Does pecan pie need to be refrigerated? Yes, both store-bought pies and homemade pies do. Learn the best way to preserve the flavor of the filling by safely storing your pecan pie in the refrigerator (and also prevent getting a soggy crust!) You can even freeze pecan pie so it lasts well past Thanksgiving dinner!
Should You Refrigerate Pecan Pie?
Yes, you should refrigerate leftover pecan pie between servings. According to the USDA, all egg-based and egg-rich pies, such as pecan, pumpkin, lemon meringue, cream pies, and custard pies, should be refrigerated after baking and subsequent cooling. If leftovers are stored properly, they will generally last for up to 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator without sacrificing any of the tastes or flavor.
Not only is refrigerating pecan pie necessary for food safety and avoiding the incidence of harmful bacteria, but it will also give you the best tastes and texture to the filling as well as the pie crust.
While a general rule of thumb is to refrigerate ALL pecan pies, some store-bought pecan pie may have additional preservatives and more shelf-stable ingredients which make them able to be left unrefrigerated for longer periods of time. However, always double-check the sell-by date on the package because no one wants food poisoning during the holiday season!
These same rules apply when asking “does pumpkin pie need to be refrigerated“, too.
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How to Store Pecan Pie?
After baking pecan pie in the oven, let it cool completely to room temperature on the kitchen counter.
Once cooled, wrap the whole pie and pan loosely in a layer of plastic wrap or aluminum foil. You don’t want it to be too tight or else excess moisture will accumulate when refrigerated. You can also individually wrap slices in parchment paper.
Store pecan pie in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.
Before serving, remove the pie from the fridge and let sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes or up to 1 hour.
Beyond a traditional pecan pie recipe, this same process applies to classic pumpkin pie, sweet potato pie, chocolate pecan pie bars, and chocolate chip pecan pie!
How long can a pecan pie stay unrefrigerated?
Pecan pies can safely sit at room temperature for up to 2 hours, according to the FDA. After this time, the pie is at risk of harmful bacterial growth which can lead to food borne illnesses and should be safely stored in the refrigerator.
What pies do not need to be refrigerated?
Dairy-free pies, such as fruit pies, do not need to be refrigerated and can last on the counter for up to 2-3 days. Egg-based and dairy-filled pies need to be refrigerated between servings and can only last up to two hours at room temperature.
How to Freeze Pecan Pie?
Once baked, let the pecan pie come completely to room temperature and then refrigerate for at least 4 hours or up to overnight.
After it’s chilled, cut the pie into individual slices. Tightly wrap each one in a piece of wax paper in order to avoid freezer burn on the corn syrup filling and pie crust. Put the slices into a large gallon-sized zip-top bag. Lastly, place the bag of pieces in the freezer for up to 3-4 months.
(Learn more about can you freeze pecan pie.)
How to Thaw Frozen Pecan Pie?
When ready to enjoy, let the previously frozen pecan pie slices thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Then, set them on the counter at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before enjoying.
Don’t want to wait that long after freezing? Simply unwrap the slice, place it on a microwave-safe plate, and reheat on 30% power for a couple of minutes, checking every 30 seconds until it’s thawed.
More Pecan Recipes
Have some extra pecans and need to use them up? Check out these easy pecan dishes to try next:
