How long can leftover food be left out of the refrigerator?
Hot foods should be refrigerated as soon as possible, or within two hours after cooking. Don’t keep food that’s been standing out for more than two hours. Don’t taste test it, either. Even a small amount of contaminated food can cause illness. Date all your leftovers so they can be used within a safe time. Generally, they remain safe when refrigerated for three to five days. If in doubt, throw it out. For more information about food storage visit our Food Storage section. We have storage charts for all types of food there.
