How Long Can Pizza Last in the Fridge? Here’s What You Need to Know

Are you wondering how long can pizza last in the fridge?

Easy!

Pizza is consumable and can stay good in the fridge for four days from the date it is kept in the refrigerator at a temperature of 40 degrees F or lower.

For more information on how long can pizza last in the fridge, you can check what the Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA) says. 

So then, are there any specifics on what to do and how to determine how long pizza lasts in the fridge before you can eat it?

or can you keep the pizza in the fridge for a longer period?

You might be surprised by what the results can be if you follow our tips and advice.

So let’s find out!

How Long Can Pizza Stay in the Fridge?

Leftover pizza, if properly stored, can typically stay in the fridge for 3-4 days. To maximize its shelf life, wrap the pizza slices in aluminum foil or place them in airtight containers before refrigerating. This not only helps keep the pizza fresh but also prevents it from absorbing odors from other foods in the refrigerator.

However, it’s important to remember that the quality of the pizza can start to decline after a couple of days, even if it’s still safe to eat. To check if the pizza is still good, look for any signs of spoilage such as an off smell, mold, or a change in texture. If in doubt, it’s best to err on the side of caution and discard the pizza.

How Long Does Pizza Last in the Fridge Uncovered?

Would it surprise you that most people put the pizza back into their fridge that’s left uncovered?

If pizza is left uncovered in the fridge, it will likely start to dry out and lose its quality within a day or two, even though it might still be safe to eat. Covering the pizza, whether it’s in a sealable plastic bag, wrapped in aluminum foil, or placed in an airtight container, helps to maintain its freshness and prevent it from absorbing odors from other foods in your fridge.

For optimal flavor and texture, it’s best to consume leftover pizza within 3-4 days, and always ensure it’s covered when stored.

How Long Does Pizza Last in the Fridge Covered?

When properly stored and covered, leftover pizza can last in the fridge for about 3-4 days. Covering the pizza, whether it’s with plastic wrap, aluminum foil, or in an airtight container, helps to maintain its freshness by preventing it from drying out or absorbing odors from other foods in the refrigerator.

Despite being safe to eat within this time frame, the quality in terms of taste and texture might start to decline after a couple of days. It’s always a good idea to check the pizza for any signs of spoilage such as an off smell, mold, or a change in texture before eating. If in doubt, it’s best to err on the side of caution and discard the pizza.

Accordingly, it would be best if you want to place the leftover pizza in your fridge that is always covered. If you don’t, the length of time it will last is significantly reduced.

What Can I Use to Keep Pizza in the Fridge?

You can use many options to store leftover pizza and extend how long pizza last in your fridge. Using a little bit of creativity, you can get better results than others.

The whole point is that you want to preserve the life of your pizza as much as possible.

Lower temperatures aren’t the only reason pizza can be safely stored. Here are many ideal items that work great for any number of pizza slices your want to save.

Plastic Bags

This is your average open-end plastic sandwich bag or plastic bag that you tie off at the top.

You find these in every bargain store to store things like nuts or candy but make perfect bags to keep pizza inside.

It’s a disposable single-use bag that is perfectly fine for pizza stored for 1-2 days.

Ziplock Bag

No matter what brand you choose, Ziplock-style bags help remove air from inside them easier than open-end bags.

Pizza slices can slip inside, and the slide lock is slid to a nearly sealed position.

Then the air can be squeezed-out as best you can by using your hands. You can also try sucking out the air if you’re careful.

Here is the one we recommend, as you can also use them to freeze the pizza.

Storage Containers

Some great plastic containers have great air seals. You can place pizza slices inside and then seal the top.

If you have the kind that allows you to burp them, this helps a lot. One brand has an air pump that sucks out the air, making the interior a near-vacuum.

How long does pizza last in the fridge using aluminum foil?

Aluminum foil

Aluminum foil is a handy storage material that does a fine job wrapping pizza slices up quickly. It should always touch your pizza using the shiny side and have the dull side showing outside. Aluminum foil is suitable for a couple of days but not any longer.

When pizza is stored in the refrigerator using aluminum foil, pizza can typically last for about 3-4 days. Aluminum foil is effective at keeping the pizza slices fresh by preventing them from drying out or absorbing flavors from other foods in the fridge.

However, the pizza’s taste and texture might start to decline after a couple of days, even if it’s still safe to eat. Before consuming, always check for signs of spoilage, such as an off smell or visible mold. If you’re unsure, it’s safer to discard the pizza than risk foodborne illness.

How long does pizza last in the fridge using plastic wrap?

Plastic wrap

Sometimes called Saran or Cling wrap, this plastic foil can be wrapped around your pizza nicely and tight. It’s suitable for 1-3 days since it helps seal excess air. It’s not 100% perfect but excellent for fridge storage.

How long does pizza last in the fridge using a silicone bag?

Silicone Bag

This new product was initially intended for sandwich storage and has a 100% food-grade silicone liner.

It can also be reused for you and thrown into the dishwasher for cleaning. It’s essentially a reusable Ziplock bag. It will keep your pizza slices in your fridge for up to 4 days.

How long does pizza last in the fridge using a vacuum-sealed bag?

Vacuum Sealed Bag

There are unique vacuum seal bags that are one-time-use bags for vacuum sealers. This method is the best defense for getting out all the air in your pizza slice without smashing it. You can buy bulk vacuum seal bags if you like to freeze your pizza slices.

Here is What the PROs at Homemade Pizza Pro Use and Recommend

Individual Pizza Slices

We love these containers, the small ones are perfect for kids and small leftover slices.  While the jumbo container is perfect for bigger-sized slices, and you can stack more than one slice at a time.

Larger Leftover Pizza

When freezing pizza, we always go with the FoodSaver vacuum sealer.  We use it to freeze the dough and already-made pizzas, not to mention that it is even better for big leftover pizzas.

How Long Does Pizza Last in the Fridge?

This depends on the storage method you choose for your pizza.

It makes a big difference between the different materials. Remember that anything that sucks out the air will allow your pizza to last longer in the fridge.

But for the most part, you’ll want to know what the time limit recommended for storing in your fridge is.

How Long Can Pizza Last in the Fridge

Storage Method	Life Span	Comments
Standard Plastic Bag and Ziplock Bags	2 to 4 days	You can go up to 4 days if you keep it in the vegetable crisper section of your fridge.
Aluminum Foil	2 to 4 days	Keep in mind foil will allow air to get inside, which may increase the risk of going bad sooner.
Plastic Wrap	1 to 4 days	The fridge’s plastic wrap will help keep the air out, preventing spoilage. It also prevents moisture from getting inside.
Airtight Containers and Vacuum Bags	5 to 7 days	This method will give the most extended storage period as it completely seals the pizza from moisture and air.

How to Keep Pizza for a Longer Period in the Fridge

On average, pizza will last in the fridge for up to 4 days; if you want to keep it for longer, the best you can do is freeze it. 

By freezing the pizza, you can keep it for up to 2 months, and if it’s vacuum sealed, it can go for up to 4 months without losing its freshness.

Check our article on keeping pizza in the freezer for more information.

How to Reheat Pizza that has been in the Fridge?

Pizza stored in the fridge is different than frozen pizza. No crystallization’s happening, so you don’t have to crank up the oven so much.

Here are four methods that will give you the best results for reheating leftover pizza.

Oven Method

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and place your pizza slice onto a slice of aluminum foil on the lowest cooking rack.

Also, place the foil onto the edge of the crust so it will get nice and crispy.

It only takes about 8-10 minutes, but you want to keep an eye on the cheese as it can burn.

The second alternative is to use a cookie tray and put this on the lowest rung. Also, cover the crust with foil to bake out the moisture.

Toaster Oven

These portable toaster ovens are great for single slices, but if you have more than two racks inside, you could cook two at a time.

Set the temperature to 350F and cook it for 4 or 5 minutes, depending on your preference. Ta

e it out immediately when the cheese is getting nice and melted again.

This way, you don’t burn the crust either.

Microwave

We don’t recommend using the microwave, but this one method is foolproof if you have this item.

The bag that most microwave popcorn brands use is excellent for reheating pizza. As long as you are using unbuttered popcorn is excellent since this won’t have leftover butter inside it.

Place your pizza slice inside the bag and microwave for 3 to 4 minutes with the bag folded slightly.

It will absorb excess pizza dough moisture, making every slice taste as it came from the oven.

It also prevents toppings from popping and sizzling as it cooks from getting your microwave dirty.

Electric grill

Every kitchen has an electric grill intended to cook steaks and meats.

can include fold-over designs but are not limited to the open grill versions. Set the heat to at least 350 or the highest setting it goes.

Then place your pizza slices onto the grill. You don’t want the kind that presses down on your pizza, so use caution when using this method.

Open grills are the best since they heat from underneath.

Air Fryer

Air fryers are unique since they circulate hot air around a soggy pizza slice.

This gadget is excellent if you have pizza wrapped in plastic or a plastic bag for a couple of days.

It will come out tasting like an oven bakes pizza and has a nice and crisp crust again.

The moisture evenly encircles the pizza, allowing it to dry out and reheat much more evenly than you expected.

Cast-Iron Skillet

Many pizza fans love this age-old method for leftover pizza that’s gone limp or soggy. Because the cast-iron skillet gets so hot, it retains heat better for stovetop baking.

It only takes a couple of minutes to get excellent results on medium heat. If your pizza was dried out, you could add a few drops of water to the side of the skillet.

Cover with a one-minute lid so the steam brings it back to life. You won’t be sorry.

Here is Our Preferred Method for Reheating Pizza

The Last Slice

We hope that you now know how long pizza last in the fridge.

Aren’t you glad you have more reason to reheat leftover pizza in your fridge after reading this tip-filled guide?

We’ve spent enough time researching the best storage methods and reheating pizza, so you don’t need to guess yourself second.

We hope this gives you enough reason to make the best of leftover pizza anytime in the future.

Additional Resources

Enjoy!

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