After Thanksgiving dinner, many people have excess food in the house.
Cooking a large meal can be a way to stretch your budget – then take a break from cooking and enjoy leftovers for a few days.
So, how should you store all this food – and how long can you safely eat leftovers?
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Two food experts share smart guidelines for leftover food safety.
Here’s what you need to know to stay safe – and waste as little food as possible.
After your Thanksgiving turkey, there will likely be plenty of leftovers. (Stock)
How long can cooked chicken, beef or leftover seafood or vegetable dishes be kept safe in the refrigerator?
If you are creating a meal with meat or seafood, be sure to refrigerate the leftovers in time to preserve the food.
Leftovers should be good for a few days.
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“Our general rule is that all cooked foods are safe in the refrigerator stored at 40 degrees Fahrenheit for up to four days,” said Jesus Garcia, a public affairs specialist with the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service, in Washington, DC.
“On the fourth day, you have to eat it, freeze it or throw it away,” he said.
Why is the quick transition from table to fridge after serving so important?
All perishable items, including raw and cooked meat and poultry, should be refrigerated within two hours of being taken out of the refrigerator or cooked, Garcia said.
“After two hours in the ‘danger zone,’ which is temperatures between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit, bacteria can multiply to dangerous levels and make food unsafe,” Garcia told Fox News Digital.
What are some other ways to store leftovers safely?
It’s important to break large foods like turkey or roast beef into smaller portions and store them in shallow containers so things cool down faster, Garcia says.
It’s important to break large foods like turkey or roast beef into smaller pieces and store them in shallow containers so things cool down faster, says one food safety expert. (Stock)
Some smart strategies are to cover leftovers, wrap them in airtight bags or seal them in storage containers, he said.
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“These habits help to keep germs, retain moisture and prevent leftovers from taking on the smell of other foods in the refrigerator. Refrigerate immediately or freeze leftovers wrapped to cool quickly,” said Garcia.
Leftovers should always be placed in a storage container with a tight-fitting lid or adequately covered in airtight bags to prevent contamination.
Vanessa Imus, a registered dietitian in Bothell, Washington, told Fox News Digital that leftovers should always be placed in a storage container with a tight-fitting lid or adequately covered in airtight bags to prevent contamination.
He also said that it is very important to cool the food quickly.
This means that if you have a large pot of soup or a large meat, you will need to break it up into smaller portions before refrigerating it,” says Imus.
After dinner, the Thanksgiving turkey and other meats should be broken up and stored in the refrigerator. (Stock)
A whole turkey stored in the refrigerator will take longer to cool than ground meat stored in several small containers, he said.
What are the warning signs that you might need to throw away food?
You shouldn’t rely entirely on sight or smell to determine whether leftovers are edible and safe, Imus said.
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“Even though I’ve seen friends do a ‘sniff test,’ that’s not an accurate way to measure the safety of your remains,” she said.
“Your food may look good, but that doesn’t mean it’s right.”
“Better be safe than sorry.”
Instead, he agreed with Garcia about sticking to the four-day rule.
“If you haven’t written down your food and can’t remember when you first cooked it, it’s time to throw it away,” says Imus.
“Better be safe than sorry as the risk of food poisoning increases after four days in the fridge.”
What about reheating? Are there protocols you can use?
Always make sure to reheat leftovers to 165 degrees, Imus says.
(Any Thanksgiving leftovers should be reheated to 165 degrees.)
“That means you’ll need a thermometer to check. Since microwaves can cause cold pockets, be sure to stir and turn the food as you reheat it,” he added.
How about in time for all those holiday leftovers?
“The problem people run into is they’re so busy managing and entertaining that they don’t pay attention to how long the food lasts,” Imus told Fox News Digital.
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“Also, guests may come and go or stay at the dining table all night.”
He warned that this often results in meals sitting out for much longer than the recommended two hours.
“Make sure you time your meals and refrigerate them within two hours. Better yet, set a timer to remind yourself,” Imus added.
To keep all family members and friends safe this holiday season, “make sure you check the time you put food out and refrigerate it within two hours. Better yet, set a timer to remind yourself,” says another. an expert. (Stock)
Garcia said leftovers from Thanksgiving will support you from Black Friday to Cyber Monday.
“Reheating in the oven or microwave will take longer if you’re eating dense foods like turkey or roast beef than less dense foods like bread and small vegetables,” he says.
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“Leaves should reach a safe internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit as measured with a food thermometer,” he added.
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Experts also emphasize dividing the turkey or other large dishes into smaller portions and storing those smaller portions in shallow dishes.
Some tips to know
Washing your hands is the first step in avoiding foodborne illness, Garcia said.
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“Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water before, during and after handling food. Then dry with clean paper towels,” he said.
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