Do You Have to Refrigerate Pumpkin Pie? Yes, Here's Why

Yes. Homemade pumpkin pie is an egg-and-milk custard, so it needs the refrigerator within 2 hours of baking. The federal FoodSafety.gov chart lists pumpkin pie as keeping 3 to 4 days in the fridge after baking. Store-bought pies labeled shelf-stable are the exception until they are cut.

So do you have to refrigerate pumpkin pie? For a pie you made, yes. Store-bought shelf-stable pies are the one exception.

Do you have to refrigerate pumpkin pie?

Yes. The filling is made with eggs and milk, and that is why. FDA's own pumpkin pie recipe uses an egg and evaporated milk, and still says to put leftovers in a sealed container or wrap within 2 hours and chill them at 40°F or below. FSIS says to throw away perishable food that has been left at room temperature for more than 2 hours (1 hour above 90°F). Cooling on the counter counts toward that time.

How long does pumpkin pie last?

Those times come from the FoodSafety.gov cold storage chart, which lists pumpkin or pecan pies at 3 to 4 days refrigerated and 1 to 2 months frozen. USDA FoodKeeper gives the same numbers for pumpkin pie, plus 2 hours at room temperature. The same chart says custard and chiffon pies keep 3 to 4 days and should not be frozen.

What about store-bought pumpkin pie?

Some store pies are shelf-stable. NC State food safety specialists explain that store-bought pumpkin pies can be kept at room temperature because they contain preservatives, while homemade ones don't. The University of Florida IFAS Extension adds that even those pies should be refrigerated at home, especially after cutting.

Read the label. If it says to refrigerate, do. If you can't tell whether a bakery pie is shelf-stable, treat it like a homemade one.

How do you serve pumpkin pie safely at Thanksgiving?

• Bake it ahead and keep it in the fridge until dessert.
• Serve it within 2 hours of taking it out.
• If it needs to sit longer, FSIS suggests keeping cold food cold by nesting the dish in a bowl of ice.
• Return any leftover pie to the fridge promptly. Don't let it go back and forth.

Apple pie is more forgiving, since its sugar and fruit slow bacteria. Read do you have to refrigerate apple pie for that one.

How should you cool and store pumpkin pie?

Get the pie into the fridge within 2 hours of baking. Iowa State University Extension suggests cooling it completely and chilling it uncovered first, then loosely wrapping it so condensation doesn't make the crust soggy. If it hasn't fully cooled after two hours, Iowa State says it can go into the fridge unwrapped to finish cooling. Keep the fridge at 40°F or below.

Can you freeze pumpkin pie?

Yes. The cold storage chart lists 1 to 2 months frozen, after baking. Thaw it in the fridge. For other foods you can freeze, see our can you freeze it guide.

How can you tell if pumpkin pie has gone bad?

Mold or a sour smell means it is done. Also toss any pie that sat out longer than 2 hours, even if it looks fine, because bacteria don't change how it looks or smells.

Can pumpkin pie sit out overnight?

No. An overnight pie has been out well past 2 hours, so throw it away.

How long is pumpkin pie good in the fridge?

3 to 4 days after baking, per the cold storage chart.

Does pumpkin pie made with canned pumpkin need refrigeration?

Yes. Canned pumpkin isn't the issue; the eggs and milk are. FDA's recipe uses canned pumpkin with egg and evaporated milk, and it still calls for chilling within 2 hours.

When in doubt, throw it out

If a pie sat out too long, or you don't know how long, don't taste-test it. When in doubt, throw it out.

Track it so you never guess

Well Stockd estimates an expiration date for the fridge and pantry food you add and sorts what is closest to expiring to the top, so holiday leftovers get used in time. Try it free and add three foods from your fridge to see what to eat first. For more, see our shelf life guide, how long leftovers last, how long leftovers can sit out, and our best app for tracking expiration dates.