For many of us, Thanksgiving dinner isn't complete until pumpkin pie is served. On the day of, you might be tempted to bake the pie early in the morning and then leave it on the counter while you focus on the turkey and delicious side dishes. But how long is it okay to leave a pumpkin pie out?
If you're baking your pie ahead, there are a few things to consider to keep food safe for your guests. After serving, all pies should be wrapped and refrigerated. Here's the skinny on where and how long you can store homemade pumpkin pie, how to tell if pumpkin pie has gone bad, and how (and why) the rules change for store-bought pies.
How Long Does Homemade Pumpkin Pie Last on the Counter?
Whether you've baked your pumpkin pie using canned or fresh pumpkin, the rules are the same. Homemade pumpkin pie filling is made of custard (as is pecan pie, by the way). This type of pie is less forgiving than fruit-filled pies and cannot be left on the counter for longer than 2 hours.
Bacteria grow rapidly at temperatures between 40 and 140 degrees F, what the USDA refers to as the "Danger Zone." It's the eggs and dairy in homemade pumpkin pie that make it susceptible to spoil after 2 hours unless it's refrigerated.
Is It Spoiled?
If you know a pie has been left out longer than 2 hours, however painful, you should throw it out. If you're unsure of how long it's been out, be cautious of any pie with an "off" smell or appearance, like excessive separation or weeping. Of course, if mold appears, toss that pie.
How Long Does Homemade Pumpkin Pie Last in the Fridge?
If properly wrapped—that is, loosely covered with aluminum foil or plastic wrap—a freshly baked pumpkin pie keeps in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. Pumpkin pie is delicious cold, so you can serve it straight from the fridge (with plenty of homemade whipped cream, if you please). If you prefer serving it at room temperature, take it out of the fridge no longer than a couple of hours beforehand to bring its temperature down safely.
How Long Does Homemade Pumpkin Pie Last in the Freezer?
Baked homemade pumpkin pie—whether it's a whole pie or just a few slices—remains in optimal condition for up to 1 month in the freezer. It can safely stay frozen for longer than a month, but its taste and texture start to deteriorate.
How to Freeze and Thaw Homemade Pumpkin Pie
If you want your bake your pumpkin pie up to 1 month ahead of your holiday meal, here's how to bake, wrap, and freeze it to make it taste like it just came out of the oven:
- Bake the pie in a disposable aluminum pie pan (to avoid ice crystals).
- 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.
- Set the pie on a level freezer shelf for up to a month.
- The day before serving, remove your pie from the freezer and uncover it.
- Store the defrosting pie in the refrigerator for at least 12 hours.
- Serve directly from the fridge for a cool pie or, if you prefer it at room temperature, remove it from the fridge an hour before serving.
Thawing a homemade pumpkin pie on the counter (instead of the fridge) can result in a soggy crust or spoilage.
How to Freeze and Thaw Homemade Pumpkin Pie Filling
If you're the do-it-ahead type, you may want to whip up some pumpkin pie filling early and bake a pie later. Or perhaps you ended up with extra pumpkin pie filling and can't deal with it until later.
As you probably suspected, freezing that filling for up to 5 days is a viable option. Alternatively, if you have 1 cup of pumpkin pie filling, use it in our molasses-spiced pumpkin bread recipe.
Follow these steps to freeze and thaw your pumpkin pie filing:
- Load filling into a zip-top freezer bag, push out excess air, and label it.
- Lay the filling on a baking tray, flattening the bag. This keeps your frozen filling from turning into an orange snowball. A flat bag also takes up less room in your freezer and defrosts faster.
- Set the filling and its tray in the freezer until set (several hours), and then remove the tray and freeze for up to 5 days.
- To thaw, transfer the bag to the refrigerator a few hours before you plan on using it. While it defrosts, we suggest setting it in a baking tray in the fridge, just in case there's a leak in the bag. (Guess why we say that.)
Storing Store-Bought Pumpkin Pies
As far as storage goes, store-bought pumpkin pies are a whole different ballgame. They're more forgiving than homemade thanks to additives and preservatives that make them more shelf-stable. Pumpkin pies purchased from bakeries likely do not contain preservatives, so they should be treated like homemade pies, but it doesn't hurt to ask.
Follow these general storage guidelines for store-bought pumpkin pies:
- If the pie was sitting at room temperature in the store, you can leave it on your counter until its sell-by date, and then refrigerate.
- For pies from a refrigerated case, use the same 2-hours-at-room-temperature limit as for a homemade pie, and then refrigerate.
- In the refrigerator, you can safely keep store-bought pies for 2 to 4 days past after their printed date.
- In the freezer, they last 6 to 9 months.
FAQs
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.
Where should you store pumpkin pie? ›
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.
How long can you keep pumpkin pie after Thanksgiving? ›
The USDA says that pumpkin pie will last safely in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. Some store-bought pumpkin pies may have preservatives that could affect this, but in general, pumpkin pies that are homemade or baked fresh at the bakery or store will follow this general rule.
Can you leave pumpkin pie unrefrigerated? ›
The USDA advises against leaving food out of refrigeration for more than two hours to avoid the “danger zone,” the temperature range (between 40°F and 140°F) where bacteria grows the fastest. If your homemade pumpkin pie has been refrigerated, it can safely sit at room temperature for up to two hours before serving.
Can I eat a 5 day old pumpkin pie? ›
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.
How long does pie last unrefrigerated? ›
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.
Does pumpkin pie from Walmart need to be refrigerated? ›
Because pumpkin pies are typically made with a custard filling, which contains milk and eggs, the USDA recommends keeping them refrigerated.
Should pumpkins go in the fridge or counter? ›
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.
Is pumpkin pie good after 10 days? ›
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.
How do you keep pie fresh until Thanksgiving? ›
Loosely covered with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, you can store your pie in the fridge for up to four days. According to FoodSafety.gov, homemade pies such as pumpkin or pecan can be safely stored in the refrigerator for three to four days.
McDowell says that fruit and custard pies are best eaten within the first 24 hours after baking, but can be stored at room temperature for up to two days—any longer than that, and the crust will start to get soggy.
How long can a pumpkin sit out? ›
If you keep uncarved pumpkins out of the hot sun or freezing weather, you can expect them to last two to three months–plenty of time to make it through autumn. As to carved pumpkins, they can last as little as a few days, so keep that in mind if you want to display your carved masterpiece on Halloween night.
Can I freeze pumpkin pie? ›
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.
How to tell if pumpkin pie has gone bad? ›
There are a few ways to check if your pumpkin pie has gone rancid. Toss the pie if it has a foul smell, looks like it has excessive separation or weeping, or has grown mold.
How long will a Costco pumpkin pie last in the refrigerator? ›
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.
Is pumpkin pie good for you? ›
According to the USDA's Dietary Guidelines for Americans, we should all be eating 2 cups of orange veggies each week. Pumpkin pie can help meet these recommendations plus that brilliant orange color provides the antioxidants vitamin A and lutein.
Do pie pumpkins need to be refrigerated? ›
According to the USDA, all "homemade egg-rich pies," including pumpkin, pecan, custard, and meringue pies need to be refrigerated after they have been baked and cooled.
Is pumpkin pie better cold or room temperature? ›
Pumpkin pie is delicious cold, so you can serve it straight from the fridge (with plenty of homemade whipped cream, if you please). If you prefer serving it at room temperature, take it out of the fridge no longer than a couple of hours beforehand to bring its temperature down safely.
Do you refrigerate pumpkin pie from Costco? ›
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.
