it's deemed unsafe to eat left-out pizza at all. In mild to moderate cases, getting food-borne illnesses from room temperature food means stomach pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and fever.

24 months old +: At this age, many toddlers are able to handle a whole slice of pizza with toppings. If any toppings look too challenging for the child simply peel them off and suggest those be eaten separately.

It's safe to reheat pizza the next day, as long as you're heating to a temperature that would kill any bacteria off. An oven, air fryer, frying pan, and microwave are all viable options, but some methods work better than others. So don't just whack your pizza in there and hope for the best!

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.

The type of cheese is the biggest consideration - hard cheese will last longer and is less likely to pose a health risk, while soft and fresh cheeses should remain refrigerated and only be left out for two hours at most. No matter the cheese, leaving it out for more than two hours may change the quality and taste.

If you are planning to use your pizza dough soon, you can store it at room temperature for about four hours. Any longer than that and you will want to keep it in the fridge to avoid over-fermentation.