Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day, are you looking forward to it? Or are you looking to Friday and wondering what you're going to do with your Thanksgiving leftovers? We know that we are. It seems as though no matter how much you downsize or calculate the number of people you have coming, Thanksgiving leftovers are going to happen. Do they multiply somehow? And none of us want to waste perfectly good food, especially if it means that we don't have to cook for several days going forward. How long do those leftovers last, though? What if you want to save some of Grandmama's special cranberry sauce for several months from now when you're craving her recipe?
We've put together the ultimate guide for how long your Thanksgiving leftovers will last in your fridge or your freezer. We've also found how to tell if they've gone bad, and a few recipes if you're looking for exciting ways to reuse what you have. While we haven't covered all of the things that go into a Thanksgiving meal, we have tried to hit all of the major bases.
Storing Your Thanksgiving Leftovers
An important note! All of these times are based on the supposition that you are getting your food into the fridge within two hours of serving time. You CAN put food into the refrigerator while it's still warm, and if you package it in shallow dishes, it'll cool very quickly. As tempting as it is to wait till after everyone has eaten and is full, it also gives bacteria a chance to start growing.
Let's Talk Turkey
It's true, for most of us, turkey is the star of the show. The fights over the wishbone and dark meat vs. light are a common Thanksgiving memory in many families. So how do you go about taking care of all the delicious leftovers?
In your refrigerator, turkey can last between 3 and 4 days. After that point, it will start to smell sour and have a slimy texture. When reheating it, make sure that it's piping hot throughout and that you're only warming as much as you need at one time. Turkey should only be reheated once after the initial cooking. If you opt to put your turkey into the freezer, it will last you between 2 and 6 months. If you want to reuse your turkey, why not try out this Turkey Tetrazzini from over at Crunchy Creamy Sweet? Since it all cooks in one pot, making and cleaning up after it is easy!
What A Ham
Some of us prefer a different main dish, and for many, that means ham. Ham is a delicious alternative and easy, given that you don't have to pay nearly as much attention to it as you do a turkey. After the meal is over, though, it lasts just as long as the turkey in the fridge. In the freezer, on the other hand, a spiral cut, cooked ham, will only last you two months, according to the Food Safety Administration. Ham is even easier to tell if it's gone bad in comparison to turkey. If it's been in there for longer than a few days, it's going to have a foul odor. When that happens, trust your instincts and toss it immediately, don't try tasting it! If you're wanting to avoid any of it going to waste, though, consider this recipe Honey Ham and Cheese Quiche over at Plain Chicken.
Let’s Mash it Out
Moving on to the most common side dish, or so Hallmark would have you think, is mashed potatoes. In the refrigerator, they'll last for four days. Freezing is not the best idea for potatoes, though, due to the high starch content. They're more likely to end up with large ice chunks and become inedible after. If you're questioning if they are still good after four days, look for a glossy appearance or a liquid in the bottom of the container. And if you're interested in something tasty to turn them into, check out this recipe from Hot Eats and Cool Reads, their Onion and Cheddar Mashed Potato Cakes recipe.
The Cranberry On Top
Whether you prefer homemade or out of a can, cranberry sauce is a Thanksgiving staple. Fortunately, it'll last in the fridge for two weeks or in the freezer for two months! If you put it into the refrigerator, keep an eye out for it. If you put it in the freezer, you can pair it with different meals up until it hits the loss of quality date. One you might enjoy is this recipe for Cranberry Sauce Muffins from Go Dairy Free.
Pass the Gravy, Please
Ahh delicious homemade gravy. That perfect blend of flavors that brings together a Thanksgiving meal. (Or saves it if you accidentally burned the turkey.) Sadly it only lasts for two days in the fridge. However, what you can do is use an ice cube tray to freeze individual portions and keep them for up to two months.
Of course, all of these numbers can be off if your refrigerator is over-packed or if your seal is broken. If you find that's the case, or if your fridge is giving you other troubles, consider checking over our list of warning signs.
Do you have any tricks for using up leftovers or how to clean up the kitchen more quickly after a Thanksgiving feast? We'd love to hear from you in the comments!