Feasting on leftovers is a part of the American Thanksgiving custom. It is essential to take pleasure in your leftovers safely and keep away from foodborne sickness, consultants say.
Typically talking, leftovers might be saved safely within the fridge for 3 to 4 days. “After that, the chance of foodborne sickness will increase, as micro organism could start to develop,” says Zachary Cartwright, lead meals scientist at Aqualab by Addium and a member of the Institute of Meals Technologists‘ Meals Security and High quality Administration Division. “Thanksgiving leftovers can typically comply with the identical tips for storage and dealing with, however there are just a few particular issues to make sure meals security.”
This is what you’ll want to find out about how lengthy Thanksgiving leftovers final within the fridge, courtesy of a meals security skilled — plus suggestions for cooking and storing meals to verify it is protected and engaging till the final chew.
Thanksgiving turkey
Specialists say it is essential to carve the turkey meat off the bone inside two hours. You must also rapidly stash the meals within the fridge, in an hermetic, shallow container, or rigorously wrapped in aluminum foil or plastic wrap, and retailer it just for as much as 4 days.
- As much as 4 days within the fridge
- As much as six months within the freezer
Your first intuition after an enormous Thanksgiving meal may be to hit the sofa for a pleasant lengthy nap. Simply be sure to stash these leftovers within the fridge first.
Cartwright recommends packaging and storing meals rapidly after the meal is over. Remember to carve the meat off of the turkey carcass inside two hours of cooking. Pack cooked turkey in shallow hermetic containers, or wrap it properly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap earlier than storing it within the fridge for as much as 4 days. Turkey can be frozen for as much as six months.
When it is time to make a sandwich with that leftover turkey, do not skip an essential step. Cartwright recommends reheating the meat to an inside temperature of 165 levels Fahrenheit on the range, within the oven or within the microwave earlier than having fun with it. You will know that leftover turkey has gone dangerous and is not suitable for eating if the feel is slimy, it smells bitter or the meat takes on a greenish or grayish tint.
Stuffing
- As much as 4 days within the fridge
- As much as one month within the freezer
Stuffing cooked contained in the hen ought to be eliminated shortly after cooking. It will assist it cool extra rapidly and maintain it out of the hazard zone — between 40 and 140 levels Fahrenheit — by which spoilage micro organism can develop and multiply. Retailer leftovers in hermetic glass or plastic containers within the fridge for as much as 4 days, or freeze stuffing for as much as one month.
As with turkey, Cartwright recommends heating leftover stuffing to an inside temperature of 165 levels Fahrenheit earlier than you gobble it down. Use your air fryer to reheat stuffing in order that it is crispy quite than soggy. Stuffing that is gone dangerous and is unsafe to eat will look moist and/or moldy or odor “off.”
Specialists advocate storing leftover stuffing in hermetic glass or plastic containers within the fridge for as much as 4 days.
Mashed potatoes
- As much as 5 days within the fridge
- As much as two months within the freezer
Mashed potatoes ought to be put into shallow containers after cooking to assist the meals cool rapidly. Comply with the US Meals and Drug Administration’s “two-hour rule” and keep away from leaving mashed potatoes out at room temperature for greater than two hours after cooking. Hold them in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 5 days or within the freezer for 2 months.
Including somewhat milk, butter or cream will help clean out lumpy leftover mashed potatoes after you reheat them within the microwave or on the range. Keep away from consuming leftover mashed potatoes which have a watery consistency or a bitter or fermented odor, that are all indicators of spoilage.
In terms of meals storage, hermetic containers are your pal. However consultants say that whenever you put them within the fridge, you should not stack them.
Cranberry sauce
- 10-14 days within the fridge
- As much as two months within the freezer
Cranberry sauce is an exception to the rule that Thanksgiving leftovers ought to be consumed earlier than the tip of your lengthy vacation weekend. Due to excessive acidity and added sugar, cranberry sauce can hand around in your fridge for 10 to 14 days simply fantastic. It’s going to final within the freezer for 2 months.
Serve leftover cranberry sauce chilly, at room temperature or barely warmed. Be careful for seen mildew. A boozy, fermented odor is one other indicator that it is not suitable for eating.
Pumpkin pie
- As much as 4 days within the fridge
- Freeze after cooling
Cartwright notes that as a result of the custard filling in pumpkin pie comprises eggs and dairy, it ought to be refrigerated inside two hours of baking or serving. Hold leftover pie within the fridge for as much as 4 days, wrapped properly in foil or plastic wrap or sealed in an hermetic container. You possibly can freeze slices or complete pies so long as they’ve fully cooled. Double-wrap them in plastic wrap and foil, or retailer foil-wrapped pie in a zip-top bag to guard it from freezer burn.
“A soggy, separated filling or any indicators of mildew means it ought to be thrown out,” Cartwright says.
You do not have to reheat pumpkin pie earlier than serving, however there is no hurt in gently warming it within the microwave in the event you like.
Hold leftover pie within the fridge for as much as 4 days, wrapped properly in foil or plastic wrap or sealed in an hermetic container, consultants say.
Methods to inform if Thanksgiving leftovers have gone dangerous
No matter how lengthy they have been in your fridge, it is essential to examine your Thanksgiving leftovers rigorously to stop foodborne sickness.
“A bitter, rancid or ‘off’ odor is a significant purple flag,” says Cartwright.
So is discoloration or seen mildew (fuzzy areas of inexperienced, grey or white), which may point out spoiled meals. Leftovers which have gone dangerous could have a slimy, cheesy floor texture. Search for pooling liquid or watery layers in meals like mashed potatoes, mac and cheese or inexperienced bean casserole, which is one other signal of spoilage.
Lastly, belief your senses. Meals that smells or tastes bizarre or “off” ought to be trashed or composted, however Cartwright advises in opposition to taste-testing suspect objects.
“When doubtful, throw it out,” he says. “In the event you’re uncertain, it is higher to err on the aspect of warning.”
Suggestions for storing leftovers safely
Specialists say it is a good suggestion to label and date leftovers. This individual could’ve forgotten to whip out the Sharpie, however you will not.
1. Cool huge parts of cooked meals rapidly. Portion meals into smaller, shallow containers to keep away from the “hazard zone.”
2. Label and date leftovers. Use masking tape and a everlasting marker, or write dates instantly on plastic or glass containers with a grease pencil.
3. Do not stack containers within the fridge. As an alternative, unfold them out to permit for correct air circulation, which is able to assist the meals cool extra rapidly to protected temperatures.
4. The freezer is your pal. “In the event you will not eat the leftovers inside three or 4 days, contemplate freezing them,” Cartwright says. “Frozen meals can final for much longer, usually a number of months. All the time verify for freezer burn or off smells after thawing.”
5. Reheat to 165. Except meals are OK to eat chilly or at room temperature, like cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie, at all times reheat cooked leftovers to an inside temperature of 165 levels Fahrenheit to kill any spoilage microbes which may be current.
6. Belief your nostril. “If reheated meals does not odor proper or develop a contemporary, appetizing aroma, discard it,” Cartwright says.
