Let’s begin by agreeing on this: as great and delicious as a $15 pizza can be, it isn’t worth a trip to the emergency room.
If you are saving up a slice or two for later, you must take care not to expose yourself to health risks and food poisoning, and that is precisely what happens if you eat your pizza after leaving it in the fridge for too long.
So, how long is pizza good for in the fridge? Should you eat pizza that has been in the fridge for five days? Lets answer all these questions as we explore how long pizza is good for in the fridge.
The Golden Rule: 3 to 4 Days in the Fridge
The USDA has made it clear that pizza stored properly in the refrigerator is good for up to 3 to 4 days. This applies both to both pizza that is store-bought and pizza that is homemade. So, any type of pizza stored in your fridge is only good for 3 to 4 days.
Take note that this 3 to 4-day deadline applies to pizza that has been properly stored, meaning it must have been kept at or below 40°F. Pizza stored above 40°F will go bad even faster, possibly within a day.
If you’re not planning to eat your pizza anytime soon, the best solution is to put it in the freeze—pizza can last up to two months in a freezer without significantly losing its taste and texture.
But what about those who like to live dangerously and let their leftovers linger for five days or more? Let’s address that…
Is It Safe to Eat Pizza After Five Days?
Here’s the deal, once your pizza has been in the fridge for five days, it is no longer good, and it is unsafe and unhealthy to eat it.
It may still look fine to the naked eye, but pizza that has been left in the fridge for five days is likely already infested by harmful bacteria like Listeria or Salmonella. These bacteria multiply over time, and the risk of foodborne illness increases dramatically.
Worse of all, they are usually hard to detect. So, pay attention to the deadline: do not eat pizza that has been in the fridge for up to or more than five days.
How to Tell If Pizza Has Gone Bad
Sometimes, even pizza that has been in your fridge for 2 to 3 days may no longer be good. When this happens, it is usually because it was not stored properly, or maybe it had had a rough journey before reaching your fridge.
The easiest way to tell if a pizza slice has gone bad is to rely on some visual cues like mold or discoloration. If your pepperoni is turning gray or your cheese has green spots, it’s game over- the pizza is bad.
Here are some other easy ways to tell if your pizza has gone bad.
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The pizza has a funky or sour smell.
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The crust feels slimy or sticky.
How Long Does Pizza Last Out of the Fridge?
Here’s a quick rule: pizza shouldn’t sit at room temperature for more than 2 hours. If you leave your pizza out of the fridge, it is only going to last about two hours, and that is at room temperature. On a hot summer day, the lifespan of pizza left out of the fridge reduces to about one hour.
Hot temperatures favor bacteria and cause them to multiply quickly, so after two hours, bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus can multiply rapidly, making your pizza unsafe to eat.
So, if you’ve ever thought, “Eh, it’s fine, I’ll just reheat it,” know that reheating doesn’t always kill all bacteria or neutralize toxins they produce. When in doubt, throw it out.
Tips for Storing Your Pizza Safely
To maximize the life of your pizza, follow these simple storage tips
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Wrap your leftover pizza right. Transfer it to an airtight container or wrap it tightly with aluminum foil or plastic wrap.
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Don’t let your pizza linger on the counter before refrigerating. The quicker it cools down, the safer it’ll be.
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Make sure your fridge temperature is set at or below 40°F.
Why Does Pizza Go Bad?
The main reason pizza goes bad so quickly is that it contains so many components that can easily become contaminated by bacteria. The toppings contain moisture, cheese has dairy in it, and the meat toppings can also spoil quickly.
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Toppings like vegetables and sauces add moisture, which accelerates spoilage.
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Cheese easily becomes infected with bacteria if not stored properly.
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Pepperoni, sausage, and chicken can spoil quickly if not refrigerated promptly.
Find the Right Fridge For Your Pizza
Another prominent reason why your pizza may go bad in a short time could be the quality of your refrigerator.
If your fridge does not have the capacity to perform consistently and handle the variety of delicate foods like vegetables, cheese, and sausages that are all involved in pizza, you might still be at risk even after doing everything right.
This is why a modern, reliable, top-quality fridge is a must-have for every pizza lover.
Get a Fridge From Wilprep
Wilprep’s Kitchen is a top provider of reliable commercial kitchen equipment, including refrigerators, food warmers, commercial ranges, and industrial ovens.
Wilprep’s collection of commercial refrigerators includes a variety of models, including display refrigerators, reach-in refrigerators, and open-air models, to suit the needs of diverse businesses. Check out Wilprep for the right materials to grow your business and more information on implementing best practices in your commercial kitchen, including a guide on selecting the ideal refrigerator.
Here are six reasons why you can trust a refrigerator from Wilprep’s Kitchen.
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Embraco compressors provide a fast, consistent, and reliable cooling
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They come in different sizes and dimensions to fit in different kitchen spaces.
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Designed to be energy efficient, minimizing electricity consumption
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Ample and flexible storage options with dedicated compartments, adjustable shelves and door storage space.
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Durable, with stainless steel exteriors and
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Advanced features, freezers are frost-free, and doors automatically close to minimize energy usage.
Check out These Refrigerators from Wilprep
Wilpreps Commercial Solid Door Reach-In Freezer
This small-size refrigerator from Wilprep measures 27 inches, has a door, and offers a total volume of 18.7 cu. ft. It is perfect for storing meat, seafood, desserts, and more frozen foods for your business. Here are some of its features.
Main Features
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Consistent temperature range of 11-14°F.
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A Cubigel compressor and copper evaporator for fast, even cooling
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5 adjustable shelves,each holding up to 88 lb.
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An auto-defrost design to prevent frost or ice buildup.
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The smart door closes when opened to 90° or when opened past 90°
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With double-layered tempered glass doors and a stainless-steel body.
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Certified for safety ETL Sanitation, and DOE.
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Met the applicable requirements of Energy Star and CEC. Energy Star.
Bigger Options
For bigger options of the same refrigerator (same features) but with more capacity, you can check out the Commercial Solid Door Reach-In Freezer (54 inches, two doors, 42.2 cu. ft capacity, 10 adjustable shelves) or the Commercial Display Refrigerator ( 78.1 inches, three doors,72 cu. ft capacity, 12 adjustable shelves).
FAQs About Leftover Pizza
1. Can I eat pizza that’s been left out overnight?
No. Do not eat pizza that has been left out overnight. Pizza left out overnight is a health hazard: bacteria multiply rapidly at room temperature, and reheating won’t make it safe.
2. Can I freeze pizza after it’s been in the fridge for a few days?
It’s best to freeze pizza as soon as possible. Freezing it on day three or four is better than letting it go bad, but the quality may suffer.
3. Does vegan pizza last longer?
Vegan pizza may last slightly longer since it doesn’t have dairy or meat, but the same 3-4-day rule applies.
