Many people find themselves asking if they can still eat pumpkin pie after it has been sitting out for a week. The answer depends on a few key factors related to food safety and quality.
Quick Answer
Generally, it is not recommended to eat pumpkin pie that is more than 4-5 days old. After 7 days, the quality and safety of the pie becomes questionable. However, an uncut whole pumpkin pie stored properly in the refrigerator has a slightly longer shelf life of 5-7 days.
How Long Does Pumpkin Pie Last?
The shelf life of pumpkin pie depends on several factors:
- Ingredients – dairy and egg-based custard fillings spoil faster than fruit or nut based pies.
- Storage temperature – colder temperatures in the refrigerator extend shelf life.
- Package integrity – covering tightly with plastic wrap protects the pie.
- Contamination – cutting into the pie exposes the insides to microbes.
- Preservatives – some pies contain preservatives to extend shelf life.
Taking these factors into account, here are some general guidelines for how long homemade pumpkin pie will last:
| Type of Pie | Refrigerator (40°F) |
|---|---|
| Whole uncut pie | 5-7 days |
| Pie slices | 3-4 days |
| Pie with whipped cream | 1-2 days |
As you can see, cutting into the pie shortens its shelf life. And the more perishable ingredients like whipped cream reduce freshness even further. So a whole intact pie lasts longer than sliced portions.
How to Tell if Pumpkin Pie Has Gone Bad
Here are some signs that your pumpkin pie may have spoiled and is no longer safe to eat:
- Mold growth – moldy spots or fuzzy patches indicate spoilage.
- Cracks in the crust – can allow bacteria to enter.
- Weeping liquid – watery fluid leaking from the filling.
- Sunken center – collapsed middle caused by bacterial growth.
- Shriveled pie – dried out and rubbery texture.
- Sour odor – spoiled pies give off unpleasant smells.
- Off colors – unnatural hues like blue, green or black.
Trust your senses – if the pumpkin pie smells, looks or feels bad, it’s best to discard it. Don’t risk eating spoiled food and getting sick.
Food Safety Risks
Why exactly do experts warn against eating older pumpkin pie? What are the risks?
There are a few main foodborne illnesses you can get from stale pumpkin pie:
Salmonella
Raw eggs used to make the custard can contain Salmonella bacteria. It can multiply to unsafe levels in the moist filling over time.
E. coli
Undercooked pumpkin puree may harbor E. coli if contaminated during growth or processing. Bacteria multiply as the pie ages.
Listeria
Listeria bacteria can contaminate dairy ingredients like milk and butter. Cut pieces are exposed and provide entry points.
Staph aureus
Staph bacteria from people’s hands can get into the pie filling and release toxins as they grow. Refrigeration slows their growth.
Consuming old pumpkin pie infected with large amounts of dangerous bacteria can cause symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, fever and cramps. The risks are not worth taking for the sake of eating a stale dessert.
Quality and Texture Changes
Aside from food safety issues, pumpkin pie also deteriorates in quality and texture over time:
- Dry, tough texture
- Mushy watery filling
- Crumbly crust
- Flattening of whipped cream
- Dull orange color
- Loss of spice flavors
The dessert dries out, its texture suffers, and flavor dulls. Even if it may not make you sick, an older pumpkin pie simply won’t taste as good.
How to Store Pumpkin Pie
To safely prolong the shelf life of pumpkin pie, follow these storage tips:
- Refrigerate pie immediately after baking. The colder the temperature, the longer it will last.
- Let the pie cool completely before refrigerating. Hot pie will warm the fridge and shorten life.
- Cover pie tightly in plastic wrap to prevent drying out and contamination.
- Avoid cutting into the pie until you are ready to serve it. Keeping it intact protects the insides.
- Eat refrigerated pie within 3-4 days for best quality and safety.
- Do not freeze slices of custard pie. The texture changes when thawed.
- Freeze unbaked pumpkin pie and unthawed pecan pie safely for 2-3 months.
Proper storage from the start helps maximize pumpkin pie’s shelf life and quality.
What to Do With Old Pumpkin Pie
If your pumpkin pie is past its prime, you have a couple options:
Compost It
Toss the pie in your compost bin or pile if you have one. The leftovers can fertilize soil in the garden. Ensure it is far away from animals.
Throw It Out
When in doubt, throw it out. Place the stale pie in the trash where animals and people cannot get into it. This is the safest option if you are unsure about its edibility.
Can You Make It Safe to Eat?
Is there any way to rescue an older pumpkin pie and make it safe to eat again?
Unfortunately, there is no reliable way to bring a spoiled pumpkin pie back to an edible state. Reheating will not get rid of dangerous bacterial contamination.
Here are some methods that will NOT make old pie safe again:
- Reheating or warming up
- Cooking it longer in the oven
- Microwaving it
- Freezing for storage
Once pumpkin pie has passed its prime, it’s best to just discard it and make a fresh pie when needed. Don’t take risks with old food.
How to Prevent Waste
To avoid having leftover pie going bad, here are some tips:
- Make smaller pies instead of one large pie if you have a small gathering.
- Cut the pie into slices right away and wrap individually to avoid cutting later.
- Cover tightly and store any leftovers immediately.
- Label the container with the date to keep track.
- Be conservative with leftovers – compost or discard after 4 days.
- Plan to use extras to make recipes like pumpkin parfaits or muffins.
With some forethought and portion planning, you can reduce the chances of pumpkin pie going to waste.
The Verdict
Here is the final verdict on whether 7 day old pumpkin pie is still edible:
No, pumpkin pie that has been sitting out for a full 7 days should not be eaten. Even when properly stored in the fridge, the quality and safety of pumpkin pie begins to decline after just 4-5 days. The moist custard filling can grow dangerous bacteria to unsafe levels after a week at refrigerator temperatures. For food safety, it is best to discard pumpkin pie after 7 days and make or purchase a fresh pie instead.
Conclusion
Eating week-old pumpkin pie is risky business and not recommended. Stick to enjoying your pumpkin pie within 3-5 days of baking for optimal freshness and flavor. Be sure to store it covered in the refrigerator right after it cools. Slice only what you will consume. Follow the signs of spoiled pie and never taste food that smells or looks bad. With some care when storing and portioning, you can have delicious pumpkin pie to enjoy without having to throw large amounts away.