What temperature do you need to reheat leftovers to?

Reheating leftovers to a temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit is essential for ensuring food safety. This temperature is high enough to effectively kill harmful bacteria that may have grown on the food during storage. It is particularly important for leftovers, which may have been stored for a period of time and could potentially harbor pathogens.

At 165 degrees, both the surface and the interior of the food items reach a temperature adequate to eliminate the risk of foodborne illness. This temperature standard is supported by food safety guidelines, which emphasize the importance of thorough reheating to protect health. The other temperatures listed—145, 180, and 200 degrees—do not meet the recommended minimum for reheating leftovers to ensure safety. While they may still be safe under certain circumstances, they do not serve as the baseline for preventing illness from improperly stored food.