Here's How Long It's Still Safe To Eat Leftover Pizza
If you want to save your favorite pizza for more than a few days — or you simply ordered too much to finish in one sitting — storing slices in the freezer can help them last longer. According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, leftover pizza that is kept frozen will maintain its quality for around one to two months. It notes, however, that foods kept at zero degrees Fahrenheit or below are safe to eat indefinitely, as long as you don't mind a little dryness or freezer burn.
Good Housekeeping suggests only placing leftover foods in the freezer once they've completely cooled. Additionally, it recommends labeling your pizza with the date to help you keep track of how long it's been stored.
To package up your slices correctly, wrap them in aluminum foil or plastic wrap before sliding them into a sealable freezer bag, per Good Cheap Eats. Once you're ready to eat, reheat your pizza in the oven, air fryer, or on the stove until the crust turns crispy and the toppings are fully cooked. Alternatively, Does It Go Bad? recommends thawing frozen slices in the refrigerator overnight and cooking them in the oven afterward for best quality.
How to know when leftover pizza has gone bad
As a general rule of thumb, it's best to throw out pizza that's been kept in the refrigerator for more than a few days or in the freezer for more than a few months. Besides following these guidelines, there are some tell-tale signs of a pie gone bad.
Healthline shares some marks of spoilage that indicate food is no longer safe for consumption. These include mold growth, sliminess, a rancid smell, and any discoloration or change in texture. If you take a bite and notice an unusual or unpleasant taste, spit it out and throw away the rest to avoid food poisoning.
For leftover pizza specifically, Does It Go Bad? suggests scanning the toppings for any changes in appearance. For example, just one meat or vegetable topping may seem off, but this could be enough to make you sick. Also, notice if any foul odors are coming from the slices — keep in mind that pizza that is not sealed well might pick up the smells of other foods stored nearby.
Finally, pizza may grow stale in the refrigerator before the four-day mark, especially if it wasn't kept in an airtight container. This is normal and doesn't indicate spoilage, though it might make your pizza pie a little less appetizing.