3 to 4 days
Loosely covered, once cooled (USDA FoodKeeper)
1 to 2 months
Best quality; the crust may soften (USDA FoodKeeper, Illinois Extension)
2 hours
Custard pies cannot sit out longer (USDA FoodKeeper, Illinois Extension)
The short version: pumpkin pie belongs in the fridge within 2 hours of baking or serving. Then it keeps 3 to 4 days, according to the USDA's FoodKeeper data. For longer, freeze it for 1 to 2 months. Throw out any pie left out for more than 2 hours, and any slice with mold.
Storage times here come from the USDA's FoodKeeper data and University of Illinois Extension, with handling rules from the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service.
On this page
What to do before you store pumpkin pie
How to store pumpkin pie
Can you freeze pumpkin pie?
How to tell if pumpkin pie has gone bad
How long pumpkin pie keeps, by type
Mistakes people make when they store pumpkin pie
What to do before you store pumpkin pie
Pumpkin pie keeps best when it reaches the fridge on time, because University of Illinois Extension says pumpkin, cream, chiffon and custard pies should not be out of the fridge for more than 2 hours. So plan for that before the pie comes out of the oven.
A custard pie is on a two-hour clock.
Firstly, note the time it comes out of the oven or goes on the table. The 2-hour limit starts then, not when dessert ends.
Next, let it cool on a rack, but only within that window. Then move it to the fridge, even if it still feels slightly warm, since the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service says warm food can go straight in.
Then cover it loosely. Plastic wrap, foil or an upturned bowl all work well, and they keep the filling from picking up fridge smells.
Finally, decide what to freeze. So if the pie will not be finished in 3 to 4 days, freeze those slices on day one. The pumpkin guide covers the raw squash and its puree.
How to store pumpkin pie
To store pumpkin pie, keep it cold and covered. The filling is egg and milk, so it follows the same rules as other custards rather than fruit pies.
Does pumpkin pie need to be refrigerated?
Yes. Pumpkin pie needs to be refrigerated within 2 hours, because the USDA's FoodKeeper data gives it only 2 hours at room temperature. Similarly, University of Illinois Extension says the same of all pumpkin, cream and custard pies. So it belongs in the fridge, not on the counter.
Loosely covered, once it has cooled.
How long does pumpkin pie last in the fridge?
Pumpkin pie lasts 3 to 4 days in the fridge, according to the USDA's FoodKeeper data. Similarly, University of Illinois Extension, citing the USDA, gives it up to four days.
So count from the day it was baked. For example, a pie made on Wednesday for Thursday dinner should be finished or frozen by Saturday or Sunday.
Can pumpkin pie sit out overnight?
No. Pumpkin pie should not sit out overnight, because both the USDA's FoodKeeper data and University of Illinois Extension limit it to 2 hours at room temperature. The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service says to throw away perishable food left out longer. So a pie left on the counter overnight goes in the bin.
How should you cover pumpkin pie?
Check the label. For instance, some bakery pies are sold from a chilled case, and those should go straight back into your fridge. If the box gives its own storage instructions, follow them, since the maker knows the recipe. Once you have cut it, however, treat it like homemade pie.
Is store-bought pumpkin pie different?
Cover pumpkin pie loosely with plastic wrap or foil once it is cool. The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service notes that wrapping leftovers keeps bacteria out, holds in moisture and stops them picking up odors. So a covered pie also tastes better on day three.
Can you freeze pumpkin pie?
Yes. The USDA's FoodKeeper data gives pumpkin pie 1 to 2 months in the freezer, and University of Illinois Extension says it keeps its best quality there for up to two months. However, the same Illinois page warns that custard and cream-based pies often do not freeze well. So expect a slightly softer crust after thawing.
How do you freeze pumpkin pie?
Freeze pumpkin pie only after it has cooled completely in the fridge, rather than warm. Then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil, or freeze single slices in a covered container. Finally, label it with the date, since FoodKeeper's 1 to 2 months is easy to forget.
Wrapped tight in plastic and foil, then labelled.
How do you thaw frozen pumpkin pie?
Thaw it in the fridge, which the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service calls the safest way to thaw. It takes longer, but the pie stays cold the whole time. Then eat it within a few days.
Does freezing change pumpkin pie?
A little. University of Illinois Extension notes that custard and cream-based pies often do not freeze well. So the filling may weep slightly and the crust may soften. Even so, it is safe, and it still tastes like pumpkin pie.
How to tell if pumpkin pie has gone bad
Pumpkin pie can be unsafe before it looks bad, because the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service says the bacteria behind food poisoning do not generally change how food looks or smells. So go by the clock first. Here is what each stage means.
Verdict: eat it
Fresh pumpkin pie
A smooth, glossy, evenly orange filling that slices cleanly, on a crisp crust. In other words, this is a pie inside its 3 to 4 days, kept covered in the fridge. So serve it cold or let it sit out briefly first.
Verdict: eat it within the window
Cracked or watery pumpkin pie
A crack across the top, a few beads of liquid on the surface, or a softer crust after a day or two in the fridge. However, these change how the pie looks, not how old it is. So if it is inside its 3 to 4 days and was refrigerated on time, eat it.
Verdict: throw it out
Pumpkin pie left out more than 2 hours
A pie that stayed on the counter after dinner, or out overnight, even if it looks perfect. After all, both FoodKeeper and Illinois Extension limit custard pies to 2 hours out. So throw it out, because reheating or chilling it now does not fix it.
Verdict: throw it out
Pumpkin pie past 4 days
A pie in the fridge for more than 4 days, often with a dull, dry or shrunken filling pulling away from the crust. In other words, that is past the 3 to 4 days FoodKeeper gives. So throw it out, and next time freeze the spare slices earlier.
Verdict: throw it out
Moldy pumpkin pie
Fuzzy white, green or black spots on the filling or crust. The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service says to discard moldy bread and baked goods, because porous foods can be contaminated below the surface. So throw out the whole pie, not just the spot.
Can you leave pumpkin pie out for Thanksgiving dessert?
Yes, for up to 2 hours. That covers dessert and coffee, but not the rest of the evening. Then put it back in the fridge, as both the USDA and Illinois Extension advise. So if the pie will sit out a while, serve slices and keep the rest of the pie cold.
How long pumpkin pie keeps, by type
The clock depends on where the pie is. So here is each case.
Substitute
Works best in
What changes
On the counter
2 hours
Custard filling (USDA FoodKeeper, Illinois).
In the fridge
3 to 4 days
Covered loosely (USDA FoodKeeper).
In the freezer
1 to 2 months
Best quality; crust may soften.
Thawed in the fridge
A few days
Keep it cold (USDA FSIS).
Mistakes people make when they store pumpkin pie
These are the ways pumpkin pie goes wrong most often, and each one is easy to fix.
Storing it like an apple pie. Pumpkin is a custard, so it needs the fridge.
Leaving it out all evening. The limit is 2 hours, then back in the fridge.
Waiting for it to cool completely on the counter. Warm pie can go straight into the fridge.
Leaving it uncovered. Cover it loosely so it does not take on fridge smells.
Keeping it a week. FoodKeeper gives it 3 to 4 days, so freeze spare slices early.
Scraping off a moldy spot. The USDA says to discard moldy baked goods whole.
Thawing it on the counter. Thaw it in the fridge instead.
Sources
FoodKeeper App, Food Safety and Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, whose published FoodKeeper data lists pumpkin pie at 2 hours at room temperature, 3 to 4 days refrigerated and 1 to 2 months frozen.
Do I Need to Refrigerate the Pie?, University of Illinois Extension, November 2019, on pumpkin, cream, chiffon and custard pies staying out of the fridge no more than 2 hours, pumpkin pie keeping up to four days refrigerated and up to two months frozen, and custard and cream-based pies often not freezing well.
Leftovers and Food Safety, Food Safety and Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, on the 2-hour rule, putting warm food straight into the fridge, wrapping leftovers, and thawing in the refrigerator.
Refrigeration and Food Safety, Food Safety and Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, on pathogenic bacteria not generally affecting the taste, smell or appearance of food.
Molds on Food: Are They Dangerous?, Food Safety and Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, on discarding moldy bread and baked goods.
Storage times and safety advice on this page come from the sources above. Food safety depends on conditions I cannot see, so read the Disclaimer, and if in doubt, throw it out.
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