Though Ree Drummond admits to being inexplicably scared of pecan pie as a kid, "slowly but surely, it skyrocketed to the very top of my all-time favorite pies on this earth," she explains. And she's not alone! Pecan pie ranks right up there as one of the best holiday pies, especially as a Thanksgiving dessert.
There's really nothing to be afraid of, after all, especially when you're armed with her tips and tricks for making it. You might be wondering whether you chop your pecans or use pecan halves? (Ree prefers the crunchy chopped pieces in pecan recipes.) And how do you know when your pecan pie is baked? (Just give it a jiggle before you take it out of the oven.) Then, there's the age-old question: Does pecan pie need to be refrigerated?
In simple terms: Yes. There are a few reasons why, especially as it pertains to food safety. No one wants to get sick during the holidays! After baking, let your pie cool completely, then stick it in the fridge. Just be sure to take the pie out of the fridge about 30 minutes before you intend to serve it so the filling can soften up a little bit. Now read on for all the reasons why you should refrigerate your pecan pie.
Does Pecan Pie Need to Be Refrigerated?
Yes, you should refrigerate your pecan pie and it has to do with its ingredients. Pecan pie is made with a decadent mixture of sugar, corn syrup, vanilla, butter, eggs, and of course lots of pecans. According to the USDA, any pie that is egg-rich (including pumpkin, lemon meringue, and any custard pie) must be kept in the fridge after baking and cooling.
Refrigerating pecan pie is important for food safety, but it's also the key to getting that perfect slice. That's because refrigeration allows the filling to set completely, making it easier to get a clean cut with a stable interior.
The exception here is some store-bought pies, which may contain preservatives that will allow the pies to be left unrefrigerated. However, before you leave a store-bought pecan pie out on the counter, be sure to check with the bakery or store (or check the label for storage instructions) to make sure it is safe.
How Long Can Pecan Pie Be Left at Room Temperature?
You can leave a pecan pie out of the fridge for up to four hours—just be sure to refrigerate it after that. If you've just baked your pie, be sure to let it cool completely before refrigerating—this is also an important step for food safety, as you don't want to put a piping hot pie in the fridge. If you have leftover pie after the big feast, store it in the fridge.
How Long Does Pecan Pie Last?
According to the USDA, your homemade pie will last for three to four days when stored in the fridge properly wrapped in plastic wrap, aluminum foil, or a pie storage container. Store-bought pies will last the same amount of time unless otherwise stated on the label. When pies contain preservatives, they may last significantly longer but will state so on the packaging. You should still wrap it regardless.
How to Store Pecan Pie
It's pretty easy! Store-bought pies can simply be left in their packaging and placed right in your refrigerator until you're ready to serve. If you baked the pie from scratch, be sure to let it cool for two hours, then lightly wrap in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Be careful not to ruin the beautiful crimp work you've done on the crust!
Looking to get a head start on holiday baking? You can also freeze your pecan pie and add it to your list of make-ahead Thanksgiving recipes. Bake your pie and let it cool completely and then wrap and store it the same way you would freeze pumpkin pie. First, wrap the entire pie three times with plastic wrap and then cover in a layer of heavy-duty aluminum foil. Store flat in the freezer.
To defrost a frozen pie, let it thaw out overnight in the refrigerator. Before you serve it, allow it to sit out at room temperature for a half hour or so to let it warm up. You can also pop it in the oven at 350 degrees for ten minutes. Leftovers should then be refrigerated.
