THE NEW YORK TIMES – Q: I enjoy Thanksgiving leftovers even more than the meal on the big day. How long are they safe to eat?

Benjamin Chapman, a professor of food safety at North Carolina State University, takes Thanksgiving — and leftovers — seriously. This year, he said, his family’s feast will include a 24-pound turkey raised by a local 4-H participant, along with the traditional sides.

Then, he added, they won’t cook again for days. “We’ll be like sloths, and everybody will just go heat something up in the microwave.”

Dr. Chapman studies food safety for a living, so he has thought carefully about how to make leftovers last. We asked him and other experts for their best tips on this, so everyone can continue to enjoy the spoils of their labor.

How long can leftovers be stored? 

According to federal guidelines, most refrigerated leftovers — including cooked turkey; gravy; traditional sides like stuffing, mashed potatoes and green beans; and desserts like pumpkin pie — should be consumed within three to four days.

So by the Monday after Thanksgiving, those foods should be gone or in the freezer.

Even so, there are exceptions. Fruit pies can be kept for one to two days at room temperature, or for a week in the refrigerator.

Packaged breads and rolls are good for 14 to 18 days at room temperature, and homemade bread for up to five days. Homemade cranberry sauce can be kept in the refrigerator for seven to 10 days; the canned version will last one to two weeks.

Frozen leftovers are safe indefinitely, according to the guidelines, but they should be consumed within two to six months for the best taste and texture …

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Thanksgiving leftovers safety: Tips for storing and reheating

FOOD SAFETY NEWS, November 28, 2024

Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends and feasting. Once the holiday meal ends, the spotlight turns to enjoying the leftovers in the days ahead. To keep those leftovers safe to eat, the U.S. Department of Agriculture provides essential food safety tips.

How to handle leftovers safely

The cardinal rule for leftovers is to store them properly within two hours of cooking. Food left out longer than this enters the “danger zone” — temperatures between 40 degrees F and 140 degrees F where bacteria multiply rapidly. If you’re in an environment above 90 degrees F, such as a hot kitchen or car, refrigerate perishable items within just one hour.

To expedite cooling, divide leftovers into small, shallow containers before refrigerating or freezing them. This is especially important for large items like turkey, which should be portioned to ensure even cooling. A whole turkey or large container of food can take too long to cool down, giving bacteria a chance to grow.

Contrary to popular belief, leftovers do not need to cool to room temperature before being stored. 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 still warm.

How long are leftovers safe to eat?

Leftovers stored in the refrigerator are safe to eat for three to four days, which means your Thanksgiving meal should be consumed by the following Monday. If you want to enjoy leftovers beyond that timeframe, freeze them to preserve their quality. Frozen leftovers are best consumed within two to six months.

The USDA’s FoodKeeper app can help track your leftovers’ freshness and provide reminders when it’s time to eat or freeze them. The app also includes food storage guidelines for more than 600 items.

How to reheat leftovers safely

When reheating leftovers, ensure they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Use a food thermometer to check the temperature, especially for dense dishes like casseroles or meats. Cover leftovers while reheating to retain moisture and promote even heating.

If you’re using a microwave, arrange food items evenly in a microwave-safe dish and add a bit of liquid if needed. Cover the dish with a vented lid or microwave-safe wrap to create steam, which helps eliminate bacteria. Because microwaves have cold spots, rotate the food during heating and check the temperature in multiple places.

For sauces, soups, and gravies, bring them to a rolling boil when reheating. Avoid using slow cookers for leftovers, as they may not heat food quickly enough to eliminate bacteria.

If you have questions or concerns about Thanksgiving leftovers, food safety experts are available. 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 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday.