Shelf Life Tips
- How long does leftover General Tso™s chicken (Chinese food) last in the fridge or freezer? The precise answer to that question depends to a large extent on storage conditions - refrigerate General Tso™s chicken within two hours of cooking or purchasing.
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To maximize the shelf life of leftover General Tso™s chicken for safety and quality, refrigerate the General Tso™s chicken in airtight containers.
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Properly stored, leftover General Tso™s chicken will last for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator.
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To further extend the shelf life of leftover General Tso™s chicken, freeze it; freeze in covered airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags.
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How long does leftover General Tso™s chicken last in the freezer? Properly stored, it will maintain best quality for about 3 to 4 months, but will remain safe beyond that time.
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The freezer time shown is for best quality only - leftover General Tso™s chicken that has been kept constantly frozen at 0°F will keep safe indefinitely.
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How long does leftover General Tso™s chicken last after being frozen and thawed? Leftover General Tso™s chicken that has been thawed in the fridge can be kept for an additional 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator before cooking; General Tso™s chicken that was thawed in the microwave or in cold water should be eaten immediately.
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How long can leftover General Tso™s chicken be left at room temperature? Bacteria grow rapidly at temperatures between 40 °F and 140 °F; leftover General Tso™s chicken should be discarded if left out for more than 2 hours at room temperature.
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How to tell if leftover General Tso™s chicken is bad? If leftover General Tso™s chicken develops an off odor, flavor or appearance, or if mold appears, it should be discarded.
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