Stew Leonard’s Thanksgiving turkey giveaway in Paramus: Video
Paramus first responders distribute hundreds of Thanksgiving turkeys in annual Stew Leonard’s giveaway in Paramus on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024.
Arguably one of the most exciting parts of Thanksgiving, after dinner, football and the parade of course, are the leftovers. Whether you host Thanksgiving dinner or are sent home with a to-go container, a refrigerator full of leftovers is inevitable.
They make for an exciting couple of days as your stomach recovers and the feast continues. Some even get creative with their leftovers, turning them into entirely new dishes. But how long will the Thanksgiving turkey, sides and pies last in the refrigerator before they turn into a holiday horror show?
While the two main causes of foodborne illness, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, are not cooking food to a safe temperature and leaving food out at an unsafe temperature, the safe handling of leftovers is a crucial step in reducing foodborne illness.
Here are some tips for safe Friday feasting after Thanksgiving dinner and consuming leftovers throughout the holiday season.
How long will Turkey stay good in the fridge?
Refrigerated turkey, stuffing, and gravy should be used within three to four days, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. If frozen, leftovers should be used within two to six months for the best quality.
When storing, the USDA recommends that leftovers be divided into smaller portions and frozen or refrigerated in covered, shallow containers for quicker cooling. Any turkey, stuffing or gravy that was left out at room temperature for longer than two hours, or one hour in temperatures above 90 degrees, should be discarded.
Leftover turkey may be eaten cold or reheated, according to the USDA. However, if you would like to reheat your turkey the department recommends setting the oven temperature no lower than 325 degrees and reheating it to an internal temperature of 165 degrees. To keep the turkey moist, you can add a little broth or water and cover.
If reheating in the microwave, the USDA recommends that you cover the food, rotate it for even heating and allow standing time, ensuring that the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.
How long will Thanksgiving sides stay good in the fridge?
Thanksgiving sides such as mashed potatoes and any roasted, steamed or fried vegetables should be used or consumed within three to four days after Thanksgiving, according to the Food Network.
Baked casseroles including lasagna or gratins will need to be frozen in individual portions or consumed within four to five days of Thanksgiving.
Cranberry sauce, however, lasts much longer and should be used or frozen within two weeks of Thanksgiving, according to the Food Network.
How long are pies safe to eat after Thanksgiving?
Traditional Thanksgiving pies should be consumed within four to five days of Thanksgiving, according to the Food Network. They can be frozen, but freezing will likely change the texture.
General food storage tips
Here are some general leftover storage and safety tips from the USDA’s Leftovers and Food Safety guide:
Keep hot food out of the danger zone: After safely cooking, hot food must be kept hot at 140 degrees or warmer to prevent bacterial growth. Within two hours of cooking, or after it is removed from an appliance keeping it warm, leftovers must be refrigerated. Throw away all perishable foods that have been at room temperature for more than two hours or one hour if the temperature is above 90 degrees.Keep cold food out of the danger zone: Cold perishable food should be kept at 40 degrees or below. Throw away any leftovers that have been left out for more than two hours at room temperature or one hour above 90 degrees.Cool food rapidly by dividing leftovers into smaller portions to cool. Hot food can be placed directly in the refrigerator or rapidly chilled in ice or cold water before refrigerating.Wrap leftovers in airtight packaging or seal them in storage containers.
Leftovers can be kept in the refrigerator for three to four days or frozen for three to four months, according to the USDA. Although safe indefinitely, frozen leftovers can lose flavor and moisture when they are stored in the freezer for long periods of time.
For more tips on safely storing, thawing, refreezing and reheating leftovers, check out the USDA’s Leftovers and Food Safety guide at https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/leftovers-and-food-safety.