Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends and feasting. Once the holiday meal is over, the focus turns to enjoying the rest of the days ahead. To ensure these leftovers are safe to eat, the USDA provides important food safety tips.
How to safely handle leftovers
The main rule with leftovers is to properly store them within two hours of cooking. Food left out longer than this period enters the “danger zone”—temperatures between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit, where bacteria multiply rapidly. If you are in an environment with temperatures above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, such as a hot kitchen or car, refrigerate perishable foods in just one hour.
To speed up cooling, divide leftovers into small, shallow containers before refrigerating or freezing. This is especially important for larger foods such as turkey, which should be portioned to ensure even cooling. A whole turkey or large container of food may take too long to cool, giving bacteria a chance to grow.
Contrary to popular belief, leftover food does not need to be cooled to room temperature before storing. A USDA study found that 76 percent of participants mistakenly believed they should wait, but this practice can make food unsafe. Leftovers can be placed in the refrigerator or freezer while they are still warm.
How long is leftover food safe to eat?
Leftovers stored in the refrigerator are safe to eat for three to four days, meaning Thanksgiving food should be eaten by the following Monday. If you want to enjoy leftovers after this period, freeze them to preserve their quality. Frozen leftovers are best consumed within two to six months.
USDA FoodKeeper app can help keep track of the freshness of leftovers and remind you when it's time to eat or freeze them. The app also contains storage tips for over 600 foods.
How to Reheat Leftovers Safely
When reheating leftovers, make sure the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Use a food thermometer to check the temperature, especially for hearty foods such as casseroles or meats. Cover leftovers while reheating to retain moisture and ensure even heating.
If using a microwave, arrange food evenly in a microwave-safe bowl and add a little liquid if necessary. Cover the dish with a vented lid or microwave-safe plastic wrap to create steam that will help kill bacteria. Because a microwave oven has cold areas, rotate the food and check the temperature in several places while heating.
Bring sauces, soups and gravies to a boil when reheating. Don't use slow cookers for leftovers because they can't heat food fast enough to kill bacteria.
If you have questions or concerns about Thanksgiving leftovers, food safety experts are here to help. Contact the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854), email [email protected], or chat live at Ask.usda.gov from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday.
