Is pizza OK after 5 days?

Pizza that has been refrigerated for less than 5 days is generally safe to eat if handled properly. However, there are a few factors to consider when determining if leftover pizza is still good after several days in the fridge.

How long does pizza last in the fridge?

Properly stored, uneaten pizza will usually last 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator before the quality starts to decline. The ingredients that go into pizza such as cheese, crust, meat toppings, and vegetables have varying shelf lives. This means homemade or delivery pizza doesn’t all spoil at the same rate when refrigerated.

Here are some general guidelines for how long different pizza ingredients last in the fridge:

Pizza Ingredient Refrigerator Life
Fresh pizza dough 1 to 2 days
Cooked pizza crust 3 to 4 days
Pizza sauce 5 to 7 days
Cooked meat toppings 3 to 4 days
Cheese 1 week
Vegetables 3 to 5 days

As you can see, cheese tends to last the longest in the fridge compared to other pizza toppings and the crust itself. The vegetables and meat spoil most quickly.

Signs pizza has gone bad

After 3 or 4 days in the fridge, leftover pizza may develop signs that it is past its prime and should be discarded. Here are some things to look for when checking older refrigerated pizza:

  • Dry, cracked crust
  • Moldy cheese or vegetable toppings
  • Discolored, slimy, dried out toppings
  • Off smells like sourness or ammonia
  • Weird tastes that weren’t present originally

Generally, your senses will let you know if refrigerated pizza has spoiled beyond the point of safe consumption. If anything seems “off” about the pizza’s texture, appearance, smell or taste compared to when you first stored it, it’s best to throw it out.

What temperature to store pizza

To help pizza last as long as possible in the refrigerator, store it at the right temperature. The fridge should be set to 40°F (4°C) or below. At this temperature, the pizza ingredients will stay safely chilled to slow spoilage.

Make sure to check the temperature settings on your refrigerator. If it can’t maintain a temperature of 40°F or under, your refrigerator may not keep the pizza (or other foods) cold enough to last more than 3 or 4 days.

Storing pizza properly

In addition to temperature, the way you store the pizza also impacts its shelf life. Here are some storage tips to maximize leftover pizza’s fridge life:

  • Let the pizza cool to room temperature before refrigerating. Putting hot food directly in the fridge can raise the temperature inside and put other foods at risk.
  • Never leave the pizza out on the counter for more than 2 hours before refrigerating.
  • Wrap tightly in plastic wrap, aluminum foil, or place in an airtight storage container.
  • Make sure the pizza is wrapped or contained so that it’s not exposed to air.
  • Don’t let the pizza touch other foods during storage, especially raw meat which can contaminate it.

Following these guidelines creates a colder, more contained environment for the pizza that can help extend the time it stays safe by a day or two.

Can you reheat 5-day old pizza?

Pizza that has been lingering in the fridge for 5 days can potentially be reheated and eaten as long as it hasn’t developed any signs of spoilage. However, the pizza won’t be nearly as tasty or texturally appealing after that long in the fridge.

Here are some tips for safely reheating and serving old pizza:

  • Inspect the pizza thoroughly and look and smell for spoilage before reheating.
  • Discard any pizza that seems overly dried out, slimy, or has mold.
  • Reheat pizza thoroughly to 165°F. Eating cold old pizza raises risk of illness.
  • Pizza can be reheated in the oven or microwave but may end up rubbery in texture.
  • Consider adding extra ingredients like spices, cheese, or oil to improve flavor.
  • If reheated pizza still seems unappetizing, it’s safest to throw it out.

There’s still a chance 5-day old pizza stored properly in the fridge will be safe to eat. But it likely won’t be nearly as tasty or satisfying as fresh pizza. You’ll have to decide if it’s worth the risk.

Food safety with old pizza

Again, according to food safety guidelines, pizza that’s been continually refrigerated for less than 5 days should still be safe to eat for most people if it shows no overt signs of spoilage. However, there are some food safety risks to keep in mind:

  • The longer pizza sits in the fridge, the greater the risk bacteria like E. coli or Staphylococcus aureus can multiply to dangerous levels that could cause food poisoning. Properly refrigerating the pizza reduces this risk.
  • Mold can grow on old pizza from moisture evaporation in the fridge, posing health risks if eaten.
  • Pizza not stored in a cold enough fridge or left too long at room temperature provides opportunities for bacteria to rapidly multiply.
  • People with compromised immune systems have greater risk of getting sick from foodborne pathogens. They should avoid eating older leftover pizza.

If you have any doubts about the safety of old refrigerated pizza based on its appearance, smell, or taste—or if you have a weaker immune system—you should discard it rather than risk food poisoning.

Does pizza need to be microwaved?

Microwaving leftover pizza can help destroy potentially harmful bacteria that may have grown during refrigerated storage. However, microwaving is not always necessary for safety with refrigerator-stored pizza.

Here are some microwaving considerations for leftover pizza:

  • Microwaving pizza to an internal temperature of 165°F kills most dangerous bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella.
  • Cold pizza straight from the fridge doesn’t necessarily have to be microwaved. The chill of the fridge inhibits bacteria growth.
  • Microwaving pizza that’s been left out at room temperature for longer than 2 hours is recommended to reduce bacteria growth.
  • Microwaving pizza more than 5 days old can provide an extra safety precaution against foodborne illness.
  • The pizza may end up soggy in texture if microwaved too long.

Ultimately, microwaving 5-day old leftover pizza is optional for safety. But if the texture seems overly soft or soggy after reheating in the microwave, it’s best not to eat it.

Is thawed frozen pizza safe after 5 days?

Whether or not frozen pizza is still good after 5 days in the fridge depends on when it was thawed:

  • Thawed less than 5 days ago – Safe to eat if thoroughly reheated to 165°F.
  • Thawed more than 5 days ago – At higher risk of bacterial growth and spoilage. Best not to eat.
  • Partially thawed then refrozen – Don’t eat it. Bacteria introduced during partial thaw may not be killed by refreezing.

The sell-by date on frozen pizza refers to the safety of eating it while still continuously frozen. All bets are off once frozen pizza starts to thaw. It should be treated like fresh refrigerated pizza and discarded after 3-5 days.

Who should avoid eating old pizza?

Certain groups are at higher risk of getting sick from eating older leftover pizza and should avoid it if refrigerator-stored for 5 days or more. These higher-risk groups include:

  • Children
  • The elderly
  • Pregnant women
  • Those with compromised immune systems
  • Anyone suffering from a chronic disease

People in these groups are more vulnerable to foodborne illness from bacteria that can grow on refrigerated foods over time. They would be better off sticking to freshly prepared foods whenever possible.

Improving leftover pizza taste

Pizza that’s lingered in the fridge for several days inevitably suffers some loss of tastiness and texture. But there are tricks you can try to make 5-day old leftover pizza more palatable if you want to avoid food waste:

  • Sprinkle freshly grated parmesan or mozzarella over the reheated pizza for a flavor boost.
  • Drizzle with olive oil to add richness.
  • Add fresh herbs like oregano, basil, or parsley to freshen up the taste.
  • Top with hot peppers or other spicy toppings to mask off-flavors.
  • Dip the crust in garlic butter or sauce for more flavor.

With creative use of extras and tweaking reheating techniques, it may be possible to salvage pizza that’s over the hill from sitting too long in the fridge.

Is refrigerated pizza safe after 5 days for dogs?

Some pet owners may wonder if it’s safe to feed leftover pizza to their dog after 5 days in the fridge. Here are a few considerations on leftover pizza for dogs:

  • Dogs are more resistant to food poisoning from bacteria like E. coli compared to humans.
  • However, dogs can still get sick from spoiled foods, so rancid pizza after 5 days could cause vomiting or diarrhea.
  • Fatty, salty, spicy or processed toppings like pepperoni are harder for dogs to digest.
  • Cooked plain pizza crust or simple veggie toppings are safer pizza leftovers for dogs after 5 days than meat or greasy toppings.
  • Monitor your dog closely if feeding old pizza and stop if any signs of upset stomach, vomiting or other trouble.

Use your best judgment based on your dog’s tolerance and how the old pizza was stored. When in doubt, toss it out and stick to fresher leftovers or dog food for their safety.

Conclusion

Pizza that’s been properly refrigerated for less than 5 days is generally still safe to eat for most people. However, the risk of bacterial growth, spoilage, and foodborne illness goes up the longer pizza sits in the fridge, especially once it’s over 3-4 days old. Microwaving old pizza and adding fresh ingredients can slightly extend its shelf life, but the taste and texture will decline. Those more vulnerable to illness should avoid leftover pizza refrigerated for over 4-5 days to be cautious.

Use your eyes, nose, and common sense when evaluating older leftover pizza. And remember: when in doubt, just throw it out. The most surefire way to avoid food poisoning is to stick to freshly prepared foods whenever possible.

Leave a Comment