Does Pecan Pie Need to be Refrigerated?

Wondering whether or not you should refrigerate that store-bought or homemade pecan pie? You’ll learn all about how to safely store this Thanksgiving dessert below!

A whole pecan pie has a perfectly golden crust.

No Thanksgiving meal would be complete without a rich and decadent pie to finish off the meal. Much like with pumpkin pie and sweet potato pie, most often wonder whether or not you should refrigerate pecan pie?

The quick answer is yes, you should refrigerate pecan pie.

But we’ll get into the more detailed storage instructions below as well as the best way to reheat it so it still tastes delicious!

Should You Refrigerate Pecan Pie?

According to the USDA, all egg-based and egg-rich pies, such as pecan, pumpkin, lemon meringue, and custard pies, should be refrigerated after baking and subsequent cooling. If leftovers are stored properly, they will generally last for up to 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator without sacrificing any of the tastes or flavor.

Not only is refrigerating pecan pie necessary for food safety and avoiding the incidence of harmful bacteria, but it will also give you the best tastes and texture to the filling.

While a general rule of thumb is to refrigerate ALL pecan pies, some store-bought pies may have additional preservatives that make them shelf-stable and able to be left unrefrigerated. However, always double-check with a knowledgeable employee of the bakery or store.

These same rules apply to chocolate chip pecan pie recipe, too.

A piece of pecan pie is shown on a plate with toasted pecans.

How to Store Pecan Pie?

After baking pecan pie in the oven, let it cool completely to room temperature.

Once cooled, wrap the entire pie and pan loosely in plastic wrap or a layer of aluminum foil. You don’t want it to be too tight or else excess moisture will accumulate when refrigerated.

Store pecan pie in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.

Before serving, remove the pie from the fridge and let sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes or up to 1 hour.

How to Freeze Pecan Pie?

Once baked, let the pecan pie come completely to room temperature and then refrigerate for at least 4 hours or up to overnight.

After it’s chilled, cut the pie into individual slices. Tightly wrap each one in a piece of wax paper in order to avoid freezer burn on the corn syrup filling and pie crust. Put the slices into a large gallon-sized zip-top bag. Lastly, place the bag of pieces in the freezer for up to 3-4 months.

How to Thaw Frozen Pecan Pie?

When ready to enjoy, let the previously frozen pecan pie slices thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Then, set them on the counter at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before enjoying.

Don’t want to wait that long after freezing? Simply unwrap the slice, place it on a microwave-safe plate, and reheat on 30% power for a couple of minutes, checking every 30 seconds until it’s thawed.