When it comes to Thanksgiving dinner, almost nothing is as anticipated as the crowd-favorite pumpkin pie. The dessert is easy to make and can be made ahead of Thanksgiving Day. However, unlike many other cakes, cookies, and pies, pumpkin pie can not sit indefinitely at room temperature and needs to find a spot in the fridge. Ahead, we break down how long your pie can sit out on the counter, the difference between homemade and store-bought pies, how to store your pie, and more.
Does Pumpkin Pie Need To Be Refrigerated?
According to the USDA, all "homemade egg-rich pies," including pumpkin, pecan, custard, and meringue pies need to be refrigerated after they have been baked and cooled. Because pumpkin pie is made with eggs and dairy, it needs to be refrigerated to stay fresh.
How Long Can I Leave Pumpkin Pie Out at Room Temperature?
First off, understand that homemade pumpkin pies are less forgiving than, say, homemade apple pies because the former is made with multiple eggs and heavy cream. You need to treat your homemade pumpkin pie like you would a quiche. According to the FDA, homemade pumpkin pie can be left at room temperature for two hours, after which it is in danger of growing harmful bacteria.
"Pumpkin pie is technically a custard pie," said Valeri Lucks, founding partner and CEO of PIE Incorporated. "Homemade ones all need to be stored in the fridge because they do not have the preservatives and such that commercial bakeries use to make something room temp safe."
How to Tell if Your Pumpkin Pie Is Done Without Cutting It
Why Are Store-Bought Pies Not Refrigerated?
So that brings many of us to the question: Why are the pumpkin pies at the grocery store sitting out? Store-bought pumpkin pies include shelf-stable ingredients such as preservatives which allow them to last longer, even at room temp. If your pie was sold unrefrigerated in the store, it can continue to be stored on your counter until the sell-by date. In general, store-bought pies last about two to four days after their printed date in the refrigerator and about six to nine months in the freezer.
If your pumpkin pie does not have a sell-by date, and you bought it from a bakery or a place that baked the pumpkin pie in a traditional way (without preservatives), follow the homemade pumpkin pie rules above.
If you are planning to pick up a pumpkin pie from Cosco this year, make sure to stick it in the fridge once you get home. Cosco's pumpkin pies are preservative-free, so you'll need to treat them like a homemade pie. To spare yourself and your loved ones from a sickly Thanksgiving, it's always best practice to double-check to see if the pie you are getting from the store is made with or without preservatives.
How To Store Pumpkin Pie
Homemade pumpkin pie is safe in the fridge for two to four days, and you should refrigerate the pumpkin pie promptly after it cools. Place your pie in a sealed container or loosely wrap it in plastic wrap or foil to refrigerate. You can also bake your pumpkin pie weeks ahead of time and freeze it. Frozen pumpkin pie will stay good for up to one month, and will take 12 hours to thaw in the refrigerator. If you'd like to serve the pie room temp, take it out of the fridge one hour before serving—but be sure not to leave it out for more than two hours!
How Do I Know if My Pie Is Still Fresh?
There are a few ways to check if your pumpkin pie has gone rancid. Toss the pie if it has a foul smell, looks like it has excessive separation or weeping, or has grown mold. Homemade pie that has been left out for longer than two hours should be thrown away.
If you left any pumpkin pie out for too long, don't be tempted to roll the dice. Thanksgiving is about more than just pumpkin pie. It's about gratitude and family and friends—none of whom want to get sick!
12 Pumpkin Pie Toppings for When Plain Just Won't Do
FAQs
The short and easy answer: Yes, pumpkin pie needs to be stored in the refrigerator. The USDA advises that all "egg-rich pies" must be kept refrigerated after baking and cooling. Pumpkin pie falls into this category, along with custard, pecan, and meringue pies.
Why do stores not refrigerate pumpkin pie? ›
Most pumpkin pies that are commercially produced, like those you would buy at the store, are shelf stable because they have been cooked at a higher temperature. They also typically contain preservatives and producers have carefully controlled the acidity of the pie to reduce risk of bacterial growth.
Does Costco pumpkin pie need to be refrigerated? ›
The Costco pumpkin pie, for example, does not contain any preservatives. Though these pies may last longer, experts recommend that you refrigerate them when you bring them home. “Store-bought pies may have preservatives and other ingredients to make them shelf stable and prevent bacteria growth,” says Susie.
How long does pumpkin pie cool before refrigeration? ›
After baking, pie should be left at room temperature to cool for 2 to 4 hours. Within 4 hours, the pie should then be placed in the refrigerator and covered loosely with plastic wrap. Pie may be refrigerated for 2 to 3 days.
Can I leave a pie out overnight to cool? ›
If a pie contains eggs or dairy products, it should be stored in the refrigerator and not left out at room temperature for more than two hours. Pies that do not contain dairy products, such as fruit pies can be stored, loosely covered at room temperature for up to two days.
How long can a pumpkin pie sit out without refrigeration? ›
How Long Can Pumpkin Pie Be Left at Room Temperature? Your pumpkin pie can safely sit out on the kitchen counter for up to 2 hours, says the FDA. After that, you run the risk of bacterial growth.
Does pumpkin pie from Walmart need to be refrigerated? ›
On most occasions, yes, pumpkin pie needs to be refrigerated.
Why is Costco pumpkin pie so cheap? ›
How Costco Keeps Its Pumpkin Pie So Cheap. In their book, David and Susan disclose that Costco's pumpkin pies are only semi-homemade, which helps cut down on costs.
How long does pumpkin pie last unrefrigerated on Reddit? ›
Pumpkin pie can be kept at room temperature for 2 hours, refrigerated for 5 days, and frozen for 3 months. Store-bought pie will keep until the expiration date.
Do you need to refrigerate pumpkin pie or pecan pie? ›
Homemade egg-rich pies such as pecan, pumpkin, lemon meringue and custard must be kept refrigerated after cooking and cooling. Cream and chiffon pies must be stored in the refrigerator. These pies can be kept three to four days.
How Do You Store Pumpkin Pie? After baking the pie, let it cool, then wrap it completely in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Store the wrapped pie in the refrigerator up to two days ahead of Thanksgiving. If any moisture forms on the top of the refrigerated pie, gently blot it off with a paper towel.
Do you need to refrigerate Marie Callender's pumpkin pie? ›
Pie must be cooked thoroughly. Read and follow these cooking directions. Refrigerate unused portion for up to 3 days after baking. Marie's Baking Tips: If edges of pie begin to brown excessively, cover edges with a strip of aluminum foil and continue baking.
Why is my pumpkin pie wet on top overnight? ›
Another common problem that occurs when baking pumpkin pie is when you notice water on the top of the pie or leaking out from the filling. Why this happens: Either the pie was overbaked, or it was placed in the fridge before cooling completely.
Why is store-bought pumpkin pie not refrigerated? ›
Why Are Store-Bought Pies Not Refrigerated? So that brings many of us to the question: Why are the pumpkin pies at the grocery store sitting out? Store-bought pumpkin pies include shelf-stable ingredients such as preservatives which allow them to last longer, even at room temp.
Why is store-bought pecan pie not refrigerated? ›
According to the USDA, any pie that is egg-rich (such as pecan, pumpkin, lemon meringue, and any custard pie) must be kept in the fridge after baking and cooling. The exception here is some store-bought pies, which may contain preservatives that will allow the pies to be left unrefrigerated.
How long can pumpkin puree sit out? ›
Of course, the shelf life of pumpkin puree will also depend on how you store it and we'll discuss the best practices for both homemade and storebought canned pumpkin puree so it can stay fresh for as long as possible. Regardless of the type, don't leave your pumpkin puree at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
Do I need to refrigerate Publix pumpkin pie? ›
For food safety and quality cook before eating to an internal temperature of 160 degrees F. Store leftover baked pie loosely covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Does Sam's Club pumpkin pie need to be refrigerated? ›
Pumpkin pies purchased at room temperature from a grocery store may be stored at room temp. Homemade pumpkin pies should be refrigerated after cooling.
Do you have to refrigerate pumpkin and pecan pie? ›
Homemade egg-rich pies such as pecan, pumpkin, lemon meringue and custard must be kept refrigerated after cooking and cooling. Cream and chiffon pies must be stored in the refrigerator. These pies can be kept three to four days.
