Many believe the best part of Christmas dining is the leftovers.
From cold meats to vegetables and puddings that satisfy our sweet cravings for days, there’s immense pleasure to be found in festive feasting.
However, caution is required when dealing with leftovers, as some foods stay fresh longer than others. If you’re not careful, you could end up consuming spoiled food.
Last year, @disastersurvival_coach on TikTok advised people to be cautious by sharing useful guidelines to follow, particularly regarding meat. But how accurate are these so-called golden sell-by date rules?
To assist, we’ve detailed exactly how long you should keep your Christmas treats.
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Lauren Allen, founder of Tastes Better from Scratch, previously informed Daily Star about common mistakes people make when enjoying leftover holiday meals. With numerous myths circulating, it’s time to clarify the facts.
Turkey and other meats
Any leftover cooked turkey, ham, roast beef or other meats should be stored within two hours of serving. They need to be cut from the bone and sealed in shallow, airtight containers.
The expert advises they should remain fresh for three to four days, but you can also freeze them if you want to keep the meats for longer.
When it comes to turkey, make sure the thickest part of the meat reaches 165F internally before putting it in the fridge. Also, it’s crucial to separate stuffing from meat.
Vegetables
Many cooked vegetables like green beans, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casseroles etc, will stay fresh in airtight containers. You can store them for three to four days in the fridge.
On the other hand, leafy greens perish more quickly, so these should be used up within days. As long as they’re not loaded with ingredients like cream or butter, most veggie-based leftovers will also freeze well for one to three months.
Desserts
Anything indulgent like cakes, pies, custards or puddings should be consumed within a few days. Not to mention, they don’t freeze well either.
Classic holiday cookies, however, often freeze without any problems for up to six months. In addition to this, you can freeze cookie dough to use later down the line.
The key step is allowing any hot food to fully cool before covering it and placing it in the fridge. This helps to prevent moisture accumulation that can lead to bacteria growth.
Also, trust your nose. If anything smells off during the reheating process then it’s best to throw it away.