How Long Holiday Leftovers Actually Stay Good For
Everyone is bound to have a fridge full of holiday leftovers this time of year. Between Christmas, Thanksgiving, Kwanza, Hanukkah, and holidays this time of year, leftovers are often stuffed into Tupperware and tossed into the refrigerator for safekeeping. But how long are leftovers good for?
Different holiday leftovers have a different shelf life when it comes them staying fresh. Just like one might meal prep for everyday life, coming up with a game plan for using or freezing leftovers that may go bad first is critical. Having a plan for just how and when to use the food you have left over from your most recent holiday feast can save a lot of food from going to waste.
Ideally, any holiday leftovers need to be stored away almost immediately. The longer food sits out, the higher the chance it has of growing bacteria related to food born illness. Cooked food should be left out for a maximum of two hours to prevent any bacteria from growing on your food.
Additionally, storing holiday leftovers immediately will seal in freshness. This is a case of the sooner, the better, for more than reason. Hot food also need not be cooled down before putting them in a storage dish and placing them in the refrigerator.
For those who have holiday leftovers that contain chicken, this should be consumed within three to four days in the refrigerator. If you put the leftovers in the freezer, plan for them to be used within four months. If you have leftover chicken that you didn’t cook for your holiday meal, one or two days in the fridge and up to a year in a freezer is recommended.
Similarly to raw chicken, raw turkey last in the refrigerator for one or two days. Holiday leftovers from the turkey can be stored for up to four days. Kind of surprising just how fast things can go bad and potentially begin to grow harmful bacteria.
If you cooked a rack of lamb or roast beef or any red meat, these holiday leftovers could also be stored for up to four days in the refrigerator. Ground beef, however, should be consumed within a day or two after being stored in the fridge. These meats have a longer life span if stored in the freezer.
Holiday leftovers in the form of pork chops or any pork should be consumed within three to four days. Fish, such as salmon, is only good for one to three days when stored properly. Some other fish may be good for up to four days.
It is unlikely that anyone has any deviled eggs but if, for some reason, these little treats made it to be kept as holiday leftovers, eat them within four days. Macaroni and cheese should also be consumed within four days. Mashed potatoes are good for three to five days when properly stored.
Cooked vegetables can be stored for up to a week. Before you eat any holiday leftovers, take a sniff and let your nose be the judge if something is spoiled or not. Heating things on the stove or in the oven can be your best option when it comes to reheating.
