The easiest way to know is to check the label or packaging. If the pie came in a sealed box or packaging with a sell-by date and was displayed at room temperature in the store rather than in a refrigerated section, it is very likely a shelf-stable commercially produced pie. If there is no label, or if the pie was homemade, purchased fresh from a local bakery counter, or bought from a small pastry shop, you should treat it as a perishable item that must be refrigerated within two hours.
When in doubt, do not hesitate to ask where you purchased it. A good bakery or grocery store will tell you whether their pies require refrigeration.
How Long Does Pumpkin Pie Last in the Refrigerator?
Once properly refrigerated, pumpkin pie — whether homemade or fresh-bakery — stays safe and good to eat for 3 to 4 days, according to both the USDA and FDA. To store it correctly, allow the pie to cool completely after baking before covering it. Then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, or place it in an airtight container, and store it in the refrigerator at 40°F or below. For store-bought pies with preservatives, refrigerating within 2 to 4 days of the sell-by date is the general guideline — and it is never wrong to refrigerate them sooner.
