How to reheat, store, and freeze leftover pizza safely
Quick answer
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Fridge
Keeps for 3-4 days
Wrap or cover leftover pizza and refrigerate it within 2 hours of cooking, at 40°F (4°C) or below.
Watch out Throw it away if it sat out for more than 2 hours, or 1 hour above 90°F (32°C).
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Freezer
Keeps for 1-2 months
Wrap the pizza in airtight packaging or seal it in a container, then freeze it right away.
Watch out The 1 to 2 months is for quality, since food kept constantly at 0°F (-18°C) stays safe.
Leftover pizza lasts 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator and 1 to 2 months in the freezer. Reheat it to 165°F, checked with a food thermometer. Throw away pizza that sat out for more than 2 hours, or 1 hour above 90°F (32°C).
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Leftover pizza lasts 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator and 1 to 2 months in the freezer. To reheat it safely, heat it until it reaches 165°F on a food thermometer.
The storage times come from the USDA’s FoodKeeper, and the handling rules come from its leftovers guidance.
How long does pizza last?
Leftover pizza lasts 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator and 1 to 2 months in the freezer. The freezer time is for best quality, because food kept constantly at 0°F (-18°C) stays safe.
| Pizza | Fridge | Freezer |
|---|---|---|
| Leftover pizza | 3 to 4 days | 1 to 2 months |
| Pizza you bought frozen | 3 to 4 days once cooked | 12 months |
How long does pizza last in the fridge?
Leftover pizza is good for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator, according to USDA FoodKeeper. The USDA says to use leftovers within 3 to 4 days so mold doesn’t have a chance to grow.
Refrigerate the pizza within 2 hours of cooking, or within 2 hours of taking it out of a warming appliance. Keep the refrigerator at 40°F (4°C) or below.
How to store leftover pizza in the fridge
Cover the pizza, wrap it in airtight packaging, or seal it in a storage container. That keeps bacteria out, holds moisture, and stops the pizza from picking up odors from other food in the fridge.
How long can pizza sit out?
Pizza can sit out for up to 2 hours, or for 1 hour when the temperature is above 90°F (32°C), such as at an outdoor picnic in summer. After that, throw it away.
Bacteria grow most rapidly between 40°F (4°C) and 140°F (60°C), doubling in number in as little as 20 minutes. The USDA calls this range the Danger Zone. Hot pizza must stay at 140°F (60°C) or warmer to prevent bacterial growth.
Can you eat pizza left out overnight?
No. Pizza left out overnight has sat well past the 2 hours the USDA allows, so throw it away.
How to reheat pizza
Reheat pizza until it reaches 165°F, measured with a food thermometer. Whichever way you reheat it, cover the pizza while it heats, which holds in moisture and helps it heat all the way through.
How to reheat pizza in the microwave
To reheat pizza in the microwave, cover it and rotate it for even heating. The steam under the cover creates moist heat, which helps destroy harmful bacteria and heats the pizza evenly.
- Arrange the slices evenly in a covered microwave-safe glass or ceramic dish.
- Check that the cover is microwave-safe, and vent the lid or wrap so steam can escape.
- Rotate the dish during heating so the pizza heats evenly.
- Let it rest, then check the temperature in several places with a food thermometer, because microwaves have cold spots.
How to reheat frozen pizza
You can reheat frozen leftover pizza without thawing it first. The USDA says that’s safe. It takes longer than reheating thawed pizza, but it works when time is short.
Can you freeze pizza?
Yes, you can freeze leftover pizza for 1 to 2 months for best quality. Wrap it in airtight packaging or seal it in a storage container, and freeze it right away.
Pizza kept constantly at 0°F (-18°C) stays safe. Only quality suffers with long freezer storage.
How to thaw frozen pizza
Leftover pizza can be thawed safely in the refrigerator, in cold water, or in the microwave.
- In the refrigerator, which takes the longest, but the pizza stays safe the entire time.
- In cold water, which is faster but needs more attention. Keep the pizza in a leak-proof package or plastic bag so water and bacteria can’t get in.
- In the microwave, which is the fastest. Keep heating the pizza until it reaches 165°F.
Frozen pizza you bought frozen
Frozen pizza you bought frozen keeps for 12 months in the freezer, according to FoodKeeper. Keep it frozen, and cook it as directed for safety.
Once it’s cooked, leftovers keep 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator.
How long does pizza dough last, and can you freeze it?
Pizza dough in a tube can lasts until the use-by date on the package in the refrigerator, and USDA FoodKeeper does not recommend freezing it. Dough you buy frozen keeps 12 months in the freezer from the date of purchase.
Keep dough you buy frozen in the freezer until you cook it, and cook it as directed for safety. The 3 to 4 days in the fridge that FoodKeeper lists for it apply after cooking, not to raw dough. That line is for commercial dough, which FoodKeeper labels as bread or cookie dough.
| Dough | Fridge | Freezer |
|---|---|---|
| Tube can (biscuits, rolls, pizza dough) | Until the package use-by date | Not recommended |
| Bought frozen (commercial dough) | 3 to 4 days, after cooking | 12 months from the date of purchase |
Frequently asked questions
Can you put hot pizza straight in the fridge?
Yes. The USDA says hot food can go straight into the refrigerator. Make sure the pizza gets there within 2 hours of cooking.
Can you refreeze pizza?
Yes, in some cases. Pizza thawed in the refrigerator can be refrozen, or you can use it within 3 to 4 days. Pizza thawed in cold water must be cooked before refreezing, and pizza thawed in the microwave can be refrozen after heating it to 165°F.
Does freezer burn make pizza unsafe?
No. Freezer burn only dries food in spots, leaving grayish-brown leathery spots where air reached the surface. You can cut those parts away before or after cooking.
Is frozen pizza still safe after 12 months?
Yes, if it was kept constantly at 0°F (-18°C), because frozen food stays safe and only its quality suffers. The 12 months is a quality guide, and you should still cook frozen pizza as directed.
How long does opened pizza sauce last?
Opened pizza sauce keeps 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator. Unopened sauce is good until the use-by date on the package, and refrigerating unopened jars won't make it last longer.
