I went to Costco the other day, and couldn’t leave without one of their pumpkin pies. They’re affordable, tasty, and gargantuan—no wonder they have such a fan base.
When I got home, I had to do some serious rearranging to fit it in my refrigerator.After a lot of jockeying, I gave up and wondered if I could let the pumpkin pie sit on the counter instead of in the fridge.
"Not really," says Caroline Susie, a registered dietitian and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. “You should refrigerate pies with fillings containing eggs and milk, like pumpkin pie. They pose a higher risk of microbial contamination due to higher moisture and protein content.”
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) also says that homemade pies with eggs, like pumpkin, pecan, and lemon meringue pies, must be refrigerated. These pies shouldn’t sit on the counter for more than two hours.
Proper storage is key to keeping a pumpkin pie tasty and safe to eat.
“If the pumpkin pie is made ahead of time, cool it completely first, then loosely wrap it in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate it until it’s time to serve,” suggests food scientist and researcher Gabriela Swamy, Ph.D., member of the refrigerated and frozen foods division at the Institute of Food Technologists. You could use a reusable pie storage container with a lid if you have one. The pumpkin pie will keep in the fridge for three to four days.
When you have a giant pumpkin pie like I do and not a ton of room in your refrigerator, you may want to look to the freezer instead. Pumpkin pie is easy to freeze and it tastes just as great after it thaws.
Cut the pie into slices. If you made the pie, allow it to cool down before you cut into it. Wrap each slice in several layers of plastic wrap and place them in a zip-top freezer bag, being sure to mark the date on the bag so that you don't forget when they went into the freezer. For the best flavor and texture, eat the pumpkin pie within two weeks of freezing.
When you're in the mood for pumpkin pie, let a slice (or two) thaw in the fridge for a few hours before enjoying it.
Can You Leave Store-Bought Pumpkin Pie With Preservatives On Your Kitchen Counter?
Some pumpkin pies that you pick up from the grocery store may contain preservatives—check the label or ask a bakery employee to be sure. The Costco pumpkin pie, for example, does not contain any preservatives. Though these pies may last longer, experts recommend that you refrigerate them when you bring them home.
“Store-bought pies may have preservatives and other ingredients to make them shelf stable and prevent bacteria growth,” says Susie. “The [best-by] date will be listed on the container. Note, those pies should be refrigerated for storage once home, especially once cut.”
Allow the pie to cool for 2 hours, or until it feels around room temperature to the touch. Wrap loosely in plastic wrap or pop into a pie plate with a lid. Place the pumpkin pie into the refrigerator. Enjoy within 4 days.
Once the pumpkin pie is completely cool (or at least cool to the touch), wrap it in food-safe plastic wrap or aluminum foil.Store in the fridge.Place your wrapped pie in the refrigerator.Keep it covered for up to four days.
The short and easy answer: Yes, pumpkin pie needs to be stored in the refrigerator. The USDA advises that all "egg-rich pies" must be kept refrigerated after baking and cooling. Pumpkin pie falls into this category, along with custard, pecan, and meringue pies.
Cool it completely (to avoid affecting the texture of your crust). Tightly seal the pie with multiple layers of plastic wrap, and then a single layer of foil for extra protection. Label the package, especially if you're freezing more than one kind of pie.
First, pumpkin pie should be kept at room temperature when removed from the oven. Allow it to cool completely on a wire rack before putting it in the fridge. You can also keep pumpkin pie at room temperature for up to two hours, according to the FDA.
Pumpkin pie has a shelf life of about 3-5 days in the refrigerator. If you've been storing it for longer than that, the taste will definitely disappoint. Whether you're planning a Thanksgiving dinner or just want to make a few pies for your friends, we hope this guide has been helpful and you stay safe.
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.
Loosely cover: After baking and cooling your pie, loosely cover it with aluminum foil. Store: store for at room temperature for up to two days, or up to seven days in the fridge according to USDA guidelines. Bake: Bake pie 10 to 15 minutes in a 375°F oven before serving to help re-crisp the crust and warm up the fruit.
If your homemade pumpkin pie has been refrigerated, it can safely sit at room temperature for up to two hours before serving. So, if fridge space is limited on the big day, or you simply prefer the taste of room-temperature pie, you can leave it out for a bit before you slice and serve.
Why Didn't My Pumpkin Pie Set? You're ready to serve your homemade pumpkin pie, but when you try to cut it, it's too runny to get any clean slices. Why this happens: The pie was underbaked, or the oven temperature wasn't high enough. Taking the pie out of the oven prematurely is a very easy mistake to make.
While a wobbly, runny pie is a telltale sign that a pumpkin pie is undercooked, an overcooked pumpkin pie is a bit harder to spot. When you've overcooked a pumpkin pie, you may see: The filling separating from the crust. The filling has visible cracks.
Good news: You can freeze pumpkin pies. The rich custard filling (read: high fat content) of pumpkin pies means they freeze beautifully. In fact, the same is true of other pies with custard filling, including sweet potato pies.
Why Are Store-Bought Pies Not Refrigerated? So that brings many of us to the question: Why are the pumpkin pies at the grocery store sitting out? Store-bought pumpkin pies include shelf-stable ingredients such as preservatives which allow them to last longer, even at room temp.
If you're at all concerned about the freshness of your dessert, here's how to tell if your pumpkin pie is bad or spoiled: Look for any “off” smell or appearance. It should go without saying—if mold appears, toss that pumpkin pie.
David advises, “Baked pumpkin pie or other pies containing eggs and/or dairy such as pecan, custard, or chiffon pie should be stored refrigerated; they'll keep in the fridge for three to four days.
We recommend storing Pumpkin and Pecan pies at room temperature for same-day use. For overnight storage, refrigerate pies in the box they came in. Reheat in 300 degree oven for 15 minutes. Let rest for 30 minutes before serving.
Can You Freeze Pumpkin Pie? Absolutely.Thanks to its high-fat crust and creamy filling, pumpkin pie freezes well. As long as your pumpkin pie is at the right temperature and is properly wrapped, freezing won't affect its integrity or taste.
Keep leftover pumpkin puree and canned pumpkin in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It'll keep there for a week. If you don't think you can use up your pumpkin within that time, you can freeze it for up to a year. Seal it up in a zip-top freezer bag (be sure to label it) and toss it into the freezer.
Pumpkins. Whole pumpkins can be stored for months in a cool dry place out of direct sunlight. Cut pumpkin should be stored in the fridge with the seeds removed, as these decay faster than the flesh. You can simply store it uncovered in the crisper and cut off the dried outer layer before cooking, or wrap it in plastic.
Introduction: My name is Annamae Dooley, I am a witty, quaint, lovely, clever, rich, sparkling, powerful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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