The short answer
In the fridge, these 10 foods last from 3 days (soup) to 4 days (soup). 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 leftover soups, stews and gravies last in the pantry, fridge and freezer?
| Food | Counter | Fridge | Freezer |
|---|---|---|---|
 Soup | 2 hours | 3–4 days | 2–3 months |
 Chicken in gravy | 2 hours | 3–4 days | 1–2 months |
 Curry | 2 hours | 3–4 days | 2–3 months |
 Goulash | 2 hours | 3–4 days | 2–3 months |
 Meat in gravy | 2 hours | 3–4 days | 6 months |
 Meat sauce | 2 hours | 3–4 days | 2–3 months |
 Miso soup | 2 hours | 3–4 days | 2–3 months |
 Pho | 2 hours | 3–4 days | 2–3 months |
 Pozole | 2 hours | 3–4 days | 2–3 months |
 Stew | 2 hours | 3–4 days | 2–3 months |
How long does soup last?
Soup lasts 3–4 days in the refrigerator, 2–3 months frozen, and only 2 hours out of the fridge.
| Where | Counter | Fridge | Freezer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soup | 2 hours | 3–4 days | 2–3 months |
- Can you freeze soup? 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. Soup 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 chicken in gravy last?
Chicken in gravy lasts 3–4 days in the refrigerator, 1–2 months frozen, and only 2 hours out of the fridge.
| Where | Counter | Fridge | Freezer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicken in gravy | 2 hours | 3–4 days | 1–2 months |
- Can you freeze chicken in gravy? Yes, for a short stretch. Held at 0°F / -18°C, it keeps its best quality for roughly 1–2 months. Food that stays frozen remains safe indefinitely; only the quality slips over time.
- Left out overnight? Discard. Chicken in gravy 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 curry last?
Curry lasts 3–4 days in the refrigerator, 2–3 months frozen, and only 2 hours out of the fridge.
| Where | Counter | Fridge | Freezer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Curry | 2 hours | 3–4 days | 2–3 months |
- Can you freeze curry? 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. Curry 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 goulash last?
Goulash lasts 3–4 days in the refrigerator, 2–3 months frozen, and only 2 hours out of the fridge.
| Where | Counter | Fridge | Freezer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goulash | 2 hours | 3–4 days | 2–3 months |
- Can you freeze goulash? 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. Goulash 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 meat in gravy last?
Meat in gravy lasts 3–4 days in the refrigerator, 6 months frozen, and only 2 hours out of the fridge.
| Where | Counter | Fridge | Freezer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meat in gravy | 2 hours | 3–4 days | 6 months |
- Can you freeze meat in gravy? Yes — it freezes well. Held at 0°F / -18°C, it keeps its best quality for roughly 6 months. Food that stays frozen remains safe indefinitely; only the quality slips over time.
- Left out overnight? Discard. Meat in gravy 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 meat sauce last?
Meat sauce lasts 3–4 days in the refrigerator, 2–3 months frozen, and only 2 hours out of the fridge.
| Where | Counter | Fridge | Freezer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meat sauce | 2 hours | 3–4 days | 2–3 months |
- Can you freeze meat sauce? 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. Meat sauce 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 miso soup last?
Miso soup lasts 3–4 days in the refrigerator, 2–3 months frozen, and only 2 hours out of the fridge.
| Where | Counter | Fridge | Freezer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miso soup | 2 hours | 3–4 days | 2–3 months |
- Can you freeze miso soup? 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. Miso soup 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 pho last?
Pho lasts 3–4 days in the refrigerator, 2–3 months frozen, and only 2 hours out of the fridge.
| Where | Counter | Fridge | Freezer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pho | 2 hours | 3–4 days | 2–3 months |
- Can you freeze pho? 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. Pho 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 pozole last?
Pozole lasts 3–4 days in the refrigerator, 2–3 months frozen, and only 2 hours out of the fridge.
| Where | Counter | Fridge | Freezer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pozole | 2 hours | 3–4 days | 2–3 months |
- Can you freeze pozole? 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. Pozole 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 stew last?
Stew lasts 3–4 days in the refrigerator, 2–3 months frozen, and only 2 hours out of the fridge.
| Where | Counter | Fridge | Freezer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stew | 2 hours | 3–4 days | 2–3 months |
- Can you freeze stew? 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. Stew 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 leftover soups, stews and gravies 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 leftover soups, stews and gravies?
- 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 leftover soups, stews and gravies?
- 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
Leftover soups, stews and gravies: frequently asked questions
How long does soup last in the fridge?
Soup lasts 3–4 days when refrigerated at 40°F (4°C) or colder. That figure comes from USDA FoodKeeper.
How long does chicken in gravy last in the fridge?
Chicken in gravy lasts 3–4 days when refrigerated at 40°F (4°C) or colder. That figure comes from USDA FoodKeeper.
How long does curry last in the fridge?
Curry lasts 3–4 days when refrigerated at 40°F (4°C) or colder. That figure comes from USDA FoodKeeper.
How long does goulash last in the fridge?
Goulash lasts 3–4 days when refrigerated at 40°F (4°C) or colder. That figure comes from USDA FoodKeeper.
How long does meat in gravy last in the fridge?
Meat in gravy lasts 3–4 days when refrigerated at 40°F (4°C) or colder. That figure comes from USDA FoodKeeper.
How long does meat sauce last in the fridge?
Meat sauce lasts 3–4 days when refrigerated at 40°F (4°C) or colder. That figure comes from USDA FoodKeeper.
How long does miso soup last in the fridge?
Miso soup lasts 3–4 days when refrigerated at 40°F (4°C) or colder. That figure comes from USDA FoodKeeper.
How long does pho last in the fridge?
Pho lasts 3–4 days when refrigerated at 40°F (4°C) or colder. That figure comes from USDA FoodKeeper.
How long does pozole last in the fridge?
Pozole lasts 3–4 days when refrigerated at 40°F (4°C) or colder. That figure comes from USDA FoodKeeper.
How long does stew last in the fridge?
Stew 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