How long do Thanksgiving leftovers last?
Turkey, stuffing, gravy and sides keep 3 to 4 days in the fridge. Pumpkin pie keeps 3 to 4 days too. What to freeze, for how long, and how to reheat it all.
By Zain Nazeer, founder and editor
Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Unsplash
Most Thanksgiving leftovers keep 3 to 4 days in the fridge at 40°F (4°C) or colder: turkey, stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes, vegetables and casseroles. That is the USDA's guidance for a cooked holiday dinner, counted from the day of the meal. Anything you will not eat by then should go in the freezer. UK guidance is stricter and says eat cooked leftovers within 2 days.
How long does each Thanksgiving leftover last?
- Turkey: 3 to 4 days in the fridge; 4 to 6 months frozen, or 1 to 2 months in gravy or broth.
- Stuffing: 3 to 4 days; 2 to 3 months frozen.
- Gravy: 3 to 4 days; 2 to 3 months frozen.
- Mashed potatoes: 3 to 4 days; they freeze well with butter or cream.
- Casseroles and vegetable sides: 3 to 4 days; 2 to 3 months frozen.
- Pumpkin pie: 3 to 4 days in the fridge; 1 to 2 months frozen.
- Cranberry sauce: 7 to 10 days homemade; 1 to 2 weeks once a can is opened.
How soon do leftovers need to go in the fridge?
Within 2 hours of the turkey coming out of the oven, or 1 hour if the room is above 90°F (32°C). That includes pumpkin pie, which is an egg custard. Long meals are where this goes wrong: carve the turkey and put the leftovers away before dessert, not after.
How should you store a whole turkey's worth of meat?
Take the meat off the bones, cut it into smaller pieces and refrigerate it in shallow containers so it cools quickly. Take any stuffing out of the bird straight away and store it separately. More in how long cooked turkey lasts.
What should you freeze straight away?
Anything you will not eat in the next three days: freeze it on day one, not day four. Turkey, stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes and casseroles all freeze well in meal-sized portions. Cranberry sauce does not; the USDA does not recommend freezing it. See can you freeze mashed potatoes and how to prevent freezer burn.
How do you reheat Thanksgiving leftovers safely?
Reheat everything until it is steaming hot all the way through, 165°F (74°C), and bring gravy to a rolling boil. Add a splash of broth to turkey and stuffing so they do not dry out. Thaw frozen leftovers in the fridge, or reheat small portions straight from frozen. More in how to reheat meal prep and how to thaw meal prep safely.
How can you turn leftovers into meal prep?
Leftover turkey works anywhere chicken does: in rice bowls such as garlic chicken and rice bowls, or in place of the chicken in a chicken enchilada bake. Portion it into lunches for the week and freeze the rest. For all the storage times in one place, see the printable storage chart.
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