How long can I keep Chinese takeaway in the fridge?
In this brief guide, we are going to answer the question “how long can I keep Chinese takeaway in the fridge” with an in-depth analysis of the shelf life of Chinese takeaway. Moreover, we are going to discuss tips to properly store Chinese takeaway.
So without much ado, let’s dive in and figure out more about it.
How long can I keep Chinese takeaway in the fridge?
The shelf life of Chinese takeaway varies depending upon the ingredients that are used to make it, the processing techniques, and the storage conditions it was kept in. Generally Chinese takeaway can last for about 3-4 days when stored properly in the fridge at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit in an air-tight container or plastic zipper bag.
Thus, the cold temperature of the fridge will decrease the rate of bacterial growth and will subsequently prolong the shelf life of your Chinese takeaway.
The proper way to store your leftovers in the fridge is to put them in the air-tight container or zip lock bag once within 2 hours after it has been cooked.
How long does Chinese takeaway stay at room temperature?
Chinese takeaway lasts for about 2 hours when left out at room temperature.
You should discard the Chinese takeaway that has been left in open for more than 2 hours as bacterial growth takes place at a faster pace between the temperature of 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit, therefore there are greater chances of the Chinese takeaway being already contaminated with bacteria when left out for more than 2 hours.
Moreover, if the temperature of the surroundings is about 90 degrees Fahrenheit, then the process of spoilage takes place at a faster pace and it is recommended to discard Chinese takeaway that is left out in the open for more than an hour at 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
How long does Chinese takeaway last in the freezer?
Chinese takeaway if kept in an air-tight container or air-tight bag in the freezer can last for about 3-6 months (varies for different types of Chinese foods) provided that it was stored properly.
Thus keeping the Chinese takeaway in the freezer will increase its shelf life considerably owing to the cool temperature of the freezer that halts the bacterial growth on Chinese takeaway.
It is worth mentioning that the figures mentioned above are the estimated shelf life of Chinese takeaway.
How to thaw frozen Chinese takeaway properly?
You can thaw frozen Chinese takeaway by leaving it in the fridge overnight. The cooked Chinese takeaway that you thaw in the fridge can stay there for 3-4 days before you decide to reheat and eat them.
On the other hand, you can also directly thaw and reheat your frozen Chinese takeaway in the microwave but the Chinese takeaway thawed and reheated this way should be consumed immediately.
Can you reheat the refrigerated or frozen Chinese takeaway?
When you’re prepared to eat the leftovers of Chinese takeaway that you have in your freezer or fridge, warm it in the oven, on a stove, or microwave until the inside temperature arrives at 165 °F (74 °C).
The usage of slow cookers is not suggested for warming the leftovers. The reason behind this is that slow cookers may not be able to reheat the leftovers to such an extent that is recommended to eliminate disease-causing microbes and bacteria.
You can read how to make prawn and egg fried rice here.
Tips to properly store Chinese takeaway
- You should store your leftovers in a shallow air-tight container in the fridge at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit within 2 hours after the Chinese food was cooked.
- Never leave your leftover Chinese food at room temperature for more than an hour or two or else bacteria and other microbes will contaminate it.
- It is a good practice to store Chinese takeaway on one of the shelves of the refrigerator rather than the door as there is a lot of temperature fluctuation at the door of the fridge that can mess up the quality of Chinese takeaway.
- Thaw the Chinese food properly before reheating it. If you are thawing your Chinese food by keeping it in the refrigerator then you can reheat and utilize it within 3-4 days but if you are directly thawing and reheating it in the microwave it is recommended to consume it immediately.
Conclusion
In this brief guide, we answered the question “how long can I keep Chinese takeaway in the fridge” with an in-depth analysis of the shelf life of Chinese takeaway. Moreover, we discussed tips to properly store Chinese takeaway.
