When To Start Chucking Your Thanksgiving Leftovers
Happy leftovers day! This morning on the show, Lisa and I were talking about the leftovers we have after Thanksgiving. After all the feast has been had, it's time to put all the deliciousness that was leftover into their new homes: Tupperware, or, if it's like my house, old butter containers. Many are not a fan of leftovers, but, I totally love leftovers! If you're like me and are excited to prepare another Thanksgiving plate today and ready for another turkey coma, be wary, your leftovers won't stay good for long!
According to the U.S. Department of Human & Health Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, your Thanksgiving favorites will usually last on average, four days. It's also advised to use your instincts, if something looks or smells gross, don't take a chance. The last thing you want this weekend is food poisoning. Here's how long your leftovers are good for:
- Turkey - Leftover poultry only lasts three to four days in the fridge and four months in the freezer, or six months if it’s frozen in broth or gravy.
- Ham - Just three to four days in the fridge and one to two months in the freezer.
- Mashed potatoes - When you cook them with cream and butter, they’re good for three to four days in the refrigerator and frozen, they can last up to two months. But if you cook them without dairy, they can last in the freezer for 10 to 12 months.
- Gravy - Any broth made with meat will also last three to four days in the fridge and one to two months if frozen.
- Cranberry sauce - It’s not great for freezing since it can get too watery when thawed, but it can last for up to a week in the fridge.
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