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The correct ways to safely store leftovers revealedplay icon
National

The correct ways to safely store leftovers revealed

Stephanie Raymond
By Stephanie RaymondNov 19, 2024

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, which means many of us are preparing to have a refrigerator full of leftovers. But before you go building the famous Moistmaker Sandwich from "Friends," you might want to brush up on some safety guidelines first.

Tip #1 -- Keep Food out of the Danger Zone

For leftovers to be safe to keep, they must be refrigerated within two hours of serving or have been kept hot at or above 140°F or cold below 40°F, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Any foods that sat out for more than two hours at room temperature should be thrown away and are not safe to keep as leftovers bacteria that cause foodborne illness could have reached dangerous levels.

Tip #2 -- Wrap Leftovers Well and Cool Food Rapidly

Wrapping leftovers in airtight packaging or sealing them in storage containers helps keep bacteria out and retain moisture.

To prevent bacterial growth, it's important to cool food rapidly so it reaches as fast as possible the safe refrigerator-storage temperature of 40°F or below, according to the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service.

To do this, divide large amounts of food into shallow containers. Cut large items of food, like slices of ham and turkey, into smaller portions to cool. Breast meat should be sliced but legs and wings may be left whole, the FSIS noted.

Hot food can be placed directly in the refrigerator or be rapidly chilled in an ice or cold water bath before refrigerating.

Tip #3 -- Store Leftovers Safely

Most leftovers can be kept in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days or frozen for 3 to 4 months, according to the FSIS. However, frozen leftovers can lose moisture and flavor when stored for longer times in the freezer.

Meat and poultry leftovers that are handled properly may be safely refrigerated at 40°F up to 4 days. Eggs and lunch meats that are handled properly may be safely stored at 40°F up to 5 days. For best quality, cooked meat and poultry leftovers in sealed containers may be stored in the freezer at 0°F or below for 2 to 6 months.

Tip #4 -- Reheat Leftovers Safely

When reheating leftovers, be sure they reach 165°F as measured with a food thermometer. Covering leftovers while reheating will help retain moisture and ensures that food will heat all the way through.

When reheating in the microwave, cover and rotate the food for even heating. Add some liquid if needed and vent the lid or wrap to let the steam escape. The moist heat that is created will help destroy harmful bacteria and will ensure uniform cooking, the FSIS said.

Because microwaves have cold spots, check the temperature of the food in several places with a food thermometer and allow a resting time before checking the internal temperature. Cooking continues for a longer time in dense foods such as a whole turkey or beef roast than in less dense foods like breads, small vegetables and fruits.

When reheating meat and poultry in the oven, the temperature should be no lower than 325°F.

Soups, sauces, gravies, etc., should be reheated to a boil.

Tip #5 -- The Leftover Leftovers

Maybe your eyes were bigger than your stomach -- again -- and you reheated so much that you now have leftover leftovers. If you reheat all of your leftovers but don’t finish the entire portion, refrigerate what's left immediately so it can be safely reheated again.

The FSIS says it's safe to refreeze any food remaining after reheating leftovers to the safe temperature of 165°F as measured with a food thermometer.

If a large container of leftovers was frozen and only a portion of it is needed, it's also safe to thaw the leftovers in the refrigerator, remove the needed portion and refreeze the remainder of the thawed leftovers without reheating it, the FSIS added.

Remember: When in doubt, throw it out!

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