That Kung Pao Chicken you ordered for dinner last night was delicious, but you didn’t finish it all and stuck the rest in your refrigerator. You consider having it for lunch a couple of days later, but is it still good?
How long does Chinese food last in the fridge? Let’s look at how long you can safely keep your Chinese takeout in the fridge, how to store it properly, and when to throw it out.
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How long does Chinese food last in the fridge?
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), leftovers stored in your refrigerator can last about three to four days. This is a general rule for Chinese food and any other leftovers you may have.
What’s more important than how many days that food has been in the fridge is how long it sat unrefrigerated and what the internal temperature is of the food, especially when it comes to meat.
According to Food Safety News, you should never leave perishable food out at room temperature for more than two hours, regardless if its leftovers or food you just cooked. If you live somewhere where the temperature is over 90 degrees, you can only leave food out for one hour. So if you ordered food for a party and it sat out a while, you should probably pitch it instead of putting it in the fridge.
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You should also avoid eating food that is stored below 140 degrees. According to the USDA, bacteria are most likely to thrive in food between 40 and 140 degrees.
If you happen to eat leftovers contaminated by bacteria, the best-case scenario is that you get really sick.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that about 3,000 people in the U.S. die due to food poisoning. For one unfortunate college student, eating contaminated leftover lo mein caused him to lose his fingers and legs due to sepsis brought on by the contaminated food, the New York Post reported in 2022.
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Can you freeze leftover Chinese food?
Yes, you can freeze leftover Chinese food. That’s probably the smart thing to do if you know you won’t be eating it within three to four days. Foods Guy blogger Jaron Tietsort recommends freezing leftover Chinese food as soon as possible. It should keep well in the freezer for up to three months, Tietsort said.
How should you store leftover Chinese food in the fridge?
When storing leftover Chinese food in your fridge, you should avoid leaving it in takeout containers. Instead, leftovers should be stored in airtight containers, per Chinese Foods Recipe. “Cartons or styrofoam trays will allow air flow into the food, increasing bacteria growth, and also making the food stale over time,” the outlet explained.
Leftovers are delicious, just be sure that you take the necessary precautions to ensure you don't make yourself sick.
This article, originally published on Dec. 1, 2023, has been updated.
As with any food you keep in the fridge, first- make sure its in a sealed container to guarantee the freshness. I like eating leftovers but you shouldn't keep them too long in a fridge. I recommend leaving it for 1-2 days only and if it's in there any longer, throw it out!
As with any food you keep in the fridge, first- make sure its in a sealed container to guarantee the freshness. I like eating leftovers but you shouldn't keep them too long in a fridge. I recommend leaving it for 1-2 days only and if it's in there any longer, throw it out!
Leftovers can be kept for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. After that, the risk of food poisoning goes up. If you don't think you'll be able to eat leftovers within four days, freeze them right away. Frozen leftovers will stay safe for a long time.
Chinese leftovers should last between three to four days in the fridge, according to PreparedCooks. However, certain ingredients could last in different longevities. Shrimp, for example, has a short shelf life. This means that it might not last as long in the fridge.
The waxed interior of the folded paper box works similar to the original oyster pail. It allows liquids and moisture to stay in, and can unfold to become an eating plate. In addition, the paper pail container is cost-effective and easy to carry!
If a takeout container cannot be sealed or closed properly, then it may leak or spill in the fridge. It is also more likely to become contaminated. It may be easier and safer to transfer takeout food to your own plastic, reusable containers. Consider doing this to all the leftovers.
As long as you store it well and reheat properly it's as safe as any other leftovers. Reheating Chinese takeaway is fine as long as it has not been out of the refrig too long. But any food that is left out too long is dangerous to eat!
Freeze any food you might not eat within the next week.
The fridge life for most cooked food falls between three days and a week. However, leftovers and takeout can last months if properly stored in the freezer.
If you reheat food that was forgotten on the counter overnight or was left out all day, will it be safe to eat? TWO HOURS is the MAXIMUM time perishable foods should be at room temperature (ONE HOUR at temperatures 90 degrees F and higher). This INCLUDES the time they're on the table during your meal.
Have you ever eaten Chinese food with one-half the plate being rice then wondered why you were hungry two hours later? That's because your body converts the high glycemic food to sugar, which quickly depletes the energy from your bloodstream. Most of us experience the lethargy from this effect.
There are a few things to consider when deciding whether or not to eat cold Chinese food. First, it is important to think about how the food was stored. If the food was stored properly, then it is likely safe to eat. However, if the food was not stored properly, then it may not be safe to eat.
Many entrées at Chinese restaurants are battered and deep fried, and should be avoided, as they're high in added fat, starch, and calories. Others may be water-velveted, or coated in cornstarch, to provide the smooth, velvety texture of the meat in many stir-fries.
Some Chinese restaurant owners are thrifty and don't want to pay the 3 to 5% credit card fees that are charged to the merchant. Many are family owned and run businesses and run on tight margins. Credit card fees come right out of their pockets.
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