How long can cooked beef be left unrefrigerated?

Cooked beef should be refrigerated within two hours to maintain its safety. If the air temperature is above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, cooked meat should be refrigerated within one hour.

If cooked meat is not refrigerated properly, it can gain harmful bacteria and cause food poisoning when eaten. If there is any doubt about the meat’s safety, it is best to discard it.

Leftovers should be used within three or four days of refrigeration. The risk of food poisoning becomes greater after this amount of time. If an individual is unable to use the leftover meat within three or four days, the meat should be moved to the freezer.