Are you still eating Thanksgiving leftovers? I posted a few simple, affordable and tasty ways you could breathe new life into leftover Turkey Day dishes, but I wouldn’t suggest you use any of them after tomorrow.
According to health experts at the Mayo Clinic, you should not eat refrigerated Thanksgiving leftovers after Tuesday, December 1st, in order to prevent food poisoning. Doctors say they see an increase in food poisoning cases in the first weeks of December due to people eating spoiled Thanksgiving leftovers.
Food poisoning (also known as food-borne illness) is caused by bacteria in contaminated food. Symptoms can range from abdominal pain and diarrhea to nausea and vomiting. Unfortunately, most people (including my own father) often use the “smell test” to determine whether or not Thanksgiving leftovers are still safe to eat. The problem is bacteria typically don’t change the taste, smell or appearance of food, so you can’t tell whether a food is dangerous to eat.
According to experts, most Thanksgiving leftovers will remain safe for about three to five days in the refrigerator. You can extend the life of turkey and trimmings by freezing them within two hours of preparing.
If you didn’t freeze your Turkey Day leftovers, then consider the following guidelines to ensure that your frugalness doesn’t compromise your health:
Cooked Turkey: Good for four days if refrigerated.
Gravy: Good for three days if refrigerated. Bring to boil before serving.
Cranberry Sauce: Good for one week if stored in refrigerator in a covered plastic or glass container.
Stuffing: Good for four days in refrigerator.
Mashed Potatoes/Yams/Green Bean Casserole: Good for five days if refrigerated.
Pumpkin Pie: Good for four days if stored in refrigerator.
When it comes to leftovers, remember, when in doubt, throw it out.
Also, don’t eat leftovers that were left at room temperature for more than two hours. Finally, before eating leftovers, reheat them thoroughly. Leftover sauces, soups and gravies should be boiled before serving. In addition, if you plan to reheat meat in the oven, set the temperature to no lower than 325 degrees to ensure quick heating. Slow cookers and chafing dishes aren’t recommended for reheating leftovers, as they often do not reach a temperature high enough to kill bacteria.
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