How Long is Pizza Good for in the Fridge? (Detailed Answer)
It may have been the first get-together of the year and the whole family came, so you ordered pizza in abundance because they all wanted different kinds of toppings and you wanted everyone to eat to their fill but now, you have leftovers. Or maybe it’s a picnic or game night with your buddies and you want to have a variety of snacks available, so pizza is on the menu but now the night is over and there’s half a pie left.
The question becomes, how long can you keep that pizza in the fridge before it starts to go bad?
While we’re grateful for refrigerators and how they help us preserve our leftovers, it is good that we know how long pizza is good for in the fridge to avoid food poisoning even when the pizza still “looks good”. This blog post answers the question of how long is pizza good for in the fridge, highlights the factors that you need to consider when storing leftover pizza, how to store leftovers and so much more.
Pizza as a delicious mealtime staple is made up of many ingredients that can enhance spoilage if not stored properly. As recommended by USDA, It is important to note that if you left your pizza at room temperature for two hours and above, you shouldn’t bother refrigerating it because it is no longer safe to eat. This also applies to other baked foods like bread, doughnuts, etc.
How Long Is Pizza Good For In The Fridge? (Exact answer)
A typical cheese pizza will last about 3-4 days in the fridge, while a pepperoni pizza will last for about 2-3 days. This average applies to other types of pizza and you might get an extra day but any time longer than that will render your pizza unsafe for consumption. Even if it still looks okay to eat, unseen microbial activity might have already begun and you don’t want to risk suffering a foodborne illness, do you?
How to Store Pizza in the Fridge
It is advisable not to leave the pizza sitting in the cardboard box (whether open or closed) for more than an hour or two. Allow the pizza to cool down before placing it in the fridge. There are a few things you can do to make sure your pizza lasts as long as possible in the fridge:
- First, always keep your pizza in its original packaging. This will help to protect it from the elements and keep it fresh.
- Try to store your pizza in a cool, dry place. The fridge is a good option, but make sure it’s not too cold or too humid.
- Finally, avoid putting your pizza in the freezer. Freezing will cause the crust to become soggy and the cheese to melt.
To properly preserve your pizza in the fridge, you must know the best place to keep it. All areas of the fridge do not have the same temperature. Some parts are colder than others. Parts like the door of the fridge and its top shelves tend to be warmer than other parts. If you want to keep your leftover pizza safe to eat for a good while, the best place to keep it is in the back corner and on the bottom shelf. This is the coldest part and will determine how long your pizza is good for in the fridge.
If your pizza’s cardboard box isn’t suitable for storage, don’t worry, you can still store your pizza properly.
An alternative way to store leftover pizza is in an airtight container or a Tupperware. This helps to greatly slow down bacterial growth and keep your pizza from going stale. Another way to safely keep your pizza is by wrapping the slices, first in a plastic wrap and then in tin foil. According to the USDA, pizza kept in sealed bags in the fridge should be eaten within 2 days.
At this point, it is important to note that you can only refrigerate pizza that has been properly cooked. This greater determines how long it will stay in the refrigerator. Pizza not properly cooked can spoil faster, even in the refrigerator. This is because some parts that were not exposed to heat can be quickly affected by microbial activity.
Signs That Tell If Your Pizza Has Gone Bad
If you’re unsure whether or not your pizza has gone bad, there are a few signs to look out for:
- A change in texture: Pizza that’s been in the fridge for more than three days may start to spoil. The cheese may become slimy, and the crust may become soft and soggy. If the toppings are starting to decompose, it’s definitely time to throw the pizza out.
- An unpleasant odor: Another sign that your pizza has gone bad is an unusual smell. If the pizza smells sour or unpleasant, it is best to discard it. Don’t even bother reheating it.
- A change in color: If you notice unusual colors like green patches or fungal growth, your pizza is absolutely unfit for consumption.
If you’re ever in doubt, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Throw out any pizza that doesn’t look or smell right, and don’t take any chances.
Can You Freeze Pizza?
Yes, you can freeze pizza, but it is not recommended. The texture and flavor of the pizza will be affected, and it may not taste as good when you thaw it out and reheat it but if you really want to freeze for more than three days, wrap each slice separately in aluminum foil before putting them in one bag. This will prevent the slices from sticking together and help them last longer. Once you take it out and the crust is too hard, leave it to thaw on the tabletop before reheating. This will help to preserve the taste after reheating.
How to Reheat Left-Over Pizza
The best way to reheat pizza is in a conventional oven . Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and then place the pizza on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the crust is crispy. You can also reheat pizza in a microwave, but it’s best to use the “reheat” setting rather than nuking it at full power. Place the slice on a microwave-safe plate and heat for 15-20 seconds. If you leave them in for longer than that, they may start to steam and become rubbery.
Final Thoughts
In answering “how long is pizza good for in the fridge?” we now know that pizza is typically good for 3-4 days in the fridge. If you are not going to eat it within that time frame, you can freeze it as well. Just make sure to reheat it in a 350-degree oven for about 15 minutes before eating.
So, the next time you’re craving some pizza, know that you have a few days to get your fix. And if you can’t finish it all in one sitting, no problem at all. Just pop it in the fridge and save the delicious goodness for later. Just make sure that when you are ready to eat, it doesn’t have any funny smell or unusual color on it.
