With turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberries and side dishes galore, Thanksgiving meals are filled with tasty foods. But often those dishes stick around for much longer than a day.
And while Thanksgiving leftovers are as sought after as the big meal itself, turkey and side dishes are only safe to eat for a certain amount of time.
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Safely storing
For safely storing your leftover food, the U.S. Department of Agriculture says to keep these tips in mind:
- Store leftover food in shallow containers no more than 2 inches deep.
- Refrigerate or freeze leftovers within two hours.
- Set the fridge temperature between 33 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit, and your freezer at 0 degrees Fahrenheit or lower.
- Remove cooked turkey from the bone, and store it separate from stuffing and gravy.
- Make sure you store any meat, eggs, veggies and milk within two hours.
- Throw away food left out at room temperature for longer than two hours.
- Discard any food you’re unsure of being safe. When in doubt, throw it out.
- Reheat leftovers to 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Leftover lifespan
Whether you enjoy your leftovers as they are or use the ingredients to make new dishes, it’s important to keep expiration dates in mind. According to foodsafety.gov, a website of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the following foods are safe in the fridge:
- Turkey: 3-4 days. Eat turkey within three to four days of cooking. If you use the turkey in a new dish like a soup or casserole, only consume within those initial four days. Another option is freezing the cooked turkey. Turkey can last up to four more months if frozen. However, keep that four-day time frame in mind. If it is frozen two days after cooking, once it is thawed out, it is only good for two more days.
- Stuffing and gravy: 2 days. Use stuffing and gravy within two days of cooking.
- Side dishes: 5 days. Enjoy miscellaneous side dishes up to five days after cooking, depending on the ingredients included in the dishes.
The main reason to enjoy your leftovers before these time frames is bacteria. Bacteria can grow in your food. The longer the food is in the fridge, the more bacteria it can harbor.
Bacteria and viruses found in food can cause food poisoning (or foodborne illness). You can prevent food poisoning by washing your hands often and cooking and storing food safely.
Alternatives to leftovers
If you cook a big meal and have more leftovers than you’ll be able to use up, consider giving all guests a plate to-go. Not only will they be thankful to have some delicious food to take with them, but you won’t have to worry about consuming all leftovers or discarding those you couldn’t finish.
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Posted In Emergency Medicine, Health Information, Healthy Living, Nutrition
SHN Staff
Sanford Health News is your site for health news from the experts at Sanford Health. SHN staff is a team of Midwest-Emmy-winning journalists bringing you trustworthy information on healthy living, health care, scientific research, health conditions and medical innovation.
FAQs
“Leftovers from the refrigerator should be eaten within three to four days,” Wade Syers, DSocSci, extension specialist for food safety at Michigan State University, told Health. Freezing leftovers can make them last a bit longer—they keep for as many as three to four months, but not all foods freeze well.
Can you eat leftover turkey 5 days later? ›
Turkey: 3-4 days.
Eat turkey within three to four days of cooking. If you use the turkey in a new dish like a soup or casserole, only consume within those initial four days. Another option is freezing the cooked turkey. Turkey can last up to four more months if frozen.
Can you eat stuffing after 5 days? ›
Dressing/stuffing: Like turkey, if stored properly, stuffing or dressing will be safe to eat for three to four days after cooking. It will last for about a month if stored properly in the freezer. Cranberry sauce – homemade and store-bought: Homemade cranberry sauce lasts seven to 10 days.
How long should you stay after Thanksgiving dinner? ›
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service recommends throwing out refrigerated leftovers after three to four days. If foods are kept in the freezer, they can usually still be consumed for three to four months.
Is 7 days too long for leftovers? ›
Leftovers can be kept for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. After that, the risk of food poisoning goes up. If you don't think you'll be able to eat leftovers within four days, freeze them right away. Frozen leftovers will stay safe for a long time.
Is cooked ground turkey good after 5 days? ›
USDA recommends using cooked turkey within 3 to 4 days, kept refrigerated (40°F or less). Refrigeration slows but does not stop bacterial growth. Turkey can be frozen for 3 to 4 months. Although safe indefinitely, frozen leftovers can lose moisture and flavor when stored for longer times in the freezer.
How long after Thanksgiving is it safe to eat the ham? ›
Those popular spiral-cut hams or any store-wrapped cooked ham will last three to four days in the fridge. Cooked country hams will last a bit longer, up to a week. Do: Wrap it up tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil before refrigerating. If you choose to freeze, it will be good for one to two months.
Can you reheat turkey after 5 days? ›
Safety tips for reheating turkey
Cold, cooked turkey meat will keep in the fridge for up to four days, but always use your best judgement. Always reheat cold turkey until it's piping hot, not just warmed through. Only reheat cooked turkey once.
Can a turkey sit in the fridge for 5 days? ›
If properly stored, raw turkey can last in the fridge for 1–2 days, while cold cuts last up to 5 days. How long does cooked turkey last in the fridge? If you have leftovers that include cooked turkey, you can expect those to last in the refrigerator for 3–4 days.
How long is turkey and dressing safe to eat? ›
Thanksgiving leftovers are safe to eat for up to four days when stored in the refrigerator. In the freezer, leftovers are safely frozen indefinitely but will keep the best quality for two to six months.
But as any poultry starts to go bad, it will start to turn an unpleasant shade of gray. If that pink hue starts to look slightly dull then it's time to use up your ground turkey immediately, and if it has a gray tint (even just a slight one), then it's time to toss it.
How to tell if stuffing is bad? ›
The simplest way to tell if your stuffing has gone bad is to sniff it and see if the appearance looks off. “You will know if your stuffing has gone bad if it has a bad odor or there is visible mold growing on it,” Dankosky advises. “It may also taste unpleasant, have a slimy film, or mushy appearance.
When should you throw away Thanksgiving leftovers? ›
As a general guideline, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services recommends eating or freezing turkey and other leftovers within three to four days.
What is the rule for Thanksgiving? ›
The House agreed to the amendment, and President Roosevelt signed the resolution on December 26, 1941, thus establishing the fourth Thursday in November as the Federal Thanksgiving Day holiday. H.J.
Why do you get sleepy after Thanksgiving dinner? ›
The Turkey-Tryptophan Connection—Is There Really One? Turkey meat contains tryptophan, an amino acid that the body needs to make Vitamin B3 (Niacin) and serotonin, a hormone that helps you relax and—yes, makes you sleepy.
Is it safe to eat Thanksgiving leftovers on Monday? ›
The Monday after Thanksgiving means anything still in the refrigerator needs to go. This is your last chance to eat it, freeze it or dump what's left of the leftovers.
How long are leftovers good for chart? ›
Cold Food Storage Chart
| Food | Type | Refrigerator [40°F (4°C) or below] |
|---|
| Soups and stews | Vegetable or meat added | 3 to 4 days |
| Leftovers | Cooked meat or poultry | 3 to 4 days |
| Chicken nuggets or patties | 3 to 4 days |
| Pizza | 3 to 4 days |
49 more rowsSep 19, 2023
If the mashed potatoes have an on and off smell or appearance, throw them out without even tasting it. Vegetable-based sides are typically good to eat for about three-to-five days after being cooked if they're stored in the fridge. Their shelf life extends to 10-to-12 months in the freezer.
