After Thanksgiving dinner, most people have extra food left over at home.
Cooking large meals can go over your budget. If that's the case, take a break from cooking and enjoy the leftovers for a few days.
So how exactly do you store all this food, and how long is it safe to eat leftovers?
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Two food experts shared sensible leftover food safety guidelines.
Here's what you need to know to stay safe and waste as little food as possible.
After the Thanksgiving turkey, you'll probably have lots of leftovers. (St. Petersburg)
How long can leftover cooked chicken, beef, seafood, or vegetable-based dishes be safely stored in the refrigerator?
If you are making a meal with meat or seafood, refrigerate leftovers in a timely manner to preserve the meal.
Leftovers are good for a few days.
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“Our general rule is that all prepared foods are safe for up to four days in the refrigerator at 40 degrees Fahrenheit,” said Jesús Garcia, public affairs specialist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service in Washington, D.C. said Jesús García, public relations specialist at the Ministry's Food Safety and Inspection Agency.
“It should be consumed, frozen or discarded by the fourth day,” he said.
Why is it so important to quickly move it from the table to the fridge after serving?
Garcia said all perishable foods, including raw and cooked meat and poultry, should be refrigerated after being removed from the refrigerator or within two hours of being cooked.
“Two hours in the 'danger zone' of 40 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit can allow bacteria to grow to dangerous levels and make food unsafe,” Garcia told FOX News Digital.
What other ways to safely store leftovers?
Garcia said it's important to break large meals like turkey or roast beef into smaller portions and store them in shallow containers so they cool faster.
One food safety expert says it's important to portion large meals like turkey or roast beef into smaller portions and store them in shallow containers so they cool faster. (St. Petersburg)
Other smart strategies include covering leftovers, wrapping them in airtight packaging or sealing them in storage containers.
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“These habits help prevent bacteria from entering, retain moisture, and prevent leftovers from transferring odors from other foods in the refrigerator. Refrigerate or freeze leftovers wrapped in plastic wrap immediately, It cools down quickly,” Garcia said.
Always store leftovers in a storage container with a tight-fitting lid or well-covered in airtight packaging to keep out bacteria.
Vanessa Imus, a registered dietitian in Bothell, Washington, told Fox News Digital that leftovers should always be stored in a storage container with a tight-fitting lid or well-covered in airtight packaging to keep out germs. He said there is.
She also said that cooling food quickly is very important.
“That means if you have a big pot of soup or a big cut of meat, you need to portion it out before you put it in the fridge,” Imus says.
After dinner, Thanksgiving turkeys and other meats should be butchered and stored in the refrigerator. (St. Petersburg)
Placing a whole turkey in the refrigerator will take longer to cool than placing slices of meat in several small containers, she says.
What are the warning signs that you may need to throw food?
Imus points out that you shouldn't rely solely on sight and smell to determine whether leftovers are edible or safe.
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“I've seen friends do the 'sniff test,' but that's not an accurate way to gauge the safety of leftover food,” she says.
“Your food may look perfectly fine, but that doesn't mean it's perfectly fine.”
“You'd rather be safe than sorry.”
Instead, she agreed with Garcia to stick to the four-day rule.
“If you don't label your food and can't remember when you prepared it, it's time to throw it away,” Imus says.
“It's better to be safe than sorry, as keeping it in the fridge for four days increases the risk of food poisoning.”
What about reheating? Is there a protocol to use?
Be sure to reheat leftovers to 165 degrees, Imus says.
(Thanksgiving leftovers should be reheated to 165 degrees.)
“That means you should check it with a thermometer. Microwaves can cause cold pockets, so be sure to stir and flip your food when reheating it. ” she added.
What happens when you eat all of your holiday leftovers??
“The problem that people run into is that they're so busy hosting and entertaining that they don't pay attention to how much food is left out,” Imus told Fox News Digital.
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“Additionally, guests may come and go or remain at the dining table throughout the night.”
She warned that this usually results in food being left uneaten far beyond the recommended two-hour limit.
“Be sure to check the time when you put your food out and make sure it's in the fridge within two hours. Even better, set a timer to remind yourself,” added Imus.
To keep all your family and friends safe this holiday season, be sure to check the time you prepare your food and make sure it's in the fridge within two hours. Better yet, set a timer to remind yourself Just a reminder,” one person said. expert. (St. Petersburg)
Garcia said Thanksgiving leftovers will keep him going from Black Friday to Cyber Monday.
“Dense foods like turkey or roast beef take longer to reheat in the oven or microwave than less dense foods like bread or small vegetables,” he says.
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He also said, “Leftovers need to reach a safe internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit when measured with a food thermometer.”
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Experts once again emphasized dividing turkeys and other large dishes into smaller portions and storing those smaller portions in shallow containers.
Other tips you should know
Garcia said hand washing is the first step to avoiding food poisoning.
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“Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before, during, and after handling food, then pat dry with a clean paper towel,” she said.
