Most cooked leftovers keep for up to 2 days in the fridge. Cool them within 1–2 hours of cooking, store in airtight containers, and reheat once until piping hot. Cooked rice and seafood are best eaten within 1 day.
Knowing how long leftovers keep is one of those everyday food-safety questions worth getting right. As a general rule, most cooked leftovers are good for up to 2 days in the fridge — but a couple of things, notably cooked rice and seafood, are best eaten within a day.
The rules that keep leftovers safe
Speed of cooling matters most: get food into the fridge within an hour or two, because bacteria multiply fastest while it sits warm. Store it airtight, keep your fridge below 5°C, and when you come to eat it, reheat only once and make sure it’s piping hot all the way through. If anything smells sour, looks slimy or has any mould, don’t risk it.
How to store it
- Cool leftovers quickly — within 1–2 hours — before they go in the fridge.
- Store in airtight containers to keep them fresh and stop cross-contamination.
- Keep the fridge below 5°C, and store raw meat below cooked food.
- Don't put large amounts of steaming-hot food straight in; divide it up to cool faster.
How long it keeps
Up to 2 days for most cooked leftovers; cooked rice and seafood within 1 day.
Signs it has gone off
- A sour, off or unusual smell
- A slimy or sticky surface
- Any mould or change in colour
Food safety: Cool within 1–2 hours and refrigerate promptly; bacteria multiply fastest between 5°C and 63°C. Reheat leftovers only once, until piping hot (75°C) throughout. When in doubt, throw it out — don't rely on smell alone.