How Long Is Pizza Good For In The Fridge? Guide For Leftovers

How long is pizza good for in the fridge? Today I will show you exactly how you should store pizza, how long you can keep it, and what will ultimately affect its shelf life.

And, if this article got your tummy talking, you have to try my Pizza Cubana Recipe. It’s super easy, packed with flavor, and you won’t even have to worry about any leftovers because there won’t be any!

How Long Is Pizza Good For In The Fridge?

There are MANY factors that will ultimately affect the shelf life of pizza, even in the fridge. And don’t worry. We will get to each of them very soon.

But first, it’s important to understand that even if you store pizza perfectly, it won’t be safe to eat after 4 days. Even if it was, it will definitely not be appetizing at this point. 

To stay on the safe side of things, it’s best to eat any leftover pizza within 2-3 days.

Pizza that is stored in the fridge for too long undergoes a couple of different changes. First of all, harmful bacteria could produce to very dangerous levels, which can cause mild to severe food poisoning.

Secondly, the pizza crust and toppings will start drying out as soon as it is placed inside the fridge. While there are some ways to prevent and even salvage this, after some point, there isn’t much you can do. The pizza slice will never be as good as it was fresh.

What Affects The Shelf Life Of Good Pizza In The Fridge?

As I’ve mentioned before, there are a couple of things that will affect the shelf life of pizza.

How Long It Stood Out

First, the biggest thing that will ultimately affect the shelf life of pizza is how long it stood outside put before you stored it.

A general rule of thumb for food safety is that nothing cooked or raw should stay at room temperature for longer than 2 hours. Even though they do say “room temperature,” a more accurate statement would be within the “temperature danger zone.”

This is a zone between 40-140°F (4.4-60°C). Here, bacteria can thrive and rapidly multiply to very dangerous levels. Depending on which bacteria are present, it could cause severe illnesses and even death.

So, if your pizza stood out for longer than 2 hours at room temperature, its shelf life will be reduced dramatically. In this case, I would eat the pizza within 24 hours. If it stood out overnight, I wouldn’t eat it at all.

Storage Technique

Now, shelf life doesn’t only refer to “bacteria at dangerous levels.” It will also indicate when pizza is no longer good (appealing) to eat.

If the pizza isn’t stored properly, it will change the texture and even flavor. Pizza left uncovered in the fridge will dry out, lose flavor, and become chewy and tough. This can happen within the first hour of storage.

So, make sure you store it in an airtight container or wrapped up well.

Storage Temperature

The colder, the better. Your fridge should always run between 32-40°F (0-4.4°C). The lower the temperature is, the more slowly bacteria reproduce. Ultimately, this means your pizza will last longer.

But again, the texture and flavor will change to such a degree that it may not be worth eating after 7 days, even if it is safe.

How Long Can Pizza Stay In The Freezer?

You may be thinking that the freezer is the ultimate solution. And while it is a very effective way to preserve leftover pizza, it does completely ruin the texture and flavor due to freezer burn.

Frozen pizza can last in the freezer for over 6 months. But, the sooner you eat it, the better its texture will be. You can check out this guide on How To Reheat Pizza In An Air Fryer.

How To Store Pizza In The Fridge?

The key is to ensure the pizza is stored in an airtight bag or container. You can use any tool you want, but I prefer this method.

1. Leave the pizza to cool completely at room temperature. Don’t let it stand out for longer than 2 hours.
2. Wrap the pizza slices in plastic wrap. You should warp it well (so no air can enter) but not tightly. You don’t want the slices to disfigure.
3. Place the wrapped slices in an airtight container. Try to place them in a single layer so the bottom ones don’t get squished.
4. Finally, store the slices in the fridge on the top shelf. This isn’t the coldest spot. But you should reserve colder areas for fresh and raw produce, like raw meat, dairy, eggs, and fruits or vegetables.

If you don’t have plastic wrap, you can also use a sheet of aluminum foil. I just try to avoid it because it’s more expensive and some cheaper brands react with the food, leaving a grayish color and metallic taste.

You can also simply place the slices inside an airtight container without any wrappings.

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