It wasn’t until I had a German roommate when I learned that nothing had to be refrigerator? She made us thanksgiving (she’s a great cook) and left the turkey out on the counter for a week and we ate and were fine. Is there a risk? Yes. But it’s probably smaller than we think. I never refrigerate butter, or pizza!

I would never eat food that’s been left out overnight, but I henpeck on food all day now instead of eating 3 big meals. So it’s pointless for me to put something in the fridge fast just to hear a little up again. But 4-5 hours seems about right. I think that’s max

Food can sit out until the meal is "over" — meaning, enough time that you can sit and have great conversations with loved one. I think anything approaching 5 hours starts to get dicey. If it stays out longer than that, it goes directly in the trash. 

Think it depends on what's in the food, what temperature the room is, and if it's homemade or store-bought food. Store-bought food (or takeout) has so many preservatives in it, I worry less about leaving it out for longer, regardless of what's in it. If it's really hot and humid or there is egg or dairy in it, I don't push it past a few hours. 

Also, learned that salted butter can stay out for like days. DAYS! It's great to always have soft butter. Now I know why my grandma has a butter dish.

What is your rule of thumb with leaving food out at room temperature? Also eating food that was left outside?

My mom always says that cooked food needs to be refrigerated within three hours, especially things containing eggs milk and meat, or you run the risk of getting sick. My house is about 68 degrees to combat the Florida heat so in my mind four hours is the max. As for outside food, the heat is so unbearable I don’t really do past two hours.

But people, (such as the summer house crew, drunk friends, most men in general) will legit eat leftovers that were left out all night. Especially pizza. 

I was also speaking to people from different countries and they say since sometimes refrigeration is a luxury, they eat their leftover sides  like rice and mashed potatoes for days without refrigeration and it’s totally fine.

What is your rule of thumb? Do you have none? When do you say ‘ok, this has been left out too long, let’s throw it away’?

Help everyone’s answer is so different