A Toxicologists Tips For Safe Thanksgiving Leftovers

Leftovers are arguably one of the best parts of Thanksgiving — or any holiday meal for that matter — and considering the amount of prep that goes into your holiday feast, it’s tempting to want to savor every last morsel. But here’s the catch: the expiration date on your leftovers comes much sooner than you may realize.

According to a recent episode of Colorado State University’s podcast,The Audittoxicologist Brad Reisfeld, PhD, DABT, ATS, says that avoiding holiday food poisoning is all about timing, temperature, and a serving of common sense. To help all of us stay safe this holiday, he shared some essential guidance on the podcast for how to properly handle Thanksgiving leftovers.

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“The main thing to keep in mind is that as soon as you can, or when there are breaks in your celebration, put things in the fridge and make sure that they’re at a cold temperature so things like bacteria don’t grow as quickly,” Reisfeld emphasizes. “Use your senses as you examine your leftovers, and if things begin to smell funky or look odd, use your judgment. When in doubt, throw it out. It’s not worth the health risk.”

So, how long can you really keep feasting on Thanksgiving leftovers without creating a recipe for disaster? Here’s what to know.

How to store Thanksgiving leftovers

All raw or cooked food needs to be put in the refrigerator or freezer within two hours of being cooked to prevent foodborne illness, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

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That said, it’s better to store food as soon as possible, because the longer it sits out, the higher the chances are that it could grow bacteria that can make you sick, Reisfeld says. And contrary to a common food safety mythyou can put hot food in the fridge, so there’s no need to let it cool on the counter.

Exactly how you store leftovers is up to you, but airtight glass containers typically keep food fresh for longer.

How long is it safe to eat Thanksgiving leftovers?

The answer to this question will vary depending on the dish. Some traditional holiday items like cranberry sauce, fruit pies, and bread have acids and preservatives in them to ward off bacterial growth, so Reisfeld says they tend to last longer.

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On the flip side, dishes with dairy or eggs, as well as gravy, turkey, and stuffing — especially when cooked inside the bird — need to be watched extra carefully, he adds.

To help your turkey last longer, Reifeld recommends that “you’ll want to make sure that you sort of trim away the turkey… from the bone and then store it as just pieces of meat, preferably without gravy or anything on it.”

If anything ever has an unusual taste, appearance, texture, or smell, you should use your judgement and bid it farewell. To provide some general guidelines, here’s how long common Thanksgiving foods typically last in the fridge or freezer before you need to toss them, according to FoodSafety.gov and the USDA.

Poultry

• Turkey:Raw turkey lasts one to two days in the fridge. If fully cooked and stored in the refrigerator, it’s best to eat it within three to four days.
• Chicken:Store cooked chicken in the refrigerator and consume it within three to four days, or keep it in the freezer for up to four months.

Red Meat

• Pork:Refrigerated, cooked pork such as roasts, chops, and ribs should be eaten within three to four days.
• Ham:Uncured, cooked ham is safe for three to four days in the fridge and three to four months in the freezer. A cooked, store-wrapped, whole ham is safe for one week in the fridge or one to two months in the freezer. Cooked country ham (which has been cured) is safe for one week in the fridge and one month in the freezer.
• Beef:Fully cooked steak, roasts, and chops can be consumed within three to four days when refrigerated and within two months when frozen.

Fish

• If fully cooked, all fish should be eaten within three to four days when refrigerated and within one to two months if frozen.

Cheese

• Soft cheese:Soft cheeses such as brie and ricotta can be refrigerated for up to one week but should not be frozen.
• Hard cheese:Hard cheeses like Parmesan, cheddar, and Swiss can last up to four weeks in the refrigerator once opened and up to six months if frozen.

Pie

• Fruit pie:Fruit pie typically lasts for one to two days at room temperature or up to a week in the refrigerator.
• Cream, meringue, pumpkin, and pecan pie:All pies that traditionally contain dairy and/or eggs must be refrigerated and will usually last for three to four days.

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How to safely reheat leftovers

Reheat leftovers until their internal temperature reaches at least 165°Fand always stir food when reheating it to ensure it warms evenly. Slow cookers are not suggested for reheating leftovers because raising their temperature at a slow rate may promote bacterial growth.

Frozen leftovers should be thawed before cooking, but do not thaw leftovers by leaving them on the counter. Instead, the USDA recommends thawing frozen food either by microwaving it, moving it to the refrigerator to thaw overnight, or putting it in a leakproof container in cold water.

Armed with some expert recommendations, we’re ready to make the most of Thanksgiving and the days after it.