Green bean casserole is a popular staple at Thanksgiving and Christmas that can be made with canned or fresh green beans, and it’s easy to adjust to suit your taste. But now you have leftovers and wonder, how long does green bean casserole last?
Green bean casserole can last between three to four days in the fridge before becoming unsafe to consume. Even though it does not freeze well, it can be frozen for up to 2 months.
Keep reading to find out my best tips on its shelf life and how to store green bean casserole so that it lasts as long as possible.
How Long Can Green Bean Casserole Sit Out?
Two hours is the maximum time you can leave your green bean casserole sit out before bad bacteria that can make you sick multiply to dangerous levels.
These bacteria can cause food poisoning, so if you’ve forgotten about your green bean casserole for an extended time, it’s probably best to throw it out.
It doesn’t matter if you prepared your green bean casserole ahead of time and have it resting on the counter or if it was hot out of the oven when served and then sat on the table. It should be packed up before the 2-hour mark is up.
How Long Does Green Bean Casserole Last In The Fridge?
Your delicious green bean casserole should last up to four days in the fridge before it needs to go in the garbage.
And you should always check for signs of spoilage to make sure that you aren’t serving a medical emergency on a plate.
There are a lot of ingredients that can spoil quickly, such as cooked green beans and dairy, so you’ll have to use all your senses to figure out if it is still good.
How Long Does Green Bean Casserole Last In The Freezer?
Unfortunately, green bean casserole doesn’t freeze well. But if you decide to freeze it, you can expect it to last up to 2 months.
The problem with freezing is that it can become watery and mushy because of the green beans. When they are frozen, the plant cells are destroyed and release all the water from inside them.
Another issue is that the recipe uses cream or milk because these don’t freeze well either and can separate when thawed.
You can do a few things to help the freezing process, but overall, I don’t recommend freezing green bean casserole.
Best Way To Store Green Bean Casserole
The best way to store green bean casserole depends on how you plan to reheat it.
If you plan to serve all the leftovers in one sitting, it makes sense to cover the top with aluminum foil or plastic wrap and the lid if your casserole dish has one.
Just remember to remove the plastic if reheating in the oven!
If you plan to have a little bit each day over the following few days, it’s probably best to store one day’s worth in separate airtight plastic containers to help keep it fresh. The more you take it out, open, and close the lid, the shorter the shelf life.
Of course, you should use it up as quickly as possible because this side dish really doesn’t keep well.
How To Store Green Bean Casserole
Equipment
- 1 Airtight Container
Ingredients
- 1 Dish Green Bean Casserole Leftovers
Instructions
- Cool your casserole before storing it. If your casserole has been sitting out longer than 2 hours, throw it out to prevent foodborne illness.
- Covering your casserole with aluminum foil is best if you plan to reheat it in the oven. You can leave the foil on top and help keep some moisture locked in. Or cover with plastic wrap (remove when reheating). Or you can transfer your green bean casserole to airtight containers.
- Refrigerate for up to 4 days. However, it’s probably best to use it the following day and discard any leftovers afterward.
Notes
- Always check for spoilage. If it smells bad, looks bad, or has mold growing, you must throw it out.
- Reheat until the internal temp reaches at least 165°F and serve when ready.