In this article, we will answer the question "How long can you keep the leftover pizza in the fridge?", and how to store and reheat leftover pizza?

How long can you keep the leftover pizza in the fridge?

According to the USDA, all the cooked foods and leftovers including pizza last 3-4 days in the fridge, if properly stored. You should not consume leftover pizza if it pas more than 4 days old even if it looks alright.

How to store leftover pizza?

Prepare the air-tight container

Store the pizza in slices in an air-tight container instead of putting the whole pizza in the fridge.

Storing the pizza whole, opened or in the cardboard or plate, will make the crusts oggy from all the moisture of tomato sauce, veggies, etc.

This will make it almost impossible to achieve a crispy crust on reheating. So, grab an air-tight container and line it with parchment paper or paper towels.

Stack the pizza slices

Stack the pizza slices in the air-tight container with a paper towel in between each slice. You can use more than 1 container or plate for this purpose.

Close the container

After everything is in place, put the lid on and make sure the seal is tight. If using a plate, cover the stack of pizza slices using a cling wrap.

Refrigerate for short-term storage

Refrigeration is meant to be for short-term storage i.e upto 5 days. But it better preserves the texture of the crust as compared to freezing.

It is best to freeze the pizza if you do not plan to consume it anytime soon on the 3rd day of refrigeration.

Freeze for long-term storage

Freezing will prolong the shelf-life of the leftover pizza upto 6 months. Use a good-quality air-tight container for freezing pizza. Let the pizza thaw on the counter for about an hour before reheating.

How to reheat pizza?

In the oven

Preheat your oven to 350 °F (177 °C) for 5-10 minutes. Place the defrosted pizza on a baking tray, lined with parchment paper, and slide it into the oven.

Bake for 5 minutes until the cheese is bubbly. Reheating in the oven makes the crust crispy. Alternatively, you can use a pizza stone to get a crispy crust. Remove any dried, or soggy toppings before reheating your pizza.

In the toaster oven

Preheat your toaster oven to 400 °F (204 °C). Heat your pizza for 10 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly. This method only works for reheating a slice or two at once.

In the skillet

Place one or two pizza slices on a preheated cast-iron skillet or frying pan. Cover the slices with a lid or foil and leave it so for 6-8 minutes.

Covering the pizza will ensure thorough heating of the toppings. If the crust feels soggy after uncovering the slices, try crisping it for 2-3 minutes without covering.

In the microwave

This method is not reliable since it makes the crust soggy and chewy. But it is the quickest reheating method, so, you do not have an option but to reheat your pizza slices, when in hurry.

Line a microwave-safe plate with a paper towel and microwave your pizza slice for 1 minute with 50% power. To get a crispy crust and promote even heating, place a microwave-safe glass half-full of water in the microwave along with your plate of pizza slices.

Can you reheat pizza directly from the frozen?

Yes, you can reheat frozen pizza without defrosting. In this regard, the best method is the traditional oven method. Bake the pizza in a preheated oven at 425 degrees for 35-40 minutes.

How long do leftovers last?

Category Food Refrigerator (40 °F or below) Freezer (0 °F or below)
Salads Egg, chicken, ham, tuna, & macaroni salads 3-5 days Does not freeze well
Hot dogs Opened packageUnopened package 1 week 2 weeks 1-2 months 1-2 months
Lunchmeat Opened package or deli-sliced Unopened package 3-5 days
2 weeks		 1-2 months
1-2 months
Bacon and sausage Raw bacon Raw sausage made from chicken, turkey, pork, and beef 7 days 1-2 days 1 month1-2 months
Hamburger and other ground meats Raw hamburger, ground beef, turkey, veal, pork, lamb, and mixtures of them 1-2 days 3-4 months
Raw beef, veal, lamb, and pork Steaks ChopsRoasts 3-5 days 3-5 days 3-5 days 6-12 months 4-6 months 4-12 months
Raw poultry Chicken or turkey, whole chicken or turkey, pieces 1-2 days
1-2 days		 1 year
9 months
Soups and stews leftovers Vegetable or meat addedCooked meat or poultry Chicken nuggets or patties Pizza 3-4 days
3-4 days
3-4 days
3-4 days		 2-3 months
2-6 months
1-3 months
1-2 months

Conclusion

In this article, we answered the question "How long can you keep the leftover pizza in the fridge?", and how to store and reheat leftover pizza?

References

https://www.wikihow.com/Store-and-Reheat-Pizza

https://pequodspizza.com/blog/how-long-does-pizza-last-in-fridge/

https://www.statefoodsafety.com/Resources/Resources/when-to-throw-it-out-leftovers

Hi, I am Charlotte, I love cooking and in my previous life, I was a chef. I bring some of my experience to the recipes on this hub and answer your food questions.