Leftovers are the best part of the holiday season, but sadly, they don't last forever.
Many foods that grace your holiday dinner table have a short life span.
If you want to avoid getting sick before you ring in the new year (starting 2021 with food poisoning is not ideal), you need to be careful when eating leftovers.
Thankfully, The Sun asked some professionals for pointers on how to preserve leftovers so that they're safe and delicious.
Here are some rules to keep in mind when dealing with leftovers:
- The fridge and freezer are your best friend.
- Expiration dates are there for a reason… follow them.
- Make a new dish out of your leftovers.
- Eat defrosted foods within 24 hours.
Turkey
Place the turkey in the fridge immediately after it cools down and be sure to eat it or freeze it within two days of cooking.
Pigs in a Blanket
Leftover piggies should be wrapped in foil, placed in the fridge and eaten within three days.
Stuffing
Stuffing has a longer shelf life which makes it one of the best leftover items. For meatless stuffing, eat it within four days of prep. Stuffing with meat like sausage should be consumed within three days.
Smoked Salmon
Salmon is a popular dish during the Christmas holiday. Like most dishes, it should be stored in the fridge and consumed within three days. It can also be safely frozen for three months.
Wine
The alcoholic beverage doesn't technically go bad, but the taste can change. Bottles of red wine should be stored in a cool, dark place and finished within five days of opening.
Cooked Ham
Since the ham is cured with salt, the shelf-life is extended to five days if kept refrigerated. For sliced ham, eat within three days.
Pate
Pate should be covered by foil to keep bacteria from multiplying and should be consumed by the "use by" date.
Cheese
How is there still cheese left over? Any leftover cheeses should be stored in the fridge and discarded once mold becomes present, especially when it comes to soft cheeses. Rule of thumb: follow the "use by" date.
Custard
Since homemade custard is usually milk- or cream-based, it can spoil rather quickly. Be sure to refrigerate and eat within two days.
