How To Store Pies: How Long To Refrigerate, Freeze And Keep Them Out (2024)

LOADINGERROR LOADING

How To Store Pies: How Long To Refrigerate, Freeze And Keep Them Out (1)

Everything Thanksgiving: Get all our Thanksgiving recipes, how-to’s and more!

When you’re cooking a large meal like Thanksgiving dinner, it’s important to prepare elements ahead of time so you’re not stuck in the kitchen all day while missing out on the company of friends and family. Thanksgiving pies can definitely be prepared ahead of time, but how far in advance? And should they sit out at room temperature, or be stored in the refrigerator or the freezer?

We spoke to food safety experts and a professional baker about the best storage practices to help keep you safe from foodborne illnesses and preserve the quality of your home-baked pies. Here’s what you should know.

Advertisem*nt

Pie crusts and certain types of pie can be frozen.

Most fruit pies

“Fruit pies can be stored safely for 3-4 days in a refrigerator but up to 1-2 months (after baking) in a freezer,” Tamika Sims, director of food technology communications at the International Food Information Council Foundation, told HuffPost.

Pumpkin and pecan pies

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach notes that while pumpkin and pecan pies can be frozen for up to two months, their fillings may separate and their crusts can get soggy.

But don’t even think about freezing a custard pie. “Pies that have custard or chiffon should not be frozen, but can be stored for 3-4 days in a fridge,” Sims said.

“The thing with pie is it’s really best when it’s fresh, however as a chef I always recommend [making] your dessert [before the rest of the meal],” Tracy Wilk, lead chef and recipe editor for the recreational program at the Institute of Culinary Education, told HuffPost. As making pie dough is the most time-intensive step of the pie-making process, she recommends making it in advance and putting it in the freezer (or even better, rolling the dough out and placing it in a freezer-safe pie plate) ahead of time. That way, you can make your pie filling the day of Thanksgiving, drop it into the dough (from frozen or defrosted overnight in the refrigerator) and bake it fresh on Thanksgiving Day.

Advertisem*nt

How To Store Pies: How Long To Refrigerate, Freeze And Keep Them Out (2)

cierra45 via Getty Images

For those freezing dough and entire pies in advance, Wilk recommends working no more than 10 days in advance — unless you have a really great freezer. “It will be fine in the freezer [for longer], but if you have a normal home fridge it’s going to get freezer burn,” Wilk said.

Baking your pie within a day of Thanksgiving? Here’s when you can leave it out at room temperature.

When it comes to food safety best practices for Thanksgiving pies, the guidelines for fruit-filled pies are the most lenient as “fruit pies generally contain enough sugar to stop the growth of bacteria and may safely be kept at room temperature,” a Food and Drug Administration spokesperson told HuffPost. “Pies that should be refrigerated should not be left out more than two hours or one hour in air temperatures above 90 degrees Fahrenheit.”

This means that unless you’re planning on eating them immediately after baking and cooling, pies with fillings that contain perishable ingredients like eggs and dairy such as pumpkin or pecan need to go in the refrigerator. “When these baked products are left at room temperature, conditions are ideal for bacterial multiplication,” Sims said. “It’s not necessary to refrigerate most other baked goods, unless they have a perishable filling or frosting.”

To avoid a soggy crust, Wilk recommends making apple pie (as well as other pies filled with wet fruit) no more than 24 hours in advance. “The longer it sits, the more likely your pie crust is going to get soggy,” Wilk said. After it’s cooled, the pie can be wrapped and left on the counter overnight.

Advertisem*nt

Wrap any leftovers and consume within a few days.

The all-important “chill” step in regard to safe food handling comes into play once again when dealing with Thanksgiving leftovers. “Remember to store your perishable food under 40 degrees Fahrenheit, and different types of leftovers can be kept safely for different amounts of time,” said Sims, who recommends keeping a cold food storage chart on your fridge, so you know when to throw out your leftovers.

Fruit, pumpkin, pecan, custard and chiffon pies can be safely stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, according to the chart and FDA guidelines. But many pies ― especially fruit ― are best eaten within just a couple of days. “Apple, to me, after two days it’s just not gonna taste good,” Wilk said.

“You can’t tell if a food is safe just by how it looks or smells,” Sims added. “The ‘sniff test’ does not apply to week-old pies.”

Support HuffPost

Our 2024 Coverage Needs You

Your Loyalty Means The World To Us

At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.

Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.

Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your contribution of as little as $2 will go a long way.

As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.

Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.

Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.

Dear HuffPost Reader

Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.

The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?

Dear HuffPost Reader

Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.

The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circ*mstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you’ll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.

Support HuffPost

Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.

Before You Go

How To Store Pies: How Long To Refrigerate, Freeze And Keep Them Out (3)

Baking Steels For Making The Perfect Pies

How To Store Pies: How Long To Refrigerate, Freeze And Keep Them Out (2024)

FAQs

How To Store Pies: How Long To Refrigerate, Freeze And Keep Them Out? ›

If additional storage time is needed, the pie may be stored loosely wrapped in the refrigerator for two more days. Fruit pies freeze quite well. To freeze a fruit pie, place them uncovered in the freezer until frozen solid, then wrap in plastic wrap or foil and place back in the freezer for up to four months.

How long do pies keep in the refrigerator? ›

Apple and other fruit pies keep at room temperature for up to two days, then in the fridge for two more. Pumpkin, custard, or other egg/dairy-based pies can be stored in the fridge for up to four days. Pie dough can keep for two to three days in the fridge, or up to three months in the freezer.

Is it better to freeze or refrigerate pie? ›

Pie Storage Tips

Be sure to refrigerate pies containing eggs (pumpkin, custard and cream pies). Be aware that custard and cream pies do not freeze successfully.

How long do you have to keep pie out of the fridge before serving? ›

3 If you'd like to serve the pie room temp, take it out of the fridge one hour before serving—but be sure not to leave it out for more than two hours!

How do you store and freeze pies? ›

If you need a bigger head start of freezing pies and want to do it from an already-baked state, follow these steps to freeze a pie after baking it. Bake as directed and allow to cool completely. Place the pie in a freezer bag; seal, label, and freeze for up to 4 months. To serve, thaw at room temperature.

What is the best way to refrigerate pies? ›

Here's a quick rundown of the ideal pie-storage times and methods: Custard and cream pies, and any pies containing eggs and dairy. Cover with plastic wrap as soon as they're cool and refrigerate for up to 2 days.

How long do pies keep in the freezer? ›

A baked pie can be frozen for 6 months, a longer freezing time than an unbaked pie. Loss of quality increases with the length of time in the freezer. Pies can be frozen longer than recommended here but the quality greatly deteriorates with the extended freezer time.

Which pie should refrigerate when storing but not freezing? ›

If a savory pie has dairy, eggs, or meat, it must be refrigerated. So wrap up that chicken pot pie or egg-based Zucchini Pie to store it in the refrigerator for up to four days or in the freezer for up to two to three months. Always check the recipe for storage guidelines.

How to wrap pie for freezing? ›

Be they baked or not, whole or in slices, first place the uncovered pie on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, about two hours, before wrapping in a layer or two of plastic wrap. You can then put the pie in a layer of foil, a resealable bag or an airtight container for extra insurance from freezer burn if you want.

How long do frozen pies last in the fridge? ›

Pies keep refrigerated for about 3 days or frozen for 2 months. We recommend reheating most pies before serving (not the “cold” pies like key lime and chocolate mousse). In addition, if you plan to serve your pie later than three days, we recommend freezing, then defrosting & reheating.

Can a pie last a week in the fridge? ›

Fruit pies are best stored at room temperature and eaten within 2 days of purchase. However, they can also be refrigerated for up to 5 days. Custard pies (ex. Sweet Potato Coconut, Cardamom Tahini Squash, or Apple Butter Custard) are best eaten within 2 days of purchase if stored at room temperature.

When should you refrigerate a pie? ›

If a pie contains eggs or dairy products, it should be stored in the refrigerator and not left out at room temperature for more than two hours. Pies that do not contain dairy products, such as fruit pies can be stored, loosely covered at room temperature for up to two days.

How far ahead can you make pies for Thanksgiving? ›

You can prepare and bake the pie up to two days in advance, and it will still taste great on the big day. Just make sure you store the pie in the refrigerator—not on the kitchen counter—until you are ready to serve it.

What pies should not be frozen? ›

Custard pies made with cornstarch- it bears repeating that custard pies, where the filling is cooked on the stove and thickened with cornstarch, can't be frozen and thawed. Pies or tarts topped with fresh fruit - pies and tarts topped with fresh fruit can't be frozen and thawed.

What homemade pies freeze well? ›

I frequently bake and freeze my classic apple pie, favorite cherry pie, blueberry pie, and very cherry berry pie with fresh cranberries with excellent results. I do not recommend freezing custard or cream pies, as the texture of the filling doesn't hold up well to freezing.

Why are store pies not refrigerated? ›

Those pies contain preservatives and shelf-stable ingredients that allow them to be displayed and stored at room temperature. Commercially prepared pies that can be sold at room temperature should display an “RT” label; in any event they should be refrigerated after opening.

Can I eat apple pie after 7 days? ›

According to the USDA, fruit pies in an airtight container can stay unrefrigerated at room temperature for up to two days. When refrigerated, apple pie can remain for up to one week.

Does pie go bad in the fridge? ›

Wrap any leftovers and consume within a few days.

Fruit, pumpkin, pecan, custard and chiffon pies can be safely stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, according to the chart and FDA guidelines. But many pies ― especially fruit ― are best eaten within just a couple of days.

Is pie still good after 5 days? ›

Fruit pies are best stored at room temperature and eaten within 2 days of purchase. However, they can also be refrigerated for up to 5 days. Custard pies (ex. Sweet Potato Coconut, Cardamom Tahini Squash, or Apple Butter Custard) are best eaten within 2 days of purchase if stored at room temperature.

How long will an apple pie last in the refrigerator? ›

Ideally, apple pie (or any fruit pie) should be stored in the refrigerator, either with a lid or covered tightly with plastic wrap. It will last up to 4 days in the refrigerator, but always be sure to check in on your leftovers to make sure they still look and smell good before diving in.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Rev. Leonie Wyman

Last Updated:

Views: 5871

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (79 voted)

Reviews: 94% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Rev. Leonie Wyman

Birthday: 1993-07-01

Address: Suite 763 6272 Lang Bypass, New Xochitlport, VT 72704-3308

Phone: +22014484519944

Job: Banking Officer

Hobby: Sailing, Gaming, Basketball, Calligraphy, Mycology, Astronomy, Juggling

Introduction: My name is Rev. Leonie Wyman, I am a colorful, tasty, splendid, fair, witty, gorgeous, splendid person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.