Thankful for Leftovers?

Enjoy Thanksgiving weekend without an illness…prepare leftovers safely!

After eating your weight in turkey and the fixings, it is hard to believe how much food is left after a holiday such as Thanksgiving. We always seem so fortunate to have leftovers for days…but how do you prepare leftovers safely? Feeding your family and friends leftovers is great but could be unsafe if not done properly. Follow these tips to ensure safe handling and reheating for each of your turkey meals that follow the feast.

General Tips
Discard any food left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours (1 hour if the temperature was above 90 °F). Place food into shallow containers and immediately put in the refrigerator or freezer for rapid cooling. Use cooked leftovers within 4 days. Always wash hands with warm water and soap for 20 seconds before and after handling food.

Storage
Freezer (0 °F or below)
Turkey slices/pieces, plain………..4 months
Turkey covered with broth/gravy…6 months
Cooked poultry dishes……….4 to 6 months
Stuffing and gravy…………………..1 month
(Foods frozen for longer periods remain safe, but may become dry and lose flavor.)

Fridge (40 °F or below)
Turkey slices/pieces, plain………..3 to 4 days
Turkey covered with broth/gravy…1 to 2 days
Cooked poultry dishes……….4 to 6 months
Stuffing…………………..3 to 4 days

To Reheat Turkey In Conventional Oven
According to the USDA, reheating a whole turkey is NOT recommended. Instead, slice breast meat. Legs and wings may be left whole. Shingle 3/8" thick breast slices in oven proof pan or spread out whole legs or wings in a single layer in oven proof pan; sprinkle with juices or water; and cover with foil. Heat in preheated 350º oven for 35-45 minutes or until heated through to 165º F, until hot and steaming. Larger whole parts may take additional time.


To Reheat Turkey In Microwave
Shingle 3/8" thick breast slices in microwave safe pan or spread out whole legs or wings in a single layer in microwave safe pan; sprinkle with juices or water; and cover with plastic wrap. Rotate dish so it heats evenly. Follow oven manufacturer's cooking guide for best results. In general, for a 600-700 watt oven, heat on high setting (100%) for several minutes (adjust time according to amount being heated), until heated through to 165ºF. Use the following approximate time guidelines: for 2 slices, heat 1-1½ minutes, 4 slices, heat 2-2½ minutes and for 10 slices, heat 8-10 minutes


To Reheat Ham In Conventional Oven
1. Place in oven and cover for 1 hour at 325 degrees, if not done, check on the ham every 15 minutes thereafter.

To Reheat Candied Yams
1. Place in oven and cover for 30-45 minutes at 325º
2. Uncover pan and place Marshmallows on
top and place back in the oven for 3 minutes

To Reheat Stuffing To Reheat Rolls
1. Place oven and cover for 45 minutes at 325º
2. Uncover pan to lightly brown

To Reheat Rolls
Place in oven and cover for 10 minutes at 325*

To Reheat Mashed Potatoes
Place in oven and cover for 20 minutes at 325º

To Reheat Brussels Sprouts
Place in oven and cover for 15 at 325º

To Reheat Bread Pudding
Place in oven for 20 minutes at 325º

To Reheat Apple Cobbler
Place in oven for 30 minutes at 325º

To Reheat Giblet Gravy
Bring to a Simmer