Is your refrigerator packed with leftover food from the holidays?
Among the best things about having holiday parties are the leftovers because you have food the next day (or for the next few days if you hosted a big holiday party).
And, for some reason, leftovers taste much better than the newly-cooked stuff (but maybe that’s just me…).
You may be tempted to keep your leftovers for as long as they’re still in the fridge, but be careful because you can only refrigerate leftovers for a certain number of days before the food spoils.
According to the Department of Agriculture, that certain number is four.
As a parent, dealing with kids that have food poisoning can be a hassle, especially as you’re winding down the old year and getting ready for the new.
Here are a couple of things you can do to make sure your leftovers are still good to eat…
- Don’t let perishable foods sit out at room temperature for more than two hours (or for more than one hour at temperatures above 90F)
- Uncooked foods like salads or sandwiches should either be eaten or refrigerated promptly
- Reheat leftovers thoroughly before consumption. Afterward, use a thermometer to check that foods have reached 165F.
What sorts of leftovers did your family end up with this holiday season? And what creative things have you done with them?
Food poisoning: How long can you safely keep leftovers? [MayoClinic]
