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🛡️Food Safety

Does Pecan Pie Have to be Refrigerated?

HowLongFresh ExpertJul 24, 2025

Key Points

  • You should refrigerate the pecan pie, unless you’re planning to serve it within two hours of baking
  • (Commercially produced pecan pies that are displayed and sold unrefrigerated have preservatives and other ingredients added to make them shelf-stable
  • ) The reason is that bacteria grow rapidly when your pecan pie is kept at temperatures between 40° F and 140° F

Overview

You should refrigerate the pecan pie, unless you’re planning to serve it within two hours of baking. As both the United States Department of Agriculture and the American Egg Board note, it’s unsafe to eat homemade pies with egg-based fillings, including pecan pie, that have been allowed to sit at room temperature for two hours or longer. (Commercially produced pecan pies that are displayed and sold unrefrigerated have preservatives and other ingredients added to make them shelf-stable.) The reason is that bacteria grow rapidly when your pecan pie is kept at temperatures between 40° F and 140° F. To prevent foodborne illness, homemade pecan pie should be refrigerated within two hours. It’s okay to place the pie in the fridge if it’s still warm. The baking experts at Betty Crocker and Pillsbury likewise recommend refrigerating homemade pecan pie (check the links for some tasty recipes.) Cover the pie loosely with aluminum foil or plastic wrap. Properly stored, pecan pie will keep for three to four days in the refrigerator. You can also freeze pecan pie successfully. To freeze, wrap the pie tightly with aluminum foil or plastic freezer wrap, or place in heavy-duty freezer bag. For best results, use the frozen pecan pie within two months.Do You Have to Refrigerate Opened Bottles of Mustard and Ketchup? Does Pumpkin Pie Have to Be Refrigerated?Long-Lasting Produce Stock up and enjoy Your Questions Answered Steak that's changed color

Key Points

  • You should refrigerate the pecan pie, unless you’re planning to serve it within two hours of baking
  • (Commercially produced pecan pies that are displayed and sold unrefrigerated have preservatives and other ingredients added to make them shelf-stable
  • ) The reason is that bacteria grow rapidly when your pecan pie is kept at temperatures between 40° F and 140° F

This information applies to: beef, chicken, cranberry, eggs, ground beef, hamburger, ketchup, mustard, pie, potatoes, salad, shrimp, steak, stuffing, turkey

Tags

cooking expiration freezing leftovers refrigeration safety storage thawing

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