Leftovers Storage Calculator
Freeze within a day or two of cooking and leftovers (cooked) keeps about 2 months — a great way to save a batch you can't finish in time.
Refrigerate leftovers within two hours of cooking and store them at 4°C / 40°F or below. Reheat thoroughly, and when in doubt, throw it out.
How to work out how long leftovers last
- 1Choose the kind of dish you cooked.
- 2Set the date you cooked it.
- 3See the fridge use-by date, and check the freezer option to save a batch for later.
Leftovers are only a saving if you eat them
Batch cooking and leftovers are two of the best ways to save time and money — as long as they don't become the mystery containers pushed to the back of the fridge. Knowing the realistic window for each dish means you can plan to eat it, or freeze it before it turns.
Cooked more than you can eat this week? Check the Can You Freeze It? tool and the Freezer Storage Time Chart to stash it safely.
Give every batch a reminder
PantryKit is made for exactly this: log a batch as a leftover, and it dates it, sorts it to the top as the deadline nears, and nudges you before it's past its best. Your Sunday cooking actually becomes this week's dinners.
Frequently asked questions
How long do leftovers last in the fridge?
Most cooked dishes keep for 3-4 days refrigerated at 4°C / 40°F or below. Rice and some seafood are best eaten sooner. Pick your dish above for a specific date.
How long can you keep leftovers in the freezer?
Frozen leftovers stay best-quality for roughly 1-3 months, and safe for longer. Freeze them within a day or two of cooking rather than at the end of their fridge life.
Is it safe to reheat rice?
Yes, if it's handled right. Cool cooked rice quickly, refrigerate within an hour or so, use it within a day or two, and reheat it until piping hot — only once.
Should I cool leftovers before refrigerating?
Refrigerate within two hours of cooking. You don't need to wait until fully cold — just avoid putting large, steaming containers straight in. Splitting food into shallow containers helps it cool faster.
Related tools
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Free to start · iPhone · Works fully offline