How Long Will Leftovers Stay Fresh in Your Refrigerator?

are a time when we usually have prepared massive amounts of food. We will usually haveleftovers. This can be a daunting task trying to decide what is still safe to eat and what needs to be discarded. There are few rules that you can go by.

If you have a large quantity of a food item, such as dressing make sure that you put it in smaller containers to keep in the refrigerator. When you store a large amount in a big bowl, the middle temperatures will not cool as quickly. Bacteria will grow rapidly in warm temperatures. It is important to refrigerate your leftovers as quickly as possible.

Generally leftovers are good for about 3 or 4 days. If it smells funny discard it. If there is mold of course you know it is not good to eat. We love oyster dressing. Seafood is especially dangerous if it has been setting out too long. It is better to be safe than sorry. It doesn't matter how hungry little children are in other countries, if you eat spoiled food it is not going to help anyone.

Leftover cooked meat will last longer in the refrigerator than uncooked meat will. You can eat leftover stews, soups, and spaghetti for up to 5 days without worrying. I don't like to eat anything that I have had in the refrigerator for over 5 days. If your refrigerator temperatures are well regulated your leftovers should be safe to eat.

The temperature in your refrigerator should be between 34 and 40 degrees. Bacteria grows rapidly at over 40 degrees. Frozen food will last almost indefinitely. Bacteria doesn't grow in freezing temperatures.

Leftovers that will not spoil as rapidly and that can be used without much concern are things like mashed potatoes. Vegetables are less likely to spoil as quickly as things like meat and seafood. If you have a dish with mayonnaise in it like potato salad you need to refrigerate it as soon as possible.

Use common sense if something doesn't look or smell right it is better to discard it than to take a chance on making yourself or someone else sick.

Cover your leftovers that you put in the refrigerator. Covering your dishes will help maintain their freshness and will not permeate your refrigerator with all the different odors from your dishes.

Food poisoning is miserable. You can die from food poisoning. If you don't die you may wish that you could. Food poisoning symptoms are vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. If you should get food poisoning get to a hospital immediately.

When reheating your leftovers, heat them thoroughly. It will help kill any bacteria that may be lurking in the food. Enjoy your leftovers. Sometimes turkey and the fixings taste even better the next day. Enjoy your festive meals but be safe.