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Original poster

Old stew - is it safe to eat?

28 replies

nevermind222 · 16/09/2026 08:44

I made a lamb stew on Saturday and ate it that evening. I left the leftovers in the slow cooker overnight. On Sunday morning I portioned the leftovers into two Tupperware boxes and put them in the fridge. Is it safe to eat a portion today or should I throw them away?

OP posts:
TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne · 16/09/2026 08:45

I would eat one and freeze the other.

LetMeStayInBed · 16/09/2026 08:47

You left it cooking in the slow cooker or just sitting in a warm environment? If cooking it will be fine if sitting I would dispose.

Nannyfannybanny · 16/09/2026 08:49

me personally I don't actually eat meat,here in the SE UK, the overnight temperatures are high teens, I wouldn't have left it overnight in a kitchen. it would have been in the fridge as soon as it cooked off. Then frozen. I would eat anything 4 days later,no.

Original poster
nevermind222 · 16/09/2026 08:50

LetMeStayInBed · 16/09/2026 08:47

You left it cooking in the slow cooker or just sitting in a warm environment? If cooking it will be fine if sitting I would dispose.

I turned off the slow cooker, ate a portion and left the rest sitting in the slow cooker overnight. I have done that before and reheated the next day with no problems. It’s the fact it’s now Wednesday that has made me pause!

OP posts:
Original poster
nevermind222 · 16/09/2026 08:50

Nannyfannybanny · 16/09/2026 08:49

me personally I don't actually eat meat,here in the SE UK, the overnight temperatures are high teens, I wouldn't have left it overnight in a kitchen. it would have been in the fridge as soon as it cooked off. Then frozen. I would eat anything 4 days later,no.

Yes, ideally I would have refrigerated it straight away.

OP posts:
MajorSamanthaCarter · 16/09/2026 08:51

Bin it.

Ablondiebutagoody · 16/09/2026 08:55

It will be at its best. Eat it

Lastqueenofscotland2 · 16/09/2026 08:56

I’m minging so a low bar for such things and I wouldn’t eat something made on Saturday on Wednesday…

Minasama · 16/09/2026 08:57

My rule is two days.

Newmeagain · 16/09/2026 08:58

No, definitely don’t eat it. Next time put the leftovers in the freezer straight away.

Newmeagain · 16/09/2026 08:58

No, definitely don’t eat it. Next time put the leftovers in the freezer straight away.

Nolongera · 16/09/2026 08:59

Lastqueenofscotland2 · 16/09/2026 08:56

I’m minging so a low bar for such things and I wouldn’t eat something made on Saturday on Wednesday…

This.

It has been sitting for ages in the temperature range that breeds bacteria.

And I will eat owt, I once ate a kebab out of a bin.

LorenaWood · 16/09/2026 09:00

Ofc my husband and the dog would eat it! I'd have a salad 😂

Travellingshoes · 16/09/2026 09:02

I have to cool things over ight when I cook late. No issues yet from putting food innthe fridge in the morning.

Original poster
nevermind222 · 16/09/2026 09:03

Darn it - kicking myself for not putting in the freezer as it was delicious! What a waste.

OP posts:
Mulledjuice · 16/09/2026 09:05

nevermind222 · 16/09/2026 09:03

Darn it - kicking myself for not putting in the freezer as it was delicious! What a waste.

Eat it. Heat it well so piping hot.

XiCi · 16/09/2026 09:08

If you left it sitting at room temperature all night before refrigerating it needs binning. Thats about 8 hrs where bacteria multiplies really fast. Putting it in the fridge after that makes no difference at all

Credittocress · 16/09/2026 09:09

Do you have a partner you can test a portion out on?

DoveTree · 16/09/2026 09:11

I would eat it.

beaglescurleduplikebagels · 16/09/2026 09:12

I’d eat it as long as it was heated through properly first.

CanterThroughChaos · 16/09/2026 09:14

Nope 🤢🤮

Original poster
nevermind222 · 16/09/2026 09:14

XiCi · 16/09/2026 09:08

If you left it sitting at room temperature all night before refrigerating it needs binning. Thats about 8 hrs where bacteria multiplies really fast. Putting it in the fridge after that makes no difference at all

To be honest if it was the next day I’d eat it, no worries (I’ve done that plenty of times). It’s just the fact that it’s now Wednesday that’s made me think twice.

OP posts:
backformoreofthesame · 16/09/2026 09:18

Pushing it - I wouldn’t need to - if they had been reheated before fridge or popped in freezer it would be better but it’s been mild to warm ….

LadyGardenersQuestionTime · 16/09/2026 09:29

I’d eat it without a second thought. Just make sure it’s properly heated up.

bebanjo · 16/09/2026 09:35

If it smells ok and you heat it well it would be fine.