When you order Chinese food, you probably don’t think about how long it will last. You’re just excited to indulge in your favorite dish. But how long is Chinese food good for? And what’s the best way to store it?
In this article, we will answer those questions and more!
How Long is Chinese Food Good For?
Like other types of leftovers, Chinese cuisine will store for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. It’s important to note that the food in the fridge doesn’t go bad right away after 5 days. It degrades gradually, putting you at a greater risk of food poisoning when you eat it.
If you anticipate keeping the dish in your refrigerator for more than 5 days, you should freeze it.
How Long Is Chinese Food Good For In The Refrigerator?
Chinese cuisine may keep for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. People, on the other hand, tend to store it only for a maximum of 2-3 days. Food poisoning can be avoided by storing food for a minimum of an hour after opening. Food-borne illnesses do not change the appearance, flavor, or smell of food in any way.
If you’re unsure, err on the side of caution and don’t store your meal in the fridge for longer than this amount of time.
How Long Is Chinese Food Good For In The Freezer?
You may extend the shelf life of your leftover Chinese cuisine by freezing it. It might be kept in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Fried rice, chow mein, and other main course recipes can last a long time in the freezer. If done correctly, freezing them will not alter their quality or flavor!
At this point, I’d like to remind you that homemade Chinese cuisine freezes better than takeout food. Don’t worry, you may still freeze your leftovers. You’ll just need to eat it before 2 months.
How To Freeze Chinese Food?
You’ve got two options:
- Containers that can be resealed and are freezer-friendly are the most effective when it comes to freezing leftovers. However, sealable aluminum ones are an option as well.
- I would strongly advise against attempting to use freezer-friendly plastic bags since it will need more effort and care on your part. However, if you do, make sure your bags are airtight and free of leaks. Place it in the freezer as needed so that other food items don’t overlap with your Chinese food while frozen.
You should also know what not to do when freezing Chinese food, given that you now understand what to freeze your Chinese cuisine in.
- Do not freeze fried food or dishes that are high in oil. They will not qualify for the quality check when they are defrosted.
- Before you freeze it, let your Chinese food sit at room temperature for a while. When frozen immediately, hot meals can cause freezer burns.
- After two hours, freeze fresh meals. Instead of freezing it after you’ve finished eating part of it, freeze takeaway food straight away. Always be cautious; you never know how long the meal was out at the restaurant.
- If you’re going to freeze home-cooked meals for later consumption, cook them slightly halfway through. This way, if you reheat your meal, you won’t overcook it.
Best Ways to Store Your Chinese Food
We’ve all been there. We eat what we can out of our Chinese takeout, then put the rest in the fridge. This isn’t ideal if you want to keep the leftovers for a long period of time. Take note that Chinese takeout containers allow air to flow through the food. This causes food to deteriorate and allows germs to grow.
If you want Chinese takeout leftovers to stay fresh in your refrigerator longer, here are some pointers for you:
- Place Your Leftovers In The Fridge: If you only put your food on the counter, it will be a waste. It’s better to take what you require and then store whatever is left in an airtight container. Place the container of food in the fridge. It’s preferable to store the leftover meals as soon as possible inside the refrigerator.
- Use Food-Grade Airtight Containers: When storing food, it’s critical to keep as much of the air out as possible. If there is any amount of air inside the container, germs will be able to thrive and spread more easily. Glass containers are my favorite.
- Make Sure You Get Small, Even Portions: Make sure you obtain tiny, uniform containers. When you’re putting the food in there, spread them out evenly. Food will cool faster if there is more surface area. Bacteria can grow at the center of big batches of leftovers because they won’t be cooled as quickly.
- Make Sure to Check the Temperature of Your Fridge: Checking the temperature of your refrigerator is crucial for preserving the shelf life of your Chinese takeout leftovers. By keeping your leftovers below 40°F, you may assist your fridge to reach its ideal temperature. This keeps your leftovers out of the spoiling zone. Make sure that your refrigerator’s temperature is around 32°F.
- Label Your Containers: When you put leftovers in the fridge, it’s helpful to label them with the date so you know how long they’ve been there. This is especially important if you have a large refrigerator and can’t remember everything that’s inside of it.
- Freeze Them: You can also store cooked Chinese leftovers in the freezer. This will help them last longer, but they may not taste as good once you heat them up again.
Related: Can You Freeze Almond Milk?
How To Reheat Chinese Food?
You have two options:
- The first (and most effective!) choice is to rewarm your meal in a pan or skillet. Simply add some oil to the pan and allow it to warm before adding your rice. This will not only guarantee uniform cooking of your meal, but it will also improve its texture and preserve your leftovers from becoming mushy.
- You may also reheat leftovers in the microwave. Before you do so, make sure your food has cooled down somewhat. Then put your meal in a microwave-safe bowl and add enough water to keep it moist. If rice is leaking out of your container, lay a ceramic plate on its side upside-down over the bowl.
How to Thaw Chinese Food?
The best approach to thawing frozen food in the fridge overnight is to leave it there. It’s the most secure method of keeping your leftovers from melting too quickly. Refrigerating your leftovers inhibits bacteria growth as the food thaws, ensuring that your leftovers stay safe and tasty for longer.
You may thaw your Chinese leftovers in the microwave or leave them at room temperature if you need to use them right away. If you do these things, keep in mind that your food will be mushy.
Make sure that you plan for how many Chinese leftovers you’ll need from your fridge the next day. This will prevent the food from being shocked with additional bacterial growth.
How To Tell If Your Leftover Chinese Has Gone Bad?
There is no way to tell whether your Chinese food has germs. However, there is one method.
After thawing and heating Chinese food, you must do a smell test. If your meal has gone rancid and is no longer safe to eat, it will undoubtedly have an unpleasant, oily odor. If there’s nothing unusual about how it feels when you freeze it, take a bite.
The simplest method to do this is to trust your instincts. If your food doesn’t smell odd, but you have a feeling it tastes somewhat different, get rid of it.
Why You Should Throw Your Leftovers Out?
When you eat food that has live germs in it, you run the danger of getting sick. These organisms thrive at temperatures between 40°F and 140°F. Make sure your food stays out of that deadly zone by storing it properly. Do not allow bacteria to grow on foods that have been left out.
The majority of refrigerators maintain a temperature of about 32°F. The growth of bacteria in your food is slowed at this temperature. The sooner you put food in your refrigerator, the safer it is to consume again.
