If you’re doing occasions right, you’re going to have some recipes.
There’s a time limit on how long you can safely store that hearty turkey and cranberry sauce though, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Here’s what you need to know before you pack your Thanksgiving favorites away.
Depending on whether you’re planning to stash your food in the fridge or freezer, Thanksgiving leftovers can last anywhere from three to four days to two to six months.
There’s a time limit on how long you can safely store that hearty turkey and cranberry sauce though, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
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To ensure your food is stored away before harmful infectious-disease can form, the USDA recommends dividing up dishes into shallow containers within two hours of cooking. It’s OK if your food is still warm when you pack it up, the national agriculture and food safety authority reports.
Turkey
Cooked turkey can be kept in a fridge for three or four days. The USDA does not provide guidelines on freezing turkey leftovers.
The same is true if your family-and-friends” target=”_blank”>family<, cooked pork and cooked beef. Plant-based alternatives like tofu can be stored for up to one week in a fridge if fresh or five months in a freezer, according to the USDA’S FoodKeeper App.
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Stuffing
The USDA said leftover stuffing should be consumed or frozen within three or four days. When frozen, stuffing can last between two and three months.
Uncooked stuffing can also be frozen but it will need to be cooked immediately when removed from a freezer, according to the USDA’s “Handling Stuffing with Care Guide.” The frozen stuffing should be cooked until it reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
The USDA said most Thanksgiving leftovers can be stored for three to four day in a fridge.
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Potatoes, Yams and Green Beans
Mashed potatoes and other Thanksgiving vegetables like yams and green beans can last three or four days when stored in a fridge.
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Cranberry Sauce
Thanksgiving cranberry sauce can be homemade or come from a can, but both options have a drastically different shelf life.
According to the USDA’s FoodKeeper App, homemade cranberry sauce can be refrigerated seven to 10 days after purchase while canned cranberry sauce can be refrigerated for one to two weeks after opening. Freezing is not recommended because thawing cranberry sauce may make it “become too watery.”
Some Thanksgiving leftovers can be frozen for several months at a time, including stuffing, gravy and pies, according to food safety experts.
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Gravy
Leftover gravy can be stored in a fridge for three to four days or in a freezer for four to six months, according to the USDA.
When reheating gravy, the USDA recommends boiling the liquid to ensure its safety. The same is true for leftover sauces and soups.
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Pie
The USDA said homemade pies that contain egg, cream or chiffon can be stored in a fridge for three to four days, including pumpkin, pecan, lemon meringue and custard pies. Fruit-based pies, on the other hand, can be stored at room temperature for one to two days or in a fridge for up to a week. Store-bought or bakery pies may contain preservatives, so the USDA recommends consulting the pie’s packaging or baker in these instances.
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While the USDA does not have freezing guidelines for baked pies, the Michigan State University Extension school reports that baked pies can be frozen for up to six months.
