How to Store Leftovers Without Poisoning Your Loved Ones
With the holidays up ahead, most people will have an excess of food in the house left over after Thanksgiving and beyond. Plus, holiday time or not, cooking large meals can be a way to stretch your budget — and then take a break from cooking and enjoy the leftovers for a few days.
So how exactly should you store all this food — and how long can you safely eat leftovers?
Two food experts shared some smart leftover food safety guidelines. Here’s what you need to know to stay safe — and to waste as little food as possible. If you’re creating a meal with meat or seafood, be sure to refrigerate leftovers in a timely fashion to preserve the meal.
How long can cooked poultry, beef or seafood leftovers or vegetable-based dishes be kept safely in the fridge? If you’re creating a meal with meat or seafood, be sure to refrigerate leftovers in a timely fashion to preserve the meal.
The leftovers should be fine for a few days. “Our general rule is that all cooked food is safe in a refrigerator kept at 40F 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 this so important? Well because according Mr.Garcia “After two hours in temperatures between 40F and 140F bacteria can multiply like rabbits on speed.”
It’s important breaking down large meals like turkey into smaller portions so they may cool faster which makes sense when explained by one expert who says “a whole turkey placed in the fridge will take longer than sliced meats put away.”
What are some other ways of storing these lovely treats? It’s important wrapping them well because no one likes getting sick from old roasts! Vanessa Imus claims “If you didn’t label your food forget about it!”
As anyone can imagine having guests running around while trying not die of salmonella poisoning creates chaos but fear not! Ms.Imus has suggested setting timers!
However if despite everything someone still manages get sick don’t worry just email MPHotline@usda.gov because nothing says Christmas cheer more than getting personal advice on avoiding death by eating old fish!
In conclusion remember folks: look out for each other; wash your hands; set those timers ;and always ask questions before dying from old roast beef!
