How Long Is Pumpkin Pie Good For?

For many people, Thanksgiving dinner is not complete until pumpkin pie is served. On the day of, you might be tempted to bake the pie early in the morning and then leave it on the counter while you focus on the turkey and delicious side dishes. But is it okay to sit out?

Generally, once cut, all pies should be wrapped and refrigerated. But if you're baking your pie ahead of time, there are a few things to consider. Here's how long you can store homemade pumpkin pie, how the rules change for store-bought pies, and how to tell if pumpkin pie has gone bad.

How Long Does Pumpkin Pie Last on the Counter?

Whether you've baked your pumpkin pie using the filling from a can or from a fresh pumpkin, the rules are the same. Because the pie is made of custard (which includes milk and eggs), pumpkin pie is less forgiving than fruit-filled pies and cannot be left on the counter for too long.

Because bacteria grow rapidly at temperatures between 40 F and 140 F, homemade pumpkin pie is only good for two hours sitting out at room temperature. After that, refrigerate your pie. If you left your pie out longer than a few hours, look for any "off" smell or appearance before serving. And, of course, if mold appears, toss that pie.

How Long Does Pumpkin Pie Last in the Fridge?

Freshly baked pumpkin pie will keep for about three to four days in the fridge. You should cover it loosely with aluminum foil or plastic wrap to store it.

Because pumpkin pie is delicious cold, you can serve it straight from the fridge (with plenty of whipped cream, if you please). If you prefer, you could take it out of the fridge a couple of hours beforehand, so it comes to room temperature safely.

Store-Bought Pumpkin Pie

Store-bought pumpkin pie is more forgiving thanks to preservatives. Look at the date on the package. If the pumpkin pie was sitting at room temperature in the store, it can continue to be stored on your counter until the sell-by date.

In general, store-bought pies last two to four days after their printed date in the refrigerator and about six to nine months in the freezer. Pumpkin pies purchased from bakeries likely do not contain preservatives and, therefore, should be treated like homemade pies.

How to Freeze and Thaw Pumpkin Pie

Frozen homemade pumpkin pie will stay good for up to one month if you want your bake your dessert ahead of Thanksgiving. Here's how to freeze it:

1. Bake the pie in a disposable aluminum pie pan to avoid ice crystals.
2. Cool it completely to avoid affecting the texture of your crust.
3. Tightly seal the pie with multiple layers of plastic wrap then a single layer of foil for extra protection.
4. Place the pie on a level freezer shelf where the pie will stay for up to a month.
5. The day before Thanksgiving, remove your pie from the freezer and take off the cover.
6. Defrost frozen pumpkin pie in the refrigerator for at least 12 hours. Do not thaw it on the counter as that can result in a soggy crust or a spoiled pie.
7. If you want cool pie, serve it directly from the fridge. If you want it served at room temperature, remove it from the fridge an hour before serving.
8. When it comes time to serve, cover up any dips or blemishes with whipped cream.