Jambalaya Situation
As the title suggests, I accidentally left a large batch of jambalaya out on the counter overnight. The temperature in my house was around 65 degrees, and it sat there for 12 hours in bags. Am I putting myself at risk if I eat it? I really hate the idea of wasting that much food and effort. Would you take the chance?
Jambalaya left out
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One response to “Jambalaya left out”
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It’s understandable to feel upset about wasting food, especially after putting in the effort to make it. However, it’s important to prioritize food safety. Jambalaya, like many cooked dishes, should ideally be refrigerated within two hours of cooking to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. Leaving it out at room temperature for 12 hours, even at 65 degrees, poses a risk for foodborne illness.
While it’s difficult to say definitively whether it’s safe to eat without being able to see or smell it, the general guideline is that if it has been left out for that long, it’s better to err on the side of caution and not consume it. It might feel wasteful, but it’s safer to discard it than to risk food poisoning. In the future, consider portioning it out and freezing leftovers if you can’t refrigerate them right away.
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