HowLongFreshHowLongFresh
Back to FAQ List
🛡️Food Safety

How Long Can Cooked Steak Be Left Out at Room Temperature?

HowLongFresh ExpertJul 24, 2025

Key Points

  • You can safely leave cooked steak out at room temperature for two hours -- or one hour if the temperature is above 90 degrees Fahrenheit -- says the United States Department of Agriculture
  • Cooked steak that has been sitting out for longer than 2 hours (or 1 hour above 90° F) should be discarded
  • The reason is that bacteria grow rapidly when cooked meat is kept at temperatures between 40° F and 140° F

Overview

You can safely leave cooked steak out at room temperature for two hours -- or one hour if the temperature is above 90 degrees Fahrenheit -- says the United States Department of Agriculture. Cooked steak that has been sitting out for longer than 2 hours (or 1 hour above 90° F) should be discarded. The reason is that bacteria grow rapidly when cooked meat is kept at temperatures between 40° F and 140° F. To prevent foodborne illness, try to refrigerate the cooked steak as soon as you can. You can safely keep cooked steak in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days; it will also keep well in the freezer for at least 2-3 months.How Long Does Cooked Steak Last? How Long Does Thawed Steak Last in the Fridge? Should You Eat Steak That’s Turning Brown?Long-Lasting Produce Stock up and enjoy Your Questions Answered Steak that's changed color

Key Points

  • You can safely leave cooked steak out at room temperature for two hours -- or one hour if the temperature is above 90 degrees Fahrenheit -- says the United States Department of Agriculture
  • Cooked steak that has been sitting out for longer than 2 hours (or 1 hour above 90° F) should be discarded
  • The reason is that bacteria grow rapidly when cooked meat is kept at temperatures between 40° F and 140° F

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

Tags

cooking expiration freezing leftovers refrigeration safety storage thawing

Related Foods

beef
chicken
cranberry
eggs
ground beef
hamburger
pie
potatoes
salad
shrimp
steak
stuffing
turkey