How long can you keep leftover roast lamb?

Is leftover lamb best-served cold? Or is it worth potentially overcooking or drying it out by reheating it?

To put this debate to bed, I’ve tried several different roast lamb reheating methods.

And I’m pleased to inform you that it is entirely possible to reheat roast lamb to moist, succulent perfection.

You just need to work gently.

In this post, I’ll take you through each reheating technique in detail, as well as how best to store your leftovers.

A note on my experiment

How long can you keep leftover roast lamb?
How long can you keep leftover roast lamb?

Call me a traditionalist, but I love a roast lamb dinner.

Generally speaking, leftovers are par for the course.

This is why I’ve experimented with seven different ways to warm up roast lamb that won’t leave it dry, tough, or overcooked.

The techniques I tried included:

  • In the oven (a hassle-free method that produces good results)
  • In the microwave (convenient and heats meat evenly)
  • In a water bath (slow and not very hot, but no moisture loss)
  • In gravy (great for flavor-infused, saucy meat)
  • In an air fryer (similar to oven but can burn easily)
  • In a skillet (great results but doesn’t heat evenly)
  • In a steamer (best for tender, succulent meat)

The oven method worked well and kept my meat pink and moist on the inside without sacrificing flavor.

Similarly, the microwave kept it succulent without drying it out at all.

My water bath method (sous vide) was a bit hit and miss. The lamb was warm, but only after some trial and error.

Lamb heated in gravy is delicious so long as you don’t overcook it. It can easily turn tough if left for too long.

The air fryer worked really well (much like the oven), but you need to keep an eye not to burn your meat.

The skillet method delivers a nice fried flavor and a crispy outside but can be a bit greasy.

As for the steamer, I would recommend this method for retaining 100% of the flavor and texture of your lamb.

Note: Leftover roast lamb can be eaten cold, provided it is stored safely in the fridge within two hours of cooling.

There is a chance your lamb will have a slightly different flavor when reheated, as the proteins in meat continue to transform as it cools, breaking down the nutrients that impact taste and texture.

Reheating roast lamb in the oven

How long can you keep leftover roast lamb?
How long can you keep leftover roast lamb?

Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). While it warms up, let your lamb reach room temperature out of the fridge. Drizzle a few spoons of leftover liquid (stock or juices) over the portion you wish to reheat. Wrap your lamb loosely in foil and place it on a wire rack to heat. It could take up to 90 minutes.

Remove your meat from the oven once its internal temperature has reached just below 145°F (60°C).

To test this, use a temperature probe if you have one. If not, insert a sharp knife into the center of the meat and feel how warm it is when pulled out.

How to reheat roast lamb in the oven:

  1. Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C).
  2. Take your lamb out of the fridge and let it reach room temperature.
  3. Drizzle a spoon or two of leftover stock or cooking juices over your lamb.
  4. Wrap your desired portion loosely in foil.
  5. Place the wrapped lamb on a wire rack.
  6. Warm in the oven for approximately 20-25 minutes per pound. Timings will vary a lot based on oven type and your cut of meat.
  7. Once heated, allow the lamb to rest before serving.

You should always heat roast lamb at a low temperature to prevent recooking it (the aim is just to warm it up).  

If you’re reheating sliced lamb, you won’t need as much time in the oven.

Whole lamb, in turn, should be removed from the oven 5°F to 10°F before reaching your preferred temperature as it will continue to warm while it rests.

Using a wire rack will ensure even heating, whereas a baking sheet may transfer excess heat to only one side of your meat.

When things in the fridge start to mold, ooze, or smell, you know it’s time to throw them out. But how do you avoid getting to that point?

How long do leftovers last?

According to the FDA Food Code, all perishable foods that are opened or prepared should be thrown out after 7 days, maximum. No leftovers should survive in your fridge for longer than that. Some foods should be even be thrown away before the 7 day mark. Refer to expiration dates and food safety guidelines to know how to handle specific foods. The chart below from Foodsafety.gov is a useful guide for food in the fridge.

How to make leftover food last longer

If you want your leftovers to last longer, freeze them. Just be sure to keep track of how long you had it in the fridge before you put it in the freezer. Freezing stops bacterial growth in its tracks like a car at a red light. When you thaw your food, however, the light turns green and bacterial growth continues from where it left off. So, according to the chart below, steak that was in the fridge for 3 days before it was frozen will be good for 1 to 2 days after it is thawed. Remember that frozen foods are safe indefinitely, so the following guidelines for freezer food refer to food quality, not safety.

Check out our chart to see if there’s any food in your fridge or freezer that needs to be thrown out.

CategoryFoodRefrigerator
(40 °F or below)Freezer
(0 °F or below)SaladsEgg, chicken, ham, tuna, & macaroni salads3 to 5 daysDoes not freeze wellHot dogsOpened package1 week1 to 2 monthsUnopened package2 weeks1 to 2 monthsLunch meatOpened package or deli sliced3 to 5 days1 to 2 monthsUnopened package2 weeks1 to 2 monthsBacon & sausageRaw bacon7 days1 monthRaw sausage made from chicken, turkey, pork, or beef1 to 2 days1 to 2 monthsHamburger & other ground meatsRaw hamburger, ground beef, turkey, veal, pork, lamb, & mixtures of them1 to 2 days3 to 4 monthsRaw beef, veal, lamb, & porkSteaks3 to 5 days6 to 12 monthsChops3 to 5 days4 to 6 monthsRoasts3 to 5 days4 to 12 monthsRaw poultryChicken or turkey, whole1 to 2 days1 yearChicken or turkey, pieces1 to 2 days9 monthsSoups & StewsVegetable or meat added3 to 4 days2 to 3 monthsLeftoversCooked meat or poultry3 to 4 days2 to 6 monthsChicken nuggets or patties3 to 4 days1 to 3 monthsPizza3 to 4 days1 to 2 months

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Learn about this and more in the StateFoodSafety Food Handler Course.

— Suzanna Sandridge

Editor’s note: This post was originally published in January 2014 and has been updated for freshness, accuracy, and comprehensiveness.

Can you eat cooked lamb after 5 days?

Leftovers can be kept for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. After that, the risk of food poisoning goes up. If you don't think you'll be able to eat leftovers within four days, freeze them right away. Frozen leftovers will stay safe for a long time.

How long will leftover roast lamb last in the fridge?

You can safely store cooked lamb for up to three days in the fridge, or for up to two months in the freezer. Make sure it's fully defrosted before using and, if it's been frozen once, don't re-freeze. Reheat until steaming hot throughout.

Can you eat 6 day old cooked lamb?

Use cooked lamb within 2 hours (1 hour if the air temperature is above 90 °F) or refrigerate it at 40 °F or below in shallow, covered containers. Eat it within 3 to 4 days, either cold or reheated to 165 °F. It is safe to freeze ready-prepared lamb dishes. For best quality, use within 2 to 3 months.

Is cooked lamb good after 3 days?

Ground lamb can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two days; cooked lamb is at its best refrigerated no longer than four days. Use an appliance thermometer and maintain a temperature of 34 to 38 °F.