Second Acts Thanksgiving Leftovers

Keep it safe: Ten tips for storing leftovers 

1. Pack up your holiday meal leftovers within two hours of serving.
   
   
2. Use shallow containers so food can cool quickly in the refrigerator or freezer.
   
   
3. Keep the refrigerated leftovers only 3 or 4 days - gravy only 1 or 2 days. Freeze leftovers as soon as you can.
   
   
4. Store turkey and stuffing separately.
   
   
5. Reheat leftovers until hot and steaming. Don't reheat in a slow cooker.
   
   
6. Freeze at 0 degrees. At that temp, your leftovers should be good for up to four months.
   
   
7. Keep your leftovers free of freezer burn by squeezing the air out of filled freezer bags before you seal them.
   
   
8. Refrigerate and freeze juicy foods in storage containers so the juices won't leak onto other foods.
   
   
9. Mark your freezer containers with the contents and the date you packed them up.
   
   
10. .  Defrost frozen foods in the refrigerator, never at room temperature. 

How long can I keep leftovers?

Download and save a handy reference chart from Ziploc® storage containers , so you can enjoy leftovers at their best!

Not your grandma’s leftovers

Can’t face another hot turkey sandwich?  You’re in luck.  We’ve got creative ways to use your leftovers that are so good, you’ll be roasting a turkey just to make these recipes again (and again).

• Appetizers
• Soups
• Casseroles
• Sandwiches
• Pizzas