25 Thanksgiving Leftovers Recipes (2024)

FAQs

How long are Thanksgiving leftovers good in the fridge? ›

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.

We've got plenty of ideas that go beyond the typical turkey sandwich. Try a cozy turkey soup recipe, leftover turkey pot pie, or Ree's take on turkey tetrazzini. There are also tons of recipes for reusing your leftover cranberry sauce, extra mashed potatoes, or even the green bean casserole.

Freezing Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes and Other Side Dishes

However, sides made of squash or sweet potatoes will keep for a few months in the freezer, as will gravies that aren't dairy-based. Additionally, mashed potatoes made with a lot of butter or cream can also be frozen for up to a year.

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.

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. Frozen leftovers will stay safe for a long time.

How long do leftovers last? According to the FDA Food Code, all perishable foods that are opened or prepared should be thrown out after 7 days, maximum. No leftovers should survive in your fridge for longer than that. Some foods should be even be thrown away before the 7 day mark.

How Long Can You Freeze Leftover Turkey? Leftover turkey freezes well for up to six months if properly handled, packed and frozen within three days of the original preparation. However, I like to try and use it within three months for best flavor and texture, and to avoid the possibility of freezer burn.

Simply heat your oven to 300 degrees, put the carved meat in a baking dish, and add some chicken broth or turkey stock to the pan. The meat will absorb some of the liquid as it heats, making it nice and juicy. Cover the pan tightly with foil and place it in the oven until the meat is hot, 20 to 30 minutes.

Remember, every time they're removed from the refrigerator, it gives pathogens an opportunity to grow. Your leftover turkey sandwich is fine cold, if you cooked it properly the first time.

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.

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.

Thanksgiving leftovers should last up to four days in the fridge. But the key is to store the extra food properly! Here are some tips for storing your leftovers: Pack your leftover mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, gravy, and casseroles in several small containers (rather than one large container).

According to the USDA, leftovers should be frozen or eaten within four days, which means the Monday after Thanksgiving is your last day to safely eat leftovers. Starting Tuesday, they should be in the freezer or tossed.