Thanksgiving Leftovers Can Spoil Faster Than You Think: What to Know (2024)

Thanksgiving Leftovers Can Spoil Faster Than You Think: What to Know (1)Share on Pinterest
  • Thanksgiving leftovers can pose the risk of exposing people to foodborne illnesses if they aren’t prepared or stored properly.
  • People have a habit of leaving the food out on the buffet table long after the meal is finished. If turkey, stuffing, or gravy is left out at room temperature (40 to 140°F) for over 2 hours it may no longer be safe to eat.
  • Bacteria prospers at this temperature, increasing the risk of foodborne illness.
  • When stored properly in a refrigerator, turkey leftovers generally stay good for 3 to 4 days.

For many people, enjoying leftovers in the days following Thanksgiving is as integral a part of the beloved holiday as football and family tension.

Some may warm those leftovers on a plate, while others may simply pile turkey, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, and green bean casserole onto a Hawaiian roll for the most Thanksgiving sandwich you can imagine.

Either way, those leftovers are getting eaten.

Unfortunately, as delicious as those leftovers taste going down, your memories of them won’t be quite so grand if they wind up coming right back up.

“If one gets bacterial food poisoning from food that was handled or stored improperly, they can feel symptoms as soon as a few hours after consumption,” said registered dietitian Bonnie Balk of Maple Holistics.

Which foods you save, how you store them, and for how long can make a big difference in whether or not the items you plan to gobble after the Thanksgiving may pose a potential health risk.

Here’s what to keep in mind before you fill your plate with all that leftover Thanksgiving goodness.

Jamie Bacharach is a licensed medical acupuncturist and nutritional consultant for Acupuncture Jerusalem who has extensive experience helping her patients deal with foodborne illnesses.

She said that some of the biggest culprits of foodborne illness on your holiday table include:

  • Mashed potatoes. When left at room temperature for too long, mashed potatoes or any cooked potatoes can develop botulism due to the bacteria present. When baked in foil, this becomes even more likely. The bacteria may be so overwhelming that even reheating potatoes at a high temperature will not sufficiently kill it off.
  • Stuffing. Because it’s prone to the development of pathogenic bacteria, stuffing can prove dangerous to enjoy as a leftover. Stuffing often doesn’t give off a visual sign or smell of deterioration, but it can still make its consumers sick.
  • Turkey. Raw poultry is a hotbed of bacteria that can itself prove dangerous as well as contaminate other foods it comes into contact with. Even when sufficiently cooked, poultry presents certain dangers, particularly when dealing with a turkey that has been left out to develop bacteria for hours on Thanksgiving Day.

When it comes to Thanksgiving leftovers, people have a habit of leaving the food out on the buffet table for far too long before storing it away. That’s because everyone likes to continue grazing, even long after the meal has ended.

But this is one mistake that could lead to a lot of pain.

“If any turkey, stuffing, or gravy was left out at room temperature (40 to 140°F) for over 2 hours, say goodbye to your holiday souvenir,” said Balk. “Bacteria prospers at this temperature, increasing the risk of foodborne illness.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) backs her up, urging consumers to “refrigerate leftovers at 40°F or colder as soon as possible and within 2 hours of preparation to prevent food poisoning.”

If you want those leftovers for later enjoyment, forget Aunt Mildred barking at you about coming back for thirds and start storing your food items away as soon as you finish your first round.

When you do pack those leftovers up, Balk recommends portioning them out into smaller serving sizes for storage “to avoid a buildup of bacteria from growing.”

And because you want to ensure all food items are cooled prior to putting them in the refrigerator, since sealing warm food and putting it in a cool environment can promote moisture and bacterial growth, she suggests placing turkey in shallow containers with a tight cover for quicker cooling.

Bacharach said that another big mistake people make is overloading their fridge when they do store their leftovers.

“A family fridge may never be as full as it is after a Thanksgiving dinner, but what people don’t recognize is that when a fridge is too overloaded, the temperature of the fridge drops,” Bacharach said.

That means the food you thought you stored properly could be spoiling within the confines of your refrigerator, with bacteria reproducing and just waiting for a chance to make you sick.

“Learn to recognize when your fridge is not operating at its full capacity,” Bacharach advised. “And adjust your food storage accordingly.”

So, let’s say you were smart and got all your leftovers stored away properly, with plenty of fridge room to spare. That doesn’t mean you can enjoy those leftovers indefinitely.

Food still spoils eventually, even when properly stored.

“Bear in mind that turkey leftovers stay good for 3 to 4 days in the fridge,” Balk explained.

It’s a timeline that’s generally a safe bet for all your other Thanksgiving favorites as well.

“If you plan to eat them longer, then consider freezing them, as they can safely last in the freezer 2 to 6 months,” Balk added.

While we know that sandwich we mentioned earlier sounds delicious — a bit of Thanksgiving in every bite — keep in mind that eating leftovers straight from the fridge increases your risk of contracting a foodborne illness.

“Undercooked food or under heated leftovers have not been hit with a sufficient amount of heat in order to kill threatening bacteria that develops and persists,” said Bacharach. “Eating leftovers cold, or eating your food raw or undercooked the first time around, are sure ways to increase the risks that leftover food will cause problems when eaten.”

To reduce those risks, she suggests cooking all foods to at least 150°F. This will “avoid the danger zone of 40 to 140 degrees for cooking as defined by the USDA.”

Sometimes you can do everything right, or at least think you’re doing everything right, and foodborne bacteria will still become an issue.

If you begin experiencing any signs of stomach upset, Bacharach says you should throw out the foods you suspect may have made you ill immediately.

“It is advisable to begin consuming foods which can naturally counteract the effects of the illness,” Bacharach explained. “This includes ginger, thanks to its anti-inflammatory and warming properties, and green onions, which are high in antibacterial and antimicrobial content.”

These, she explained, can be brewed into a tea and sipped while symptoms persist.

“Drink plenty of water in order to replenish your fluids and keep you well hydrated while you are suffering from your illness, as dehydration is a risk.”

And if you do feel like eating, she suggests keeping your meals light.

“Your system is being taxed enough trying to fight through food poisoning, it doesn’t need the added task of digesting new, challenging foods,” she said.

When in doubt, don’t hesitate to seek medical advice and throw any remaining leftovers out.

Thanksgiving Leftovers Can Spoil Faster Than You Think: What to Know (2024)

FAQs

Thanksgiving Leftovers Can Spoil Faster Than You Think: What to Know? ›

If turkey, stuffing, or gravy is left out at room temperature (40 to 140°F) for over 2 hours it may no longer be safe to eat. Bacteria prospers at this temperature, increasing the risk of foodborne illness. When stored properly in a refrigerator, turkey leftovers generally stay good for 3 to 4 days.

How long can Thanksgiving leftovers last? ›

The answer is simple: leftovers can be kept in the refrigerator for three to four days. This means you have until the Monday after Thanksgiving to eat all those delicious leftovers or place them in the freezer to enjoy later. If you store leftovers in the freezer, they will be of best quality within 2-6 months.

Can I eat leftover turkey after 7 days? ›

USDA recommends using cooked turkey within 3 to 4 days, kept refrigerated (40°F or less). Refrigeration slows but does not stop bacterial growth. Turkey can be frozen for 3 to 4 months. Although safe indefinitely, frozen leftovers can lose moisture and flavor when stored for longer times in the freezer.

What should you do with leftovers from Thanksgiving that has sat out for longer than 2 hours? ›

If foods have been left out for more than two hours, discard items to prevent foodborne illness.

How long until leftovers spoil? ›

Leftovers can be kept for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. After that, the risk of food poisoning goes up. If you don't think you'll be able to eat leftovers within four days, freeze them right away.

How long can food sit out on Thanksgiving? ›

How to Properly Store Thanksgiving Leftovers. Hot or cold foods at room temperature should be left out no longer than two hours—that number goes down to one hour when the temperature is over 90 degrees. If food has been left out for more than two hours, it's best to throw it away.

Is it safe to eat Thanksgiving leftovers on Monday? ›

The Monday after Thanksgiving means anything still in the refrigerator needs to go. This is your last chance to eat it, freeze it or dump what's left of the leftovers.

What is the danger zone for leftovers? ›

Handling leftovers

Keep foods out of the danger zone, between 4°C (40°F) and 60°C (140°F) to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. Throw away any cooked food left out at room temperature for more than two hours. Never rely on your nose, eyes or taste buds to judge the safety of food.

What is the 2 2 2 rule for leftovers? ›

Remember the 2-2-2 rule

This is the most important thing when it comes to leftovers to ensure they are safe to eat. Make sure you cool them, cover them and get them into the fridge within two hours of cooking. Eat your leftovers within two days. Either eat them cold or heat them until they are piping hot.

Can you eat stuffing after 5 days? ›

Dressing/stuffing: Like turkey, if stored properly, stuffing or dressing will be safe to eat for three to four days after cooking. It will last for about a month if stored properly in the freezer. Cranberry sauce – homemade and store-bought: Homemade cranberry sauce lasts seven to 10 days.

How do you know if leftovers have gone bad? ›

Some obvious signs that your leftovers are no longer safe to eat is if there is a color change or visible mold. If you also notice a difference in texture, such as the food looking dried or shriveled, or a sheet of slime on the surface, you can assume that the food is also likely spoiled and should be trashed.

When should you not eat leftovers? ›

Leftovers can be kept in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days or frozen for 3 to 4 months. Although safe indefinitely, frozen leftovers can lose moisture and flavor when stored for longer times in the freezer.

Is it safe to eat food left out for 4 hours? ›

Bacteria can grow rapidly on food left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours. If food is left out in a room or outdoors where the temperature is 90 degrees F or hotter, food should be refrigerated or discarded within just 1 hour. Myth: When I microwave food, the microwaves kill the bacteria.

Can you eat turkey 5 days after Thanksgiving? ›

Turkey: 3-4 days.

Eat turkey within three to four days of cooking. If you use the turkey in a new dish like a soup or casserole, only consume within those initial four days. Another option is freezing the cooked turkey. Turkey can last up to four more months if frozen.

Is Thanksgiving food good after 4 days? ›

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service recommends throwing out refrigerated leftovers after three to four days. If foods are kept in the freezer, they can usually still be consumed for three to four months. There is some flexibility in these rules, however.

Are 3 day old leftovers still good? ›

Discard all perishable foods, such as meat, poultry, eggs, side dishes, or casseroles, left at room temperature longer than two hours; one hour in room temperatures above 90 °F. Once leftovers are stored safely, they will remain safe three to four days.

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