Image credit: GoodCook
A version of this post originally appeared on GoodCook. com. Thanks to our friends at GoodCook for the excellent tips!
An epic Thanksgiving feast is a meal we all look forward to, but for many, the real highlight is the leftovers. Everything from the turkey to the sides can be repurposed into tasty new meals. Proper handling and storage of leftovers is essential to prevent food spoilage and keep your family safe. That means following food safety rules and using airtight containers to properly seal your food.
A few days before Thanksgiving, clear out your fridge and make room for all the containers you expect to use. Make sure you have plenty of containers on hand for all your leftovers.
How long can you leave Thanksgiving dinner on the table?
Perishable food should not be left outside for more than 2 hours. Ideally, you want to keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold. Start wrapping leftover food and refrigerate it within 2 hours.
The best way to store leftovers
Whether you’re storing the green bean casserole or the mashed potatoes, don’t store any food in the dishes you cooked in. Pack leftovers in different containers. If the containers are hot to the touch, stack them side by side rather than on top of each other until they cool – otherwise the heat will be trapped between the containers. Avoid opening and closing the refrigerator door until leftovers have cooled.
Cut and pluck the turkey from meat and skin and divide it into a dish. Once the turkey cavity is filled, scoop out the stuffing and keep it separate from the turkey.
Best practice for reheating leftovers
Instead of reheating your entire portion of leftovers, reheat only the part you plan to eat. It’s fine to reheat food and put the rest back in the fridge, but you lose flavor and change the texture of your food.
Leftovers should be reheated to an internal temperature of 165°F. The safest way to check is with a food thermometer. Bring leftover sauces, soups, and gravies to a boil before consuming. For microwaved dishes, cover leftovers and rotate as they heat to ensure even heating.
Should food come to room temperature or straight into the refrigerator?
Food does not need to come to room temperature before being stored in the refrigerator. Let your food cool down as quickly as possible before putting it in a container within 2 hours. When your food is steaming hot, you can put ice in a large bowl and place your hot dish in a container over the ice. The risk of putting hot food directly into the fridge is that it raises the internal fridge temperature and everything in your fridge takes longer to cool down.
How long do leftovers keep in the fridge?
The general rule of thumb is to consume leftovers within 4-5 days of refrigerating them. We’ve listed the optimal dates for your favorite Thanksgiving foods to be consumed, via Stilltasty.com:
- Cooked turkey can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- The filling can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Roasted vegetables can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Mashed potatoes can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Gratin potatoes can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Sweet potato casserole can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Green bean stew can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Homemade gravy can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, and canned gravy can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Cooked green beans and cooked carrots can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Cranberry sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
What’s the best way to freeze leftovers?
Leftovers should be frozen within three days. Portion what you and your family will eat in a few days and freeze the rest. Divide and freeze leftovers in airtight containers. Smaller portions make it easier to defrost leftovers.
Make sure leftovers are completely cooled before freezing. You may need to refrigerate leftovers for a few hours before freezing. For soups, gravies, and other liquids, leave some room at the top of each container, as liquids expand slightly when they freeze. Be sure to label and date your leftovers before freezing!
When you’re ready to thaw, place the frozen leftovers in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. Once leftovers have thawed, they should not be re-frozen. Technically, food can be frozen indefinitely at 0°F, but for optimal taste, consume the foods below by the dates listed:
- The filling can be stored in the freezer for up to 1 month.
- Cranberry sauce can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months.
- The green bean casserole can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months.
- Roasted vegetables can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Cooked turkey can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Gravy can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Mashed potatoes can be stored in the freezer for up to 12 months.
- Potato gratin can be stored in the freezer for up to 12 months.
- Sweet potato casserole can be stored in the freezer for up to 12 months.
- Cooked green beans and cooked carrots can be stored in the freezer for up to 12 months.
Need some creative ideas to use up those leftovers? Try our “leftover lunch” recipes!