How long potato salad, pasta salad, and coleslaw last in the fridge
Quick answer
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Fridge
Keeps for 3-5 days
Keep potato salad in the refrigerator at 40°F (4°C) or below, and eat it within 3 to 5 days.
Watch out Throw out potato salad left out for more than 2 hours, or 1 hour above 90°F (32°C).
USDA FoodKeeper doesn't recommend freezing potato salad or pasta salad. Both keep 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator, and so does coleslaw, homemade or prepared. Keep these salads at 40°F (4°C) or below, and don't leave them out for more than 2 hours, or 1 hour above 90°F (32°C).
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Potato salad keeps 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator, according to USDA FoodKeeper, but it doesn’t belong in the freezer. Pasta salad gets the same 3 to 5 days, and FoodKeeper doesn’t recommend freezing it either.
Coleslaw, homemade or prepared, also keeps 3 to 5 days in the fridge. So does macaroni salad, on the USDA’s refrigeration chart.
How to store potato salad
Store potato salad in the refrigerator at 40°F (4°C) or below, the USDA’s limit for cold perishable food. It keeps 3 to 5 days there.
The counter and the freezer don’t work for potato salad. It shouldn’t sit out for more than 2 hours, and FoodKeeper doesn’t recommend freezing it.
Pasta salad and coleslaw also keep 3 to 5 days in the fridge. The same 2 hours out of it applies to them.
How long is potato salad good for?
Potato salad is good for 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator, according to USDA FoodKeeper. Pasta salad, macaroni salad, and coleslaw all get the same 3 to 5 days in the fridge.
Macaroni salad’s time comes from the USDA’s refrigeration chart, and the others come from FoodKeeper. In the table, “no time given” means the source lists no freezer time.
| Salad | Fridge | Freezer |
|---|---|---|
| Potato salad | 3 to 5 days | Not recommended |
| Pasta salad | 3 to 5 days | Not recommended |
| Macaroni salad, store-prepared or homemade | 3 to 5 days | No time given |
| Coleslaw, homemade or prepared | 3 to 5 days | No time given |
How long is homemade potato salad good for?
Homemade potato salad is good for 3 to 5 days in the fridge. FoodKeeper lists one time for potato salad, with no separate line for homemade or store-bought.
How long is pasta salad good for in the fridge?
Pasta salad is good for 3 to 5 days in the fridge, according to USDA FoodKeeper. Macaroni salad gets the same time on the USDA’s refrigeration chart, which covers store-prepared or homemade salads. That chart gives egg, chicken, tuna, and ham salads 3 to 5 days too.
How long does coleslaw last in the refrigerator?
Coleslaw lasts 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator, according to USDA FoodKeeper. That time covers both homemade and prepared coleslaw. Keep it at 40°F (4°C) or below, like other cold perishable food.
Can you freeze potato salad?
No, USDA FoodKeeper doesn’t recommend freezing potato salad, so keep it in the fridge and eat it within 3 to 5 days. Make an amount you’ll finish in that time.
If your potato salad is made with mayonnaise, there’s another reason to skip the freezer. The USDA lists mayonnaise among foods that don’t freeze well. As it thaws, large ice crystals from slow freezing make it separate and look curdled.
Can you freeze pasta salad?
No, FoodKeeper doesn’t recommend freezing pasta salad either. It keeps 3 to 5 days in the fridge, the same as potato salad.
How to keep potato salad safe
Keep potato salad safe by storing it at 40°F (4°C) or below and never leaving it out for more than 2 hours. Above 90°F (32°C), the limit is 1 hour. Throw out potato salad, pasta salad, or coleslaw left out longer.
Bacteria grow most rapidly between 40°F (4°C) and 140°F (60°C), the range the USDA calls the Danger Zone. There, they can double in number in as little as 20 minutes.
The time starts when the salad leaves the refrigerator, so count serving time too. At a summer cookout above 90°F (32°C), plan on 1 hour, and put what’s left back in the fridge before then.
Frequently asked questions
How long can potato salad sit out?
Potato salad can sit out for 2 hours at most at room temperature, or 1 hour above 90°F (32°C). After that, throw it out.
Is potato salad still good after a week?
A week is past the USDA FoodKeeper time for potato salad, which is 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator.
How long does macaroni salad last in the fridge?
Macaroni salad lasts 3 to 5 days in the fridge on the USDA's refrigeration chart, which covers store-prepared or homemade salads.
Does prepared coleslaw last as long as homemade?
Yes, USDA FoodKeeper gives homemade and prepared coleslaw the same 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator.
What temperature should potato salad be kept at?
Keep potato salad at 40°F (4°C) or below, the USDA's limit for cold perishable food.
