The short answer
In the fridge, these 9 foods last from 3 days (chinese takeout) to 4 days (chinese takeout). The chart compares counter, fridge and freezer; each food has its own section below with how to store it, whether it freezes and what to do after a night on the counter.
Side by side
How long do cooked meat leftovers last in the pantry, fridge and freezer?
| Food | Counter | Fridge | Freezer |
|---|---|---|---|
 Chinese takeout | 2 hours | 3–4 days | 2–3 months |
 Cooked beef | 2 hours | 3–4 days | 2–3 months |
 Cooked pork | 2 hours | 3–4 days | 2–3 months |
 Cooked steak | 2 hours | 3–4 days | 2–3 months |
 Leftovers with meat | 2 hours | 3–4 days | 2–3 months |
 Meatloaf | 2 hours | 3–4 days | 2–3 months |
 Roast beef | 2 hours | 3–4 days | 2–3 months |
 Stir-fry | 2 hours | 3–4 days | 2–3 months |
 Taco meat | 2 hours | 3–4 days | 2–3 months |
How long does chinese takeout last?
Chinese takeout lasts 3–4 days in the refrigerator, 2–3 months frozen, and only 2 hours out of the fridge.
| Where | Counter | Fridge | Freezer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chinese takeout | 2 hours | 3–4 days | 2–3 months |
- Can you freeze chinese takeout? Yes — it freezes well. Held at 0°F / -18°C, it keeps its best quality for roughly 2–3 months. Food that stays frozen remains safe indefinitely; only the quality slips over time.
- Left out overnight? Discard. Chinese takeout kept out at room temperature beyond 2 hours (just 1 hour once the room tops 90°F / 32°C) should go in the trash. Bacteria grow fastest anywhere from 40°F to 140°F, and some of the toxins they leave behind survive reheating.
How long does cooked beef last?
Cooked beef lasts 3–4 days in the refrigerator, 2–3 months frozen, and only 2 hours out of the fridge.
| Where | Counter | Fridge | Freezer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cooked beef | 2 hours | 3–4 days | 2–3 months |
- Can you freeze cooked beef? Yes — it freezes well. Held at 0°F / -18°C, it keeps its best quality for roughly 2–3 months. Food that stays frozen remains safe indefinitely; only the quality slips over time.
- Left out overnight? Discard. Cooked beef kept out at room temperature beyond 2 hours (just 1 hour once the room tops 90°F / 32°C) should go in the trash. Bacteria grow fastest anywhere from 40°F to 140°F, and some of the toxins they leave behind survive reheating.
How long does cooked pork last?
Cooked pork lasts 3–4 days in the refrigerator, 2–3 months frozen, and only 2 hours out of the fridge.
| Where | Counter | Fridge | Freezer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cooked pork | 2 hours | 3–4 days | 2–3 months |
- Can you freeze cooked pork? Yes — it freezes well. Held at 0°F / -18°C, it keeps its best quality for roughly 2–3 months. Food that stays frozen remains safe indefinitely; only the quality slips over time.
- Left out overnight? Discard. Cooked pork kept out at room temperature beyond 2 hours (just 1 hour once the room tops 90°F / 32°C) should go in the trash. Bacteria grow fastest anywhere from 40°F to 140°F, and some of the toxins they leave behind survive reheating.
How long does cooked steak last?
Cooked steak lasts 3–4 days in the refrigerator, 2–3 months frozen, and only 2 hours out of the fridge.
| Where | Counter | Fridge | Freezer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cooked steak | 2 hours | 3–4 days | 2–3 months |
- Can you freeze cooked steak? Yes — it freezes well. Held at 0°F / -18°C, it keeps its best quality for roughly 2–3 months. Food that stays frozen remains safe indefinitely; only the quality slips over time.
- Left out overnight? Discard. Cooked steak kept out at room temperature beyond 2 hours (just 1 hour once the room tops 90°F / 32°C) should go in the trash. Bacteria grow fastest anywhere from 40°F to 140°F, and some of the toxins they leave behind survive reheating.
How long do leftovers with meat last?
Leftovers with meat last 3–4 days in the refrigerator, 2–3 months frozen, and only 2 hours out of the fridge.
| Where | Counter | Fridge | Freezer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leftovers with meat | 2 hours | 3–4 days | 2–3 months |
- Can you freeze leftovers with meat? Yes — it freezes well. Held at 0°F / -18°C, it keeps its best quality for roughly 2–3 months. Food that stays frozen remains safe indefinitely; only the quality slips over time.
- Left out overnight? Discard. Leftovers with meat kept out at room temperature beyond 2 hours (just 1 hour once the room tops 90°F / 32°C) should go in the trash. Bacteria grow fastest anywhere from 40°F to 140°F, and some of the toxins they leave behind survive reheating.
How long does meatloaf last?
Meatloaf lasts 3–4 days in the refrigerator, 2–3 months frozen, and only 2 hours out of the fridge.
| Where | Counter | Fridge | Freezer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meatloaf | 2 hours | 3–4 days | 2–3 months |
- Can you freeze meatloaf? Yes — it freezes well. Held at 0°F / -18°C, it keeps its best quality for roughly 2–3 months. Food that stays frozen remains safe indefinitely; only the quality slips over time.
- Left out overnight? Discard. Meatloaf kept out at room temperature beyond 2 hours (just 1 hour once the room tops 90°F / 32°C) should go in the trash. Bacteria grow fastest anywhere from 40°F to 140°F, and some of the toxins they leave behind survive reheating.
How long does roast beef last?
Roast beef lasts 3–4 days in the refrigerator, 2–3 months frozen, and only 2 hours out of the fridge.
| Where | Counter | Fridge | Freezer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roast beef | 2 hours | 3–4 days | 2–3 months |
- Can you freeze roast beef? Yes — it freezes well. Held at 0°F / -18°C, it keeps its best quality for roughly 2–3 months. Food that stays frozen remains safe indefinitely; only the quality slips over time.
- Left out overnight? Discard. Roast beef kept out at room temperature beyond 2 hours (just 1 hour once the room tops 90°F / 32°C) should go in the trash. Bacteria grow fastest anywhere from 40°F to 140°F, and some of the toxins they leave behind survive reheating.
How long does stir-fry last?
Stir-fry lasts 3–4 days in the refrigerator, 2–3 months frozen, and only 2 hours out of the fridge.
| Where | Counter | Fridge | Freezer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stir-fry | 2 hours | 3–4 days | 2–3 months |
- Can you freeze stir-fry? Yes — it freezes well. Held at 0°F / -18°C, it keeps its best quality for roughly 2–3 months. Food that stays frozen remains safe indefinitely; only the quality slips over time.
- Left out overnight? Discard. Stir-fry kept out at room temperature beyond 2 hours (just 1 hour once the room tops 90°F / 32°C) should go in the trash. Bacteria grow fastest anywhere from 40°F to 140°F, and some of the toxins they leave behind survive reheating.
How long does taco meat last?
Taco meat lasts 3–4 days in the refrigerator, 2–3 months frozen, and only 2 hours out of the fridge.
| Where | Counter | Fridge | Freezer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taco meat | 2 hours | 3–4 days | 2–3 months |
- Can you freeze taco meat? Yes — it freezes well. Held at 0°F / -18°C, it keeps its best quality for roughly 2–3 months. Food that stays frozen remains safe indefinitely; only the quality slips over time.
- Left out overnight? Discard. Taco meat kept out at room temperature beyond 2 hours (just 1 hour once the room tops 90°F / 32°C) should go in the trash. Bacteria grow fastest anywhere from 40°F to 140°F, and some of the toxins they leave behind survive reheating.
Before you take a bite
How can you tell if cooked meat leftovers have gone bad?
- Odor: A sour, yeasty or just plain wrong smell compared with how the dish smelled when fresh.
- Texture: A slimy coating, or liquid pooling and separating where the dish should be smooth.
- Color: Patches that have gone dark or dull, or spots of any unusual color.
- Mold: Fuzz of any kind means the entire container goes in the trash, not only the visible patch.
Storage tips
How should you store cooked meat leftovers?
- Move it into shallow, airtight containers and get it into the fridge no more than 2 hours after cooking (only 1 hour when it is above 90°F).
- Set the fridge to 40°F (4°C) or colder; shelves in the door are the warmest part.
- Bring leftovers back to 165°F (74°C) when you reheat them, and warm only the amount you plan to eat.
Freezer
How do you freeze cooked meat leftovers?
- Chill it fast in shallow containers; it should reach the fridge or freezer no more than 2 hours after cooking.
- Divide it among airtight tubs or freezer bags, leave space at the top for any liquid, and write the date on each one.
- Defrost it in the fridge, then reheat until it is steaming and reaches 165°F (74°C).
Reader questions
Cooked meat leftovers: frequently asked questions
How long does chinese takeout last in the fridge?
Chinese takeout lasts 3–4 days when refrigerated at 40°F (4°C) or colder. That figure comes from USDA FoodKeeper.
How long does cooked beef last in the fridge?
Cooked beef lasts 3–4 days when refrigerated at 40°F (4°C) or colder. That figure comes from USDA FoodKeeper.
How long does cooked pork last in the fridge?
Cooked pork lasts 3–4 days when refrigerated at 40°F (4°C) or colder. That figure comes from USDA FoodKeeper.
How long does cooked steak last in the fridge?
Cooked steak lasts 3–4 days when refrigerated at 40°F (4°C) or colder. That figure comes from USDA FoodKeeper.
How long do leftovers with meat last in the fridge?
Leftovers with meat last 3–4 days when refrigerated at 40°F (4°C) or colder. That figure comes from USDA FoodKeeper.
How long does meatloaf last in the fridge?
Meatloaf lasts 3–4 days when refrigerated at 40°F (4°C) or colder. That figure comes from USDA FoodKeeper.
How long does roast beef last in the fridge?
Roast beef lasts 3–4 days when refrigerated at 40°F (4°C) or colder. That figure comes from USDA FoodKeeper.
How long does stir-fry last in the fridge?
Stir-fry lasts 3–4 days when refrigerated at 40°F (4°C) or colder. That figure comes from USDA FoodKeeper.
How long does taco meat last in the fridge?
Taco meat lasts 3–4 days when refrigerated at 40°F (4°C) or colder. That figure comes from USDA FoodKeeper.
More leftovers & deli guides
Figures here are drawn from USDA FoodKeeper plus FSIS guidance. Data re-checked November 2026. How we check our numbers · Spotted an error? Tell us