After Thanksgiving dinner Most people have leftover food in the house.
Cooking a large meal can be a way to stretch your budget. Then take a break from cooking and enjoy the leftovers for a few days.
So how should you store all this food? And how long can you safely eat leftovers?
5 Thanksgiving facts from a registered dietitian
Two food experts share clever leftover food safety practices.
Here’s what you need to know to stay safe — and minimize food waste.
After Your Thanksgiving Turkey There should be plenty of turkey left. (Istock)
Leftover poultry, beef, or seafood Or how long can cooked vegetable dishes be kept safely in the refrigerator?
If you are cooking meat or seafood Be sure to refrigerate leftovers in time to preserve them.
Leftovers should be good for a few days.
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“Our general rule is All cooked food must be safe in the refrigerator at 40 degrees Fahrenheit for up to four days,” said Jesus Garcia, public affairs specialist with the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service in Washington, D.C.
“By the fourth day you should consume it, freeze it or discard it,” he said.
Why is it so important to quickly transition from the table to the refrigerator after serving?
All perishable items This includes raw and cooked meats and poultry. They should be refrigerated within two hours of coming out of the refrigerator or being cooked. Garcia said
“After two hours in the ‘danger zone’ where temperatures range from 40 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit, Bacteria may multiply to dangerous levels. And it makes food unsafe,” Garcia told Fox News Digital.
What other ways are there to safely store leftovers?
It’s important to break large meals, like turkey or roast beef, into smaller portions. And keep it in a shallow container to make food cool faster. Garcia said
It’s important to break large meals, like turkey or roast beef, into smaller portions. And keep it in a shallow container to make food cool faster. says one food safety expert. (Istock)
Other smart strategies is to cover the leftovers Wrapped in vacuum packaging or sealed in a storage container, he said.
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“These practices help prevent bacteria, retain moisture, and prevent leftovers from picking up odors from other foods in the refrigerator. Refrigerate or freeze wrapped leftovers immediately to cool them quickly,” Garcia says.
Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container or in an airtight container to prevent bacteria.
Vanessa Imus, a registered dietitian in Bothell, Washington, told Fox News Digital that leftovers should be stored in airtight containers. Or has the cover adequately covered to keep bacteria out?
She also said that making food cool quickly is very important.
“Which means if you have a big pot of soup or a big piece of meat. You will need to divide it into small portions. before putting it in the refrigerator,” Imus said.
after dinner Thanksgiving turkey and other meats should be kept separate. Take out and store in the refrigerator. (Istock)
A whole turkey placed in the refrigerator will take longer to cool than thinly sliced meat. That goes into several small containers, she said.
What are the warning signs that you may need to throw away food?
You shouldn’t rely entirely on sight or smell to determine whether leftovers are edible and safe, Imus points out.
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“Though I’ve seen friends do it. “There’s a ‘smell test,’ but that’s not an accurate way to measure the safety of your leftover food,” she said.
“Your food may look perfect. But that doesn’t mean it’s perfectly delicious.”
“You would be better off safe than sorry.”
Instead, she agreed with Garcia about adhering to the four-day rule.
“If you don’t label your food and can’t remember when you prepared it, It’s time to throw it away,” Imus said.
“You’d be more safe than sorry. Because the risk of food poisoning increases after four days in the refrigerator.”
What about reheating? Is there a protocol available?
Remember to always reheat leftovers to 165 degrees, Imus says.
(Thanksgiving leftovers should be reheated to 165 degrees.)
“That means you will need a thermometer to check. This is because the microwave can cause the bag to become cold. So don’t forget to stir and flip the food when you reheat it,” she adds.
And what about the rest of those holidays?–
“The problem that people face is that they are too busy hosting and entertaining. and not paying attention to how long the food has to stay out,” Imus told Fox News Digital.
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“Additionally, guests may come and go or remain at the table throughout the evening.”
She warns that this often leads to eating out exceeding the recommended two-hour time limit.
“Make sure to check the time you put the food out and put it in the refrigerator within two hours. Better yet Set a timer to remind yourself,” Imus adds.
so that family members and friends Everyone stay safe this holiday season. “Be sure to check the time you prepare your food and put it in the refrigerator within two hours. Better yet, set a timer to remind yourself,” one person said. expert. (Istock)
Garcia says Thanksgiving leftovers will help you from Black Friday to Cyber Monday.
“Reheating in the oven or microwave will take longer for denser foods, such as turkey or roast beef. more so than less dense foods such as bread and small vegetables,” he said.
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“Leftovers should have a safe internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. when measured with a food thermometer,” he also said.
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Experts once again emphasize that sharing a turkey or other large dish into small parts and keep the small parts Put them in a shallow container.
Other tips to know
Washing your hands is the first step to avoiding foodborne illness. Garcia said
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“Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water before, during and after handling food. Then pat dry with clean paper towels,” he said.
