Can you eat pizza left out overnight? It's one of the most common questions we hear from pizza lovers here at Hungry Howie's®. It happens to all of us. We order a large pizza with every intention of finishing it for dinner, but it just doesn't happen. Then, we wake up the next morning to find that we've forgotten to put the leftovers in the fridge and they have been on the counter all night. But those slices still look oh-so-tempting and delicious, and we can't help wanting to eat them. So, can you eat pizza left out overnight or is it dangerous? We're here to provide you with the answer.
Can You Eat Pizza Left Out Overnight?
Unfortunately, as mouthwatering as those leftover slices may look in the morning if you accidentally leave pizza out on the counter overnight it's best to throw it away. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), bacteria begin to accumulate on food after being left at room temperature for just two hours. To avoid bacteria accumulation, food must be kept in a strict temperature-controlled environment. It must be either over or under a certain temperature at all times.
What that means is that the pie you left out overnight has spent hours gathering bacteria. While you can't see these bacteria with the naked eye, they are there nonetheless. When you consume pizza that has been sitting on the counter overnight, you consume the bacteria that's been growing on it too. This increases your chance of contracting a foodborne illness–or getting what many people commonly refer to as food poisoning.
While the effects are not likely to cause serious lasting illness, consuming food that has accumulated dangerous bacteria can certainly cause unpleasant side effects. These include nausea, vomiting, and other gastrointestinal issues. Eating that left out leftover slice could keep you in bed for the day, something that nobody wants.
What to Do with Leftover Pizza
Instead of leaving pizza out on the counter overnight, when you package and store it properly leftover pizza can actually last in the fridge for up to four days. This is a much better alternative to having to toss last night's slices. Then, you can reheat pizza either in the oven or microwave–whatever your method of choice.
If you find yourself staring at a few leftover slices of pizza, asking yourself "can you eat pizza left out overnight?" it's time to start eying the refrigerator instead. You can either wrap your leftover pizza in plastic wrap and aluminum foil and store it at a temperature below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, or place it in an airtight storage container or Tupperware to store in the fridge. You can even freeze those leftover slices using the same method, which will keep them good for up to three months. That leftover pizza doesn't have to go to waste!
Reheating Your Leftover Pizza
Can you eat pizza left out overnight if you reheat it? This is another common question we hear, as many people believe that returning the food to a proper temperature will kill off any bacteria that has accumulated. Unfortunately, this isn't always the case, and reheating pizza left out overnight may still pose a medical risk. It's best to throw the pizza away if you realize that you have left it out overnight.
However, if you have leftover slices waiting for you in the fridge or freezer, you're in luck. Reheating cold pizza is simple, takes just a few minutes, and is perfectly safe. If your slices are frozen, you'll need the defrost them in the refrigerator before reheating for the best results–this can take 8-12 hours. If your slices are straight out of the fridge, simply pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, place the individual slices on a baking sheet, and pop them in the oven to ten to fifteen minutes.
It's also important to note that even if your leftover slices fall within the timeframe deemed "safe" to eat them, there are signs that you should throw them away regardless. If you notice that the pizza has any green mold or discoloration, or if it has a strong odor, toss it right away.
Order a Fresh Pie for Delivery or Carry Out
Can you eat pizza left out overnight? Science says no, it's best to throw it away and grab a fresh pie if you're still in the mood for pizza. Order now and get fast, affordable pizzadelivery or carry-out from Hungry Howie's® today to satisfy that pizza craving. You can order online for delivery or give us a call. If you're in the neighborhood stop on by to grab your order in-person, or request delivery and we'll bring your delicious fresh pie straight to your door.
FAQs
The USDA reports that bacteria can start taking over your leftovers in as little as 20 minutes. And after two hours, it's deemed unsafe to eat left-out pizza at all.
Is it safe to eat pizza that was left out overnight? ›
You may have gotten away with eating pizza that sat out in the past without consequences, but that doesn't mean you'll be unscathed next time. So, if it sat out overnight, toss that pizza in the trash or compost bin, and spare yourself the risk of foodborne illness.
Is 2 day old pizza ok to eat? ›
The USDA's food safety guidelines state that leftover pizza will last in the refrigerator for up to four days — provided the two-hour rule was followed beforehand. To properly refrigerate your leftover pizza, wrap it tightly in foil or plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container.
Is it safe to eat food that was left out overnight? ›
Eating food left out overnight is a food safety no-no. No exceptions. So, please make your personal pledge today to NEVER eat it. Even if you're in the habit of doing this and haven't gotten sick yet, it's better to be safe than to take the risk and become terribly ill or lose your life to foodborne illness.
Is it okay to eat a pizza one day out of date? ›
As long as it's been stored in the fridge it'll be fine. Smell it when you unwrap it, but honestly we eat pizza a lot older than that. Yes, would still eat it. As long as it doesn't have any visible mould on the pizza base or cheese (which is highly unlikely at just 2 days past best before date), then it will be fine.
How to tell if pizza is bad? ›
Wondering how to tell whether your leftover pizza has gone bad? Look for mold or any other odd appearance. If you smell something off or it tastes weird, discard it to be safe.
Can you eat cheese left out overnight? ›
The type of cheese is the biggest consideration - hard cheese will last longer and is less likely to pose a health risk, while soft and fresh cheeses should remain refrigerated and only be left out for two hours at most. No matter the cheese, leaving it out for more than two hours may change the quality and taste.
Is reheating pizza safe? ›
It's safe to reheat pizza the next day, as long as you're heating to a temperature that would kill any bacteria off. An oven, air fryer, frying pan, and microwave are all viable options, but some methods work better than others. So don't just whack your pizza in there and hope for the best!
How to store pizza overnight? ›
The best way is to stack and wrap: Place a single layer of slices on a dinner plate, top with a layer of wax, freezer, foil or parchment paper. Keep stacking, alternating pizza and paper, until all the pizza's on the plate. Wrap the whole thing tightly up in plastic wrap, and place it in the refrigerator. That's it!
How long does food poisoning take to kick in? ›
The shortest can be from 30 minutes after eating; the longest may only show symptoms a week or more after eating. If you suspect you have food poisoning, it is recommended that you seek diagnosis from a doctor. The most common symptoms of food poisoning are nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and diarrhea.
Anything perishable should go into the fridge within two hours. If perishables are sitting in temperatures of more than 90 degrees, the time limit to get them into the fridge goes down to one hour. Examples include leftovers, boiled or fried rice, pasta salad, cut fruit, and poultry, meat and seafood.
Can you eat lasagna that was left out overnight? ›
Perishable food items, including lasagna, which lack preservation methods like high levels of acid or sugar, should not be exposed to the danger zone of 40-140 degrees Fahrenheit for longer than 2 hours to ensure food safety.
Can I eat pizza that's been left out all night? ›
The USDA reports that bacteria can start taking over your leftovers in as little as 20 minutes. And after two hours, it's deemed unsafe to eat left-out pizza at all. In mild to moderate cases, getting food-borne illnesses from room temperature food means stomach pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and fever.
Can you eat leftover pizza after 1 day? ›
(WTVO) — If you're eyeing that week-old pizza in the fridge and wondering if it's safe to eat it, you might want to think twice. According to the USDA, if the pizza has been refrigerated at a temperature below 40 degrees, its only safe to eat for up to 4 days.
Can I eat a ready meal 1 day out of date? ›
FSA guidance on use-by dates
never eat food after the use-by date, even if it looks and smells ok. it is safe to eat food until midnight on the use-by date shown on a product, but not after, unless the food has been cooked or frozen.
Is pasta still good if you leave it out overnight? ›
Anything perishable should go into the fridge within two hours. If perishables are sitting in temperatures of more than 90 degrees, the time limit to get them into the fridge goes down to one hour. Examples include leftovers, boiled or fried rice, pasta salad, cut fruit, and poultry, meat and seafood.
Can I use pizza dough that was left out overnight? ›
If you are planning to use your pizza dough soon, you can store it at room temperature for about four hours. Any longer than that and you will want to keep it in the fridge to avoid over-fermentation.
How long does pizza last in the box? ›
Pizza that is delivered and still in the box or delivery bag should remain safe to eat for 2 hours at room temperature. This is because bacteria start to grow when food temperatures reach 40°F (4°C). If you plan on eating your pizza after two hours, it's best to place it in the fridge for storage.
How long does pepperoni last unrefrigerated? ›
Hard or dry sausage (such as pepperoni and Genoa salami), whole and unopened, can be stored indefinitely in the refrigerator or up to 6 weeks in the pantry. After opening, refrigerate for up to 3 weeks. Hard or dry sausages will not have the phrase "Keep refrigerated" printed on the package.
