Leftover Shelf Life Calculator

Avoid food poisoning — know when cooked food should be eaten or thrown out.

TL;DR: Enter the food type and date cooked to get a recommended use-by date. Most cooked leftovers last 3–4 days refrigerated.

Last updated: June 18, 2026

Calculator

Leftover type

Date cooked

FDA recommends refrigerating leftovers within 2 hours and consuming most within 3–4 days. When in doubt, throw it out.

Most cooked leftovers are safe for 3–4 days when stored at 40°F or below.

Yes — KitchenPal lets you track leftovers in your fridge and freezer inventory.

The official KitchenPal app helps you manage pantry inventory, expiry dates, meal plans, and grocery lists.