Keeping a batch of homemade chicken salad in the fridge means there is always something delicious to eat. But once youve shredded your chicken, chopped your add-ins, and mixed in mayo, you only have three to four days to enjoy it, according to the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Two main ingredients in chicken salad are ripe for harboring bacteria: cooked chicken and mayo. Fresh fruits and vegetables, like apples, that go well with chicken salad can also go bad in just a few days. The bacteria may make you sick or affect the taste and texture of your dish, and of course, neither is desirable.
Chicken salad also shouldnt sit out of the fridge for more than two hours at a time. The USDA has designated a temperature range called the Danger Zone, between 40 degrees and 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Bacteria rapidly multiply in this range, so you want to keep cold food at 40 degrees or below and hot food at 140 degrees or above. Perishable cold foods like mayo-based salads cant sit out at room temp for long.
Keeping that Danger Zone in mind, its best not to let your chicken salad sandwich sit in a lunchbox all morning without proper ice packs, or leave your salad out in the hot sun at a picnic, for that matter. And given its short shelf life, you might avoid cooking chicken salad in huge quantities, unless you know youll eat it all within a few days.
Chicken salad is a cherished staple across the South. From filling up sandwiches to being served alongside crackers at parties, this versatile dish often makes frequent appearances at our tables.
But when it comes to leftovers, many of us wonder – how long does homemade chicken salad last in the fridge? Can we safely eat chicken salad after 3 or 4 days? What’s the best way to store it?
I’ve done a lot of research to find the answers because I love chicken salad. I’m going to tell you everything I know about how long chicken salad stays good for, along with some safe ways to make it last longer.
How Long Does Chicken Salad Stay Good In The Fridge?
The short answer is 3 to 4 days. According to the USDA, cooked chicken lasts 3-4 days refrigerated. And since chicken is the star ingredient homemade chicken salad follows the same timeline.
To be exact, the USDA recommends consuming cooked chicken within 3-4 days when stored properly at 40°F or below. The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services confirms this on their FoodSafety.gov site as well.
So once your chicken salad is made, transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the fridge, marking the prep date clearly on top. I’d recommend tossing it after 4 days max to stay on the safe side.
The same freshness rule applies to store-bought chicken salad – be sure to follow the use-by date printed on the packaging.
Why Chicken Salad Goes Bad
Two main types of bacteria are to blame when chicken salad goes south:
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Spoilage bacteria: These cause food to deteriorate in texture, taste, and smell.
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Pathogenic bacteria: These are the dangerous bugs that cause foodborne illness. They usually don’t affect the look or smell of food, which is why we can’t rely on sight and smell alone to determine if chicken salad has gone bad.
Since pathogenic bacteria could be present without any obvious signs, it’s critical to follow food safety guidelines. When in doubt, throw it out.
Proper Storage Tips for Chicken Salad
To store chicken salad safely, use these tips:
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Store it in the fridge in a glass or plastic container that won’t let air in. This prevents moisture loss and keeps bacteria at bay.
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Refrigerate at 40°F or below. Bacteria grow rapidly in the “danger zone” between 40-140°F.
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When transporting, put it in a well-chilled cooler or lunchbox. Never leave chicken salad above 40°F for over 2 hours total.
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Don’t let it sit out at room temp for more than 2 hours. Less time if it’s hot out.
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As soon as you take the container out of the fridge, the clock starts counting down to the table. This counts the time you spend in the cart and the drive home from the store.
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Some bacteria that make food go bad can grow even in the fridge, so throw it away after no more than 4 days to be safe.
Can You Freeze Chicken Salad?
Freezing chicken salad is not recommended. Although freezing at 0°F halts bacteria growth, chicken salad doesn’t hold up well in the freezer. It usually turns watery and the texture changes when thawed. So while it may be safe to eat, the quality really suffers. Stick to eating it fresh within 4 days.
Creative Ways To Use Up Leftovers
If you’ve got leftover chicken salad but are bored of sandwiches, here are some delicious ideas to use it up within 4 days:
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Change up flavors by adding nuts, fruit like apples or cranberries, different herbs and spices, etc.
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Make chicken salad wraps instead of sandwiches.
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Top a salad with scoops of chicken salad.
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Stuff it into a pita or hollowed out tomato or pepper.
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Make chicken salad melts by topping bread or biscuits with cheese and chicken salad then baking.
With proper refrigerated storage and creative ways to repurpose leftovers, you can safely enjoy homemade chicken salad for up to 4 days. Just be diligent about tossing it after that point.
How to keep your chicken salad safe as long as possible
Several factors encourage bacteria to multiply on your food: temperature, oxygen, time, lack of acidity, and moisture. A multi-pronged approach to combat all five will help keep germs at bay and your chicken salad safe. To tackle temperature, store your chicken salad in the coldest spot in the fridge. Usually, this is in the back or bottom. It is definitely not in the door, which is opened frequently and exposed to warm outside air.
An airtight seal on whatever bag or container you use to store your salad will lock out oxygen and moisture. When it comes to acidity, bacteria love a neutral pH environment. Adding an acid to your recipe can help. An acid could be a splash of lemon juice or vinegar, and it will also add flavor.
Unfortunately, the time factor is out of your control, but an obvious move is to limit the time your salad spends in the Danger Zone. Once bacteria enter their comfy and preferred temperature range, they can double in number after just 20 minutes. Your salad wont be dangerous to eat, but its total shelf life will likely decrease.
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FAQ
Can I eat 7 day old chicken salad?
No, it’s generally not safe to eat 7-day-old chicken salad. Chicken salad, especially when made with mayonnaise, is susceptible to bacterial growth after a few days, even when refrigerated.
How long does chicken salad with mayonnaise last in the fridge?
Chicken salad with mayonnaise should be consumed within 3 to 4 days when stored in the refrigerator. This guideline is based on recommendations from the USDA for cooked chicken and mayonnaise-based products.
How can you tell if chicken salad has gone bad?
Chicken salad that has gone bad will typically exhibit several noticeable signs: an off or sour smell, a change in texture (becoming slimy or watery), and discoloration (graying or other unusual color changes).
Can I eat 5 day old leftover chicken?
The USDA recommends that cooked chicken be consumed within 3-4 days when refrigerated. After that, the risk of bacterial growth and potential food poisoning increases. Heat can’t kill the toxins. If you ever need food call 2-1-1. I’m not a doctor but you can call ask your nurse 2-1-1 can help you with that also.