If you enjoyed a delicious Thanksgiving dinner, your feast will most likely last for the rest of the week. The traditional reheated turkey and other dishes are, in the opinion of many, even better than freshly cooked dinner.
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However, it is important to take into account that perishable foods must be heated to a certain temperature after being refrigerated, mainly to avoid the growth of bacteria that can make you sick.
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How long do turkey and other dishes last in the refrigerator?
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The first rule of thumb from the Department of Agriculture is to put leftovers in the refrigerator in a closed container as soon as they are done cooking or reheating, even when they are still hot or have steam coming out of them.
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A recent study revealed that 76 percent of people wait for leftovers to reach room temperature before refrigerating, however this is not necessary as it can give bacteria time to grow.
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“They can last three to four days in the refrigerator, so you can still enjoy them. But if you are going to take them out to reheat them, make sure they reach a temperature of 165 F ”, explains María Machuca, a food safety specialist at the US Department of Agriculture.
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So doing the math, you have until next Monday to continue enjoying what was left of that delicious Thanksgiving dinner. Surprisingly, three out of four people say they keep what is left of their Thanksgiving dinner for more than four days, a dangerous practice due to the possibility of bacteria growth.
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Now, if you decide to freeze the leftovers, it is advisable to eat them in a period of between 2 and 6 months to enjoy them without losing their quality.
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“Meat and poultry are the ones that can spoil the fastest, as well as perishable foods,” adds Machuca.
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How should the dishes be reheated correctly?
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The Department of Agriculture notes that it is completely safe to reheat frozen leftovers directly in a skillet, microwave, or conventional oven. Reheating will take longer than after defrosting, but it is safe to do so if you don’t have enough time.
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Reheated foods must reach a temperature of 165 F in order to be consumed; In addition, it is important to cover them so that the heat reaches the entire dish.
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Here are some recommendations from the USDA depending on the dish you are going to reheat:
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- Make sure sauces, soups and gravies come to a boil before serving.
- If you use the microwave, check the temperature of the food by placing a thermometer at different points, since it is common that there are portions that have not been heated enough.
- Add a little liquid to the microwave to generate more steam and humidity, which helps kill any bacteria present.
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