How Long Do Leftovers Keep? USDA Food-Safety Numbers: Fridge at 40°F or Below, 3 to 4 Days, Reheat to 165°F
Cooking once and eating twice is routine in many households, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service and the federal FoodSafety.gov portal publish clear numbers for how long leftovers keep.
Temperature comes first: a refrigerator should be held at 40°F (about 4°C) or below, and a freezer at 0°F (about −18°C). The USDA advises checking with an appliance thermometer rather than relying on the dial.
Time comes second: cooked leftovers should be refrigerated within two hours of cooking — within one hour if the room is above 90°F (about 32°C). Refrigerated leftovers should be eaten within three to four days. Freezing keeps food safe indefinitely in safety terms, though quality is best within two to six months for many cooked dishes.
Reheating comes third: leftovers should be reheated to 165°F (about 74°C) throughout, soups and sauces brought to a boil, and microwaved food stirred and rested so heat distributes evenly. Finally, the guidance calls for storing leftovers in shallow containers so they chill quickly, and taking out only the portion to be eaten rather than reheating and re-chilling the whole container repeatedly.
(Source: USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service and FoodSafety.gov guidance)
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 冰箱中的蔬果，CC0（Wikimedia Commons，摄影：Alabama Extension）
