How long are leftovers good?
USDA says refrigerate perishable leftovers within 2 hours, or within 1 hour if the air is over 90 F. Most cooked leftovers keep 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator, or 3 to 4 months in the freezer for quality. Ham and eggnog have their own rows on the FoodSafety.gov cold storage chart.
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See the specific rows for leftover turkey, leftover ham, and eggnog. Reheat leftover poultry and leftovers to 165 F.
At a glance
| Food | Refrigerator window |
|---|---|
| Most cooked leftovers, including turkey | 3 to 4 days |
| Store-wrapped ham slices, half, or spiral cut | 3 to 5 days |
| Store-wrapped whole cooked ham | 1 week |
| Commercial eggnog | 3 to 5 days |
| Homemade eggnog | 2 to 4 days |
USDA: refrigerate perishable leftovers within 2 hours (1 hour if the air is over 90 F). Most cooked leftovers keep 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator or 3 to 4 months in the freezer for quality. Some foods, especially ham and eggnog, have their own rows on the FoodSafety.gov cold storage chart. This tool uses those published ranges. It is not a lab test of your leftovers.
Leftover window
Sources
Common questions
How soon must leftovers go in the refrigerator?
USDA says within 2 hours, or within 1 hour if the air is over 90 F.
How long do most cooked leftovers last in the fridge?
3 to 4 days in the refrigerator, or 3 to 4 months in the freezer for quality, according to USDA.
Do ham and eggnog use the same leftover window?
No. They have their own rows on the FoodSafety.gov cold storage chart. This tool uses those published ranges when you choose those foods.
Is this tool a lab test of my leftovers?
No. It applies published storage ranges to the date you enter. It cannot test a specific container.