How long can meat sauce be left out?

Question

I made red meat sauce with meatballs in it. It was boiling hot. at 9PM I forgot to refrigerate. At 6 AM it put it in the frigerator.
Is it still good?

Answer 1

its probably fine. if your house isn't incredibly hot or humid. think of it another way. have you ever made a pot of sauce at 9 in the morning and served it for dinner? you wouldn't refrigerate. it would sit on the stove until ready.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

It's such a bummer to say this, but I would throw it away. Leftover food can be left out for about two hours before bacteria grow to a level that will not be destroyed when you reheat the food. I understand how difficult it is to throw away food, but I would also feel bad if someone got sick from eating the sauce.

Answer 4

Food should be kept cooler than 40 degrees but hotter than 140. 40-140 is what is called the danger zone. If the temperature drops between those degrees bacteria will exponate at a higher pace. So it depends on the temp of the room. I would not take a chance...but if you do...make sure you reheat it to a temp greater than 140 for a substantial length of time.

Answer 5

dont let the bacteria fear mongers scare you my family is sicilian and we make a red meat sauce every year left on low heat 12-15 hrs a day for three days when not on the heat its still left on the stove top. my family has made it this way for almost 100 years and noonehas died or gotten ill from it . btw its almost the same for tomatoe based chili bacteria has a very hard time growing in acid rich foods.

Answer 6

I wouldn't eat it but I used to work at a restaurant that cooked meatballs for meatball subs- it sat in the same pan- a glass double boiler- for EVER. only added more sauce or meatballs as needed.
Nobody died or complained. They did complain about the mold on the pastrami- but we were told to cut that off and sell it anyhow. BON Appetit

Answer 7

from:[e-mail] I wud'nt trust the red meat sauce,it is made with red meat and you did leave it out over night.Better to be safe than sorry,rather than havin a belly ache or worse.So if I were you I wud'nt eat it.

Answer 8

It will be just fine. I wouldn't worry too much especially if it was covered. I've done it before and lived to tell the tale.

Answer 9

probably not. it's meat and if it's left out too long after being cooled, then it's probably not safe to eat it anymore.

Answer 10

i have done this before myself...it is completely fine .