Cooked beef should not be left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) states that cooked food can safely sit unrefrigerated for up to two hours; if the ambient temperature is 90°F (32°C) or above, this time is reduced to just one hour
. Beyond this time, bacteria can multiply rapidly, increasing the risk of foodborne illness. Reheating cooked beef that has been left out longer than this is not a reliable way to make it safe, because some bacteria produce heat-resistant toxins that are not destroyed by reheating
. Therefore, if cooked beef has been left out overnight or for several hours beyond the recommended limit, it should be discarded to avoid the risk of food poisoning
. In summary:
- Maximum safe time cooked beef can sit out at room temperature: 2 hours
- If temperature is 90°F or above: 1 hour
- Reheating does not guarantee safety if left out too long
- Discard cooked beef left out longer than these limits to avoid illness
