How long can cooked meat be left outdoors?

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), cooked meat should not be left out for more than 2 hours at room temperature. After 2 hours, bacteria can start to grow and multiply rapidly, which can cause food poisoning.

If the temperature outside is above 90°F, cooked meat should not be left out for more than 1 hour. If you are not going to eat your cooked meat within these time frames, it should be refrigerated or frozen immediately.