If you ordered a Taco Salad from Wendy’s, and accidentally left half of it out overnight, is it still SAFE to eat?

He was smart, he’s gonna down the whole thing
United States
May 28, 2025 6:27am CST
Hi friends and top of the marnin’ to ya. Late yesterday afternoon I got a Wendy’s Taco Salad and ate half of it, left the other half on my bed right next to me. Of course I passed out for wayyy too many hours, my plan was to wake up in the middle of the night and finish it. But now here it is, 7:20 a.m. and I’ve already started work and I’m looking at this Taco Salad wondering if it’s still edible. It has lettuce, cheese, sour cream, and of course the side of chili. I don’t eat much of the chili but I do like to add a little in the corner just for kicks. I hate to waste food. I hate to waste anything. But I don’t wanna get sick. Would you eat it? There’s also the option of putting it in my mini-fridge now, until later. Maybe it’s too late for any of that, Idk. Thoughts? I’ll be back later, might put it in fridge in case it’s still salvageable. I have FORTY-FIVE notifications and I am fully aware. Not ignoring anyone. Thanks! See ya in a bit
10 people like this
11 responses
@MarieCoyle (44283)
28 May
No. Do not eat any of it. Lettuce that has been prepped and touched by hands has bacteria that can grow in that length of time. Meat and sour cream, a huge no. I honestly do know what I am talking about, I have been schooled in this, and taught food safety and sanitation into colleges. Please don’t eat it. It’s not worth food poisoning!!
2 people like this
• United States
29 May
I didn’t eat it. I kept thinking about that lettuce too.. it’s kinda wet, and I am a firm believer in water catching its own bacteria. Like when you have water in a water bottle sitting out for a few days and then you feel kinda sick after taking just that one sip because you need to swallow a pill and it’s right there. Thanks Marie, you are very knowledgeable on this.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (44283)
14h
@Melanie_Marie I am glad you didn't eat it. I kept thinking, please don't eat it...food poisoning is just so miserable.
@DaddyEvil (149355)
• United States
28 May
The salad should still be okay. The chili definitely wouldn't be safe to eat. The cheese should be safe enough to eat except it will be hard and yucky after leaving it out that long. Do NOT eat the sour cream! I'd only eat that if I wanted to get sick to get out of work.
2 people like this
• United States
29 May
Clever. Yeah I didn’t touch it. The cheese actually looked a little mushy like it got water logged or something but I also know how it can harden up and get sticky and just gross. My own fault. I’m always trying to “save some food for later” and I messed it up anyway. Oh well, mistakes are for learning. Thanks Daddy E
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (149355)
• United States
29 May
@Melanie_Marie You're welcome.
@Orson_Kart (7389)
• United Kingdom
28 May
Chuck it in the bin. It’s not worth the risk of food poisoning. I hope you come back to read this before answering the other 45 notifications whilst munching on rotten lettuce. If you don’t reply then we will only assume the worst. Lettuce pray for your safe return!
1 person likes this
• United Kingdom
29 May
@Melanie_Marie It’s a happy ending! I think the weight of opinion was to throw it. If you were living in Gaza right now, you’d probably have a fight on your hands for any scraps! I haven’t been on here much lately, so I don’t think I’ve replied to any recent posts of yours? If I have, then I’ve forgotten and blame it on getting older. I’m great, and all the better for seeing you safe and well. Im always amazed why you haven’t been whisked off by some rich chap and living in luxury. You’re such a beautiful girl. xxx
• United States
29 May
That ending. Didn’t eat it, Ors. I am alive and well and I chucked it in the bin just like you said. See you soon, I think I saw you in some of my other discussions that I haven’t gotten to yet. I’m doing a little at a time, but I will eventually cover them all. How have you been? Xx
1 person likes this
@Dena91 (16993)
• United States
28 May
I hate throwing food out too but there is no way I would risk getting food poisoning for half of a salad.
1 person likes this
@Dena91 (16993)
• United States
29 May
• United States
29 May
I tossed it. Wow, I somehow thought you guys would say take a bite and see! Or there’s a 24-hour rule and you’re still in the clear! (Clearly made up in my own head.) Haha Thanks Dena
1 person likes this
@porwest (100087)
• United States
28 May
I absolutely abhor throwing things away, but something like this I'd probably throw away. Just me. Just to be on the safe side.
2 people like this
• United States
29 May
The chili part.. it does have meat. Thanks Jim!
1 person likes this
@mnglsp (3704)
• Philippines
28 May
Hey there! Gotta say, that taco salad saga gave me a good chuckle—relatable stuff! But food safety-wise… since it sat out overnight with dairy and meat, it’s probably best to let it go. Sour cream and cheese don’t play nice at room temp for that long. You’re smart to be cautious—no taco salad is worth a stomachache! ?? Hope your morning’s going well, and good luck powering through those 45 notifications!
2 people like this
• United States
29 May
Thanks rosé, makes perfect sense. I put it in my fridge thinking I would revive it but then never even went back to it. My gut feeling (get it, “gut” feeling) probably made me forget it on purpose. So glad I didn’t even attempt it. It’s out of my mini-fridge too because I keep cups of ice in there with lids but they still take on scents of various foods.
@GardenGerty (163798)
• United States
29 May
I would not want to risk it.
1 person likes this
• United States
29 May
I didn’t! Thank you Heather. It was so tempting, but no.
@AmbiePam (98643)
• United States
28 May
I probably wouldn’t eat it, but then I’ve left things out overnight on accident, and then eaten it while a lot of people would probably have thrown it away.
1 person likes this
• United States
29 May
I’ve done that too! Like pizza, pizza strangely has a longer half-life than other foods. I never ate the overnight salad, I just tossed it. It hurt to do it, but at least I’ll remember for next time. No matter how many times I’m sure I will wake up in the middle of the night to eat this or that, it’s a LIE. I never wake up in time. Straight to fridge no matter what. Thanks Amber! X
1 person likes this
• Philippines
29 May
If there is veggies and cheese I think it is best not to eat it.
• Torrington, Connecticut
28 May
Depends on how the lettuce looks
1 person likes this
• Torrington, Connecticut
29 May
@Melanie_Marie hehehe then I wouldn't eat it lol
• United States
29 May
It looked poopy. Thanks Baconstripsxxxxxxxxx
1 person likes this
@NJChicaa (122975)
• United States
28 May
Throw it out
1 person likes this
• United States
29 May
Done. Thank you Chicaa Appreciate it
1 person likes this