Chinese food is the absolute best! I don’t know about you though, but for me, when it comes to Chinese food, my eyes are always bigger than my stomach. I end up over-ordering. Suddenly I have all this delicious food, but my stomach has called it a day.
So, I let it cool, put it in the fridge, and rest the giant food baby in my belly. But, how long is this food going to be good for?
If you’re a big foodie like me, and Chinese is your weakness, you will need to know, just like me. So, how long can you keep Chinese food before it goes bad?
Honestly, I usually just put it in the freezer, but I have learned some things about Chinese food worth sharing with you!
Is It Safe To Eat Leftover Chinese Food?
Generally, leftover Chinese food should be totally fine to eat for around two or three days if you keep it in the fridge. (Phew!) However, this is only the case if it was put in the fridge as soon as it was cold, and it was not left at room temperature for a long time.
Chinese food will also be edible for longer if frozen, so if you do not intend on eating it in the next 2 to 3 days, then you should definitely freeze it. You do not want to waste that valuable deliciousness now, do you?
Can You Get Sick From Leftover Chinese Food?
You can get sick from leftover Chinese food. However, the likelihood of you getting sick is stronger if it was incorrectly stored. If you leave the food out overnight, you are more likely to contract food poisoning.
Also, note that it depends on the food. If the food contains chicken, it needs to be refrigerated properly as foods such as chicken and dairy products need to be refrigerated properly, even after cooking if you intend on eating it later.
Is It Safe To Reheat Chinese Takeaway?
It is safe to eat reheated Chinese takeaway. However, you should ensure that it has been refrigerated as soon as it gets cold, and when you reheat it, it needs to reach a particular temperature.
The food must be 176 degrees Fahrenheit, or 82 degrees Celsius. This is to ensure that you are killing any harmful bacteria that may have got into the food.
This is why, even when the outside seems boiling, always stir and reheat. The outside could be hot, but the inside is still cool and full of bacteria.
How Can You Tell If Chinese Food Is Bad?
If any food has gone bad, it smells unpleasant, or it will have changed. If your Chinese food smells different, or gross, or if it has mold growth on it, it needs to be immediately thrown away.
Leftovers should look and smell like they did when you first made the dish/ordered it.
How Long Is Chinese Food Good For Left Out?
If you have left the food out while you eat a portion of it, it is only good for 2 hours. Once you hit 2 hours, the food must be either frozen, refrigerated, or thrown away. After 2 hours, it will not be safe for consumption due to bacteria.
Note that room temperature is not just the ideal temperature for us, but also for a whole plethora of bacteria.
How Long Is Chinese Food Good For In The Fridge
In the refrigerator, your Chinese food is good for around 3 to 4 days. However, most will only keep Chinese food refrigerated for 2 or 3 days, as after this point you are creating a further risk of getting food poisoning.
How Long Is Chicken Lo Mein Good For In The Fridge
The same can be said even for a dish like Chicken Lo Mein. Just ensure that you refrigerate your chicken lo mein as soon as it cools and keep it cool until you intend on reheating it. But do not keep it for more than 4 days.
How Long Does Chinese Food Last In The Freezer?
Chinese food is one of the great foods that can sit in your freezer for up to 3 months. This includes fried rice, and even chow mein. If you properly freeze your Chinese food it should not affect the quality or taste of the food even slightly
How Long Is Chinese Food Good For Unrefrigerated?
Never leave Chinese food unrefrigerated for any longer than 2 hours. Let it cool before you refrigerate it, and then store it if you intend on eating it later.
How To Store Leftover Chinese Food
Leftover Chinese food is best stored in the fridge, while you can freeze it, most won’t. I don’t know about you, but if I have Chinese food sitting in the fridge, it is going to be eaten well before 4 days. It would be lucky to go 2 days uneaten!
So, wait for the food to cool and then pop it in the fridge in an airtight container!
How To Thaw Chinese Food
If you have decided to freeze your Chinese food, you can best thaw it by just leaving it in the fridge overnight. It is the safest way to thaw it as it will stop your food from reaching any temperatures that bacteria likes and the food will thaw evenly and won’t mush.
How To Reheat Leftover Chinese Food
Chinese food is best reheated in a pan on the shove. Heating it over high heat should restore it to its former self. It can be tempting to use a microwave, but the stove is just better and makes it taste better.
FAQs:
Can You Reheat Chinese Takeaway After 2 Days?
You can reheat Chinese takeaway after 2 days as long as it has been refrigerated for the whole 2 days since it cooled. If not, then no! It’s not safe.
Is 5 Day Old Chinese Food Safe To Eat?
If you froze the Chinese food, then 5-day-old food is safe, if it has been refrigerated then no. It might be fine, but you have a higher chance of food poisoning.
Summary:
Chinese food is most of our go-to takeout. But more often than not, we end up getting too much, so it’s really important that you store the leftovers correctly, so that you don’t get food poisoning.
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