How Long Will Leftover Pizza Stay Fresh?

Pizza always tastes best when it's fresh from the oven, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy the leftovers, too. Maybe you got $3 off your online carryout order at Domino's for National Pizza Day and stocked up on an extra pie (via USA Today). While it may be hard to pass up those BOGO deals or the specials like "get a one-topping large pizza for $10," unless you have a big appetite or are buying the pies for a group of people, having leftovers might be inevitable.

If you're busy or just prefer not to cook, hearing the word "leftovers" might be music to your ears. It means you don't have to cook, wash any dishes, or wonder what you're having for lunch the next day. Maybe even dinner, too. Heck, some people even have pizza for breakfast.

But just how many days can you eat those leftover slices, without sacrificing taste or safety? How long do pizza leftovers stay fresh? And does the storage method make a difference in how long the leftovers last?

As a rule of thumb, Eat This, Not That! reports that any leftover food can be safely eaten for up to four days, assuming it's stored properly. And Consumer Reports states that your fridge should be kept at or below 40 degrees. After the fourth day, you should throw your leftovers out, per the Mayo Clinic, as the risk of food poisoning increases after that point. You can also put the food in the freezer to make it last longer.

Bacterial contamination is a common cause of food poisoning (via NHS inform). The tricky thing about bacteria, though, is that you can't always see it unless the food is growing fur or is discolored with blue-green mold. But what about that week-old slice of pizza that still looks pretty good? Unfortunately, it could still be contaminated with bacteria and cause you to get sick if you eat it.

Does this mean you'll automatically get sick if you eat your leftover pizza after the fourth day? No. It just means the risk for illness increases, so you might want to think twice about eating leftover pizza or any other leftover food after four days. According to the CDC, some of the most common food poisoning symptoms include stomach cramps, vomiting, upset stomach, fever, diarrhea, and nausea. With that in mind, you'll have to decide for yourself if it's worth the risk.

Sure, you can throw the entire box in the fridge, but there are better storage options to keep your leftover pizza safely edible and tasty for up to four days. Whether it's in a cardboard box or sitting exposed on a paper plate, both of these options can cause the pizza to quickly dehydrate, per Everyday Cheapskate. They'll also affect how the pizza tastes. The best method of storing your leftover pizza is to put it in an airtight bag or container to prevent bacteria growth (via Eat This, Not That!).

When you're ready to eat the leftovers, you can pop them in the microwave to reheat them, if you're not overly concerned with taste and are in a rush. If the taste is important to you and you don't mind waiting a little longer, put the pizza in the oven. Other pizza reheating options include using a cast-iron skillet or toaster oven, per Food 52.

Regardless of how you choose to reheat your pizza, just adhere to the four-day rule for leftovers, and remember to store it properly.