If you’re like most Americans, you probably have a pizza in the fridge at one point or another. Pizza is excellent; it’s tasty, cheap, and can be a quick meal — especially when eaten alongside a glass of cold beer.
But just how long does pizza last in the fridge? It might surprise you that pizza has surprising longevity when properly stored.
In this guide, we’ll explain how long pizza lasts in the refrigerator and in the freezer, like how long does beef jerky last as well as some tips on how to store pizza in the fridge and what you should avoid when you’re storing your pizza. You’ll also find answers to questions like how to reheat different types of pizza in different conditions and more.
How Long Does Pizza Last In The Fridge?
If you store your pizza correctly in the fridge, it can last up to four days. To do this, you need to take a few precautions. First, ensure that your pizza isn’t touching other foods or liquids and is sealed tight. If you don’t do this, your pizza will spoil faster than usual.
Second, remember that the longer you keep it in the fridge, the more likely it is to become freezer burned or moldy—so get in there and use it up before then!
How Long Does Pizza Last in the Freezer?
Pizza lasts at least two months in the freezer. It’s not unusual for a frozen pizza to last up to six months! It’s best to keep it in an airtight container and consume it within a few weeks of purchase, or freeze it and thaw it before eating.
How To Store Pizza In The Fridge?
The best way to store pizza is in a paper or plastic bag. You can also use aluminum foil, but seal the edges tightly, so moisture doesn’t leak out over time.
Here are some tips on how to store pizza in the fridge:
- Slice the pizza into smaller pieces before storing it in the fridge. This will help keep the pizza from going bad quickly.
- Make sure to wrap the pizza in plastic wrap or aluminum foil before putting it in the fridge. This will help keep the moisture and flavor locked in.
- Place the pizza in an airtight container before putting it in the fridge. This will help prevent the pizza from going bad.
- Label the container with the date, so you know how long the pizza has been in the fridge.
- Enjoy the pizza within a few days of storing it in the fridge
How Long Is Leftover Pizza Good For?
There’s a lot of conflicting information about what you can do with leftover pizza, so we wanted to give you a straight answer.
When it comes to leftover pizza, the rule is two days max. After that, it starts to lose its flavor and get hard.
How To Reheat Leftover Pizza?
There are a few options for reheating leftover pizza:
1. Reheat In The Toaster Oven
This is the easiest way, but it can take time (and patience). Just follow these steps:
First, give 5 minutes on high heat and 3 minutes on medium heat (for every additional minute of cooking time, add 2 minutes). Then, finish off by giving it another 2 minutes on low heat (this will help prevent burning).
2. Reheat In A Traditional Oven
When cooking with a traditional oven, it’s essential to set the temperature to 500°F. Place the pizza on the first rack and cook for 5 minutes. Flip it over and cook for 3-4 minutes. This will ensure that your pizza is cooked evenly and thoroughly.
3. The Toaster Oven Method
There are many ways to reheat leftover pizza, but one of the most effective is using a toaster oven. You can get the pizza directly out of the box, pop it in the oven, and it’ll be back to its original heat in no time.
4. Reheating Pizza In A Skillet
Pizza can be reheated in a skillet or griddle pan if you don’t have an oven available. Heat 1/4 cup olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering hot. Place one slice of pizza in the pan, cover with another piece of foil, and cook for about 4 minutes per side until golden brown.
Can You Keep A Frozen Pizza In The Fridge?
You can keep some frozen pizzas in the fridge, but only if they are cooked or cooked and cooled. If you don’t have an oven or stovetop, try using a microwave for cooking the pizza until it’s warmed up. Let it cool down on a plate before putting it in the fridge.
How To Reheat Frozen Pizza?
Reheating Frozen Pizza:
To make your pizza slices the best they can be, preheat your oven to 425°F.
Now, place your pizza slices on a layer of aluminum foil. This will help them stay crispy, and it will make cleanup easier! When you’re ready to cook, place the pizza slices and aluminum foil rack in the oven. This can take 15-20 minutes, but be patient! For best results, try reheating it right before serving.
How To Reheat Refrigerated Pizza?
Reheating Refrigerated Pizza:
First of all, set the oven temperature to 350°F. This will ensure that your pizza is hot and ready to eat when you are. Next, spread water on your crust so it slides out easily from the pan and plate.
Place each pizza slice on an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet (this makes cleanup super easy), add a little extra oil to the sides of each slice so that it doesn’t stick too much to the foil, and bake for 10 minutes in your preheated oven.
After baking, let it cool down completely before serving!
How To Tell Is The Pizza Has Gone Bad?
Signs That Your Pizza Has Gone Bad:
Some telltale signs can help you determine whether or not your pizza needs to be thrown out:
- The crust on your pizza looks dry and flaky
- The sauce looks like it’s starting to bubble up
- The cheese has hardened into a solid mass rather than melting into the crust
- The cheese has turned a brownish color
- The pizza smells like it’s gone bad
If you see any of these signs, you should eat that pizza immediately! Otherwise, you’ll risk ruining your dinner.
Can You Leave Pizza Out Overnight?
Yes, you definitely can leave pizza out overnight.
Pizza is a very forgiving food—it doesn’t need to be cooked from scratch! So you can leave it out for as long as you want, and it’ll still taste great the next day. You could even make a whole bunch of pizzas and freeze them, so you have plenty of pizza for meal prep lunches throughout the week.
What Happens If You Eat Spoiled Pizza?
If you spoil pizza, there are a lot of things that can happen.
1) It tastes off. The crust will be soft and mushy, and the cheese will be liquid.
2) You may get sick. If you eat spoiled pizza, you could get food poisoning or another stomach-related illness caused by bacteria.
3) You’ll have a bad time of it. If you eat spoiled pizza, you’ll probably experience nausea and diarrhea. And if the cheese is too old, it might even taste like cardboard!
4) It’s not worth the risk! Eating spoiled pizza can make you sick for a long time.
What To Do If You Eat Spoiled Pizza?
If you’re unlucky enough to eat a piece of spoiled pizza, here are a few things you can do:
1) Try to vomit it up. This may not be possible or effective for everyone, but it’s worth a shot.
2) Drink lots of fluids. Dehydration can worsen things, so drink as much water, juice, and broth as possible.
3) Take over-the-counter medications. If you’re feeling sick, you may want to take some anti-nausea or ibuprofen medication.
4) See a doctor. If the symptoms don’t go away or worsen, it’s best to see a professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pizza Good After 2 Days?
Although there is still some debate about whether leftover pizza is safe to eat, it is still wonderful to eat after two days.
Can You Leave 1 Week Old Pizza In Fridge?
Yes, you can leave 1 week old pizza in the refrigerator. However, we recommend you keep it for at most 4 to 5 days.
How Many Days Can Pizza Stay In The Fridge?
Pizza can stay in the refrigerator for up to 4 to 5 days if properly wrapped, ideally in Tupperware. The longer it sits in the fridge, the less it’ll taste like pizza, but you may be able to salvage some by baking it again in a warm oven.
How Long Does Chicken Pizza Last In The Fridge?
At average room temperature, Chicken Pizza will last for about 1 to 2 days. Under proper storage conditions in the fridge, this product will last 4 to 5 days.
How Long Does Pepperoni Pizza Last In The Fridge?
Pepperoni pizza lasts for 3-4 days in a refrigerator. It has to be kept in a fridge in a sealed container. Make sure that the container is airtight. If you open the container and have some leftover pizza, make sure to close it right away.
How Long Does Pizza Last Outside The Fridge?
It depends. How hot is it? Pizza is best served at room temperature. It should be fine for two hours if it were just taken out of the refrigerator. Any more than that, you run the risk of bacterial infection.
The Verdict:
Hopefully, this blog has helped determine how long pizza will last once it has been put into the refrigerator. When you’re unsure whether you can keep food, it’s always best to throw it out after 2-3 days. This will be enough time for most perishable items to spoil and help you avoid a bad foodborne illness later on.