When you hit that two-hour mark, leftovers should be refrigerated. (Keep an eye on the temperature with a thermometer like this.)įood can only be kept at that “middle zone” temperature for up to 2 hours. If you have food out at a party, chances are the temperature will end up somewhere between 40 and 140 degrees. Food safety rules say that food should be refrigerated below 40 degrees F, or kept hot above 140 degrees F.
(Keeping cold foods cold is another challenge you can read about how to do that here.) Keeping your main course and all the sides hot until it’s time to eat can be done using some of the things you already have in your kitchen! How Long Can You Leave Food Out?īefore we jump into the different ways you can keep hot foods hot, we need to talk about how long you can keep food out.
One of the biggest challenges with a big meal, a buffet-style dinner, or a potluck can be making sure that all the hot foods stay hot. Use these simple tips and tricks to keep hot foods hot while you’re still cooking, on a buffet table, at a potluck, or while you’re on your way to the party!
