How long can lemon meringue pie sit out?

It's not recommended to leave lemon meringue pie out at room temperature for very long. Here's why:

* Food Safety: Bacteria can grow quickly at room temperature, especially on foods containing dairy like meringue. This can lead to foodborne illness.

* Meringue Texture: The meringue topping can become soggy and lose its delightful texture if left out for too long.

Here's a guideline:

* Up to 2 hours: It's generally safe to leave the pie out for a couple of hours, but ideally, it should be consumed within this timeframe.

* More than 2 hours: It's best to refrigerate the pie after that.

Tips:

* Refrigerate promptly: If you're not serving the pie immediately, refrigerate it as soon as possible.

* Store properly: Cover the pie with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent it from absorbing other flavors in the refrigerator.

Enjoy your delicious lemon meringue pie safely and enjoy the perfect texture!