According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Monday was the last day people should consume their Thanksgiving leftovers.
Leftovers can be kept in the refrigerator for three to four days if properly stored, but after four days, spoilage bacteria can cause the food to develop a bad smell and taste according to the USDA.
Leftovers in the freezer can last much longer, but they will be of best quality within 2-6 months.
According to the CDC, the bacteria, Clostridium perfringens, grows in cooked foods left at room temperature and is the second most common bacterial cause of food poisoning.
Clostridium perfringens outbreak occur most during November and December with many of the outbreaks linking to holiday foods such as turkey and roast beef. This is another reason why taking care of and properly storing leftovers is essential to your health during the holiday seasons.
When it comes to refrigerating Thanksgiving leftovers, and perishable items in general, the USDA recommends following the Two-Hour rule.
Two hours after taking perishable items out of the oven or refrigerator, they enter the danger zone which is between 40 F and 140 F. When food reaches this temperature range, bacteria can multiply quickly and cause the food to become unsafe. The USDA recommends discarding food that has been left out for more than two hours.
Another way to keep your leftover fresh is to break the food down into smaller portions and store them in shallow containers.
When reheating leftovers, the USDA suggests ensuring the leftovers reach 165 F to destroy harmful bacteria. To safely reheat soups, sauces and gravies, bring them to a rolling boil.
When reheating leftovers in the microwave, cover and rotate the food for even heating. Due to microwaves having cold spots, use a food thermometer in several places to check if the internal temperature reached 165 F.