How Long Can A Pizza Sit Out?

Aren’t we all guilty of eating a leftover stone-cold pizza and loving it? A real pizza lover will have a mutual feeling. But, is that leftover pizza really stomach-safe? Or it’s just another word for sitting-in-the-toilet.

Okay, imagine this. It’s 1.30 am and you are craving your favorite classic pizza. And you have ordered a lot more than your actual hunger because let’s be real who doesn’t? But you are full, and you can’t get enough of that beauty, so you save it for your breakfast. Now we have come up with two situations here. First, that morning pizza slice will be elite. Second, you will have diarrhea. Or both. Sounds bizarre, right? Let’s prevent this from happening and dive straight into the facts.

The 2-Hour Rule

Any food can go bad in time. A pizza, cooked or uncooked should be kept inside the refrigerator within a rule. Yes, pizza has a rule; 2-hour rule. If your pizza has been resting for more than 2 hours now, that my friend is in a danger zone. This rule should only be applied if the weather is cold outside.

Let us consider if the weather is burning hot, then those 2 hours might be too long. You might want to finish your pizza in less than an hour. If it has been left out for longer, don’t think twice and toss it out.

How Long to Keep Leftover Pizza?

Any pizza if left unattended can attract germs, ants and other pest. According to the USDA and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), it's okay to keep the leftover pizza for 3-4 days, only if it's refrigerated under 40 degrees Fahrenheit. The ingredients used in your dish will impact its spoilage. If at any moment the leftover piece starts smelling off even after refrigerating, it is a sign of mold growth. This mold growth can be present on your cheese, crust, meat or veggies. The sign is simple and clear- throw it away.

The FDA also stated that it is safe to keep the leftover pizza in the freezer instead of the fridge for 1-2 months. Our advice- good luck defrosting that thing!

Correct Way to Store Pizza

The way you store your pizza will tell if it will be eaten by you or your trashcan. You will always want to keep it in a tightly sealed container inside the fridge. Avoid keeping the pizza box as it will tend to dry out super-fast. The reason it is advised to keep the pizza in a sealed container as it will hold its moisture and will keep its taste up to 3-4 days.