How Long Is Pad Thai Good For In The Fridge? Explained

Last Updated on September 13, 2024 by Shari Mason

Storing Pad Thai, a **delicious dish from Thailand**, ensures it stays fresh and safe to eat. **Keeping it in the fridge** is crucial for this tasty meal, given its numerous ingredients.

But for how long is Pad Thai good in the fridge? Let’s see some tips to keep the Pad Thai fresh for a few days in the fridge. 

How Long Will Pad Thai Last In The Fridge?

Pad Thai can last up to three days when stored in the fridge. It features a balance of flavors, making it one of the most recognizable Thai dishes internationally [1].

“Spicy, sour, sweet, salty, and bitter flavors all make appearances in a single dish, and pad Thai is no exception.”

– Kelly Iverson, Freelance Writer, and Photographer

This dish usually has rice noodles, sliced chicken breasts, eggs, fish sauce, tamarind broth, brown or palm sugar, carrots, crushed red pepper flakes, and lime wedges.

Read:

• Best Tom Yum Paste
• Why Did Kraft Discontinue Chicken Noodle Dinner?
• How To Keep Pasta In Soup From Absorbing Liquid?
• How Long Will Stuffing Last In The Fridge?

Factors To Consider

Homemade

You must only keep your homemade Pad Thai in the fridge for about three to four days. Let the dish cool completely after cooking before storing it in a tightly sealed container.

Or, if you have any leftovers, refrigerate them immediately. 

Leaving cooked dishes at room temperature for more than two hours might lead to food poisoning.

Store Bought

Many stores and restaurants would replace some of Pad Thai’s important ingredients, altering its complex flavors and shelf life. Therefore, following the USDA’s guideline to refrigerate leftovers for only three to four days would be safer. 

You can also depend on the expiry date, but you should still avoid storing store-bought Pad Thai for a long time.

Properly Stored

The best thing to do after cooking or buying Pad Thai is to consume it within the day. It won’t be good as leftovers, especially if you let it sit at room temperature for a few hours.

Refrigerating can make your Pad Thai last for a few more days until you reheat it for consumption. 

Should Pad Thai Be Stored In The Fridge?

Yes, Pad Thai should be stored in the fridge, especially leftovers. Let the dish cool completely to prevent it from getting overcooked or soggy when stored in the fridge. 

Transfer your Pad Thai into an airtight container before refrigerating. Due to its ingredients, Pad Thai won’t last very long at room temperature before harmful bacteria start growing.

How To Tell If It Has Gone Bad

Texture

As mentioned, Pad Thai combines ingredients that require proper storage. For instance, leaving it in the fridge for a few days with an open container would cause the dish to dry and harden. 

The noodles may also turn mushy if you have already mixed them with a sauce and stored it in the freezer. 

Odor

The smell of Pad Thai would turn overly sour or a bit like a wet dog once it has gone bad. It would only start to smell stronger the longer you keep it stored.

It may make you sick if you consume dishes with that “off” smell, so we recommend you consume the Pad Thai immediately.

Appearance

Another sign that you must throw that Pad Thai leftover is when its color starts to change. The sauce would turn dark brown or purple, and the noodles would turn yellow. 

Moreover, the noodles would clump together, and the sauce would develop a film on top, giving it an unappetizing look.

Can You Freeze Pad Thai?

Yes, you can freeze Pad Thai for about two months, but remember a few points. It would be better to store the noodles uncooked and have a separate container for the sauce.  

Mixing the sauce with the noodles would alter the texture and flavor of the dish, especially during the thawing and reheating process.

Tips & Tricks To Keep Pad Thai Fresh In The Fridge

• Store the Pad Thai in an airtight container or a bowl covered with cling wrap.
• Make sure that it has cooled completely before storing it in the fridge.  
• You must avoid storing Pad Thai leftovers in the fridge for more than four days. The bacteria growth would increase after that, causing foodborne illnesses if you consume the food [2]. 
• If the Pad Thai has been at room temperature for more than four hours, don’t refrigerate it and simply discard it.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

For cooked rice noodles like Pad Thai, it would be best to consume them immediately after cooking or buying them. It contains many ingredients that can shorten its shelf life, so refrigerating is a good choice if you have any leftovers. 

However, you should not let your cooked dish sit in the fridge for more than four days because it will create a good environment for bacteria to grow. 

Keep your dish in an airtight container before placing it in the refrigerator. 

References:

1. https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/650530/pad-thai-food-history
2. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/expert-answers/food-safety/faq-20058500