We're always concerned about food safety, but at holiday time many of us have more questions than usual about how long leftovers will last in the refrigerator.
In order for the guide below to be accurate, foods must be kept covered in a refrigerator at the proper safe temperature zone, which is 38 - 40 degrees. No food should be allowed to sit out at room temperature for more than 2 hours. (This means a total of 2 hours during its lifetime, and doesn't mean 2 hours every time you take it out of the refrigerator.) And, of course, if you have any doubt about whether or not a food is still fresh: BE SAFE AND THROW IT OUT!!
REFRIGERATED LEFTOVER LIFETIMES:
Cooked Turkey: 2 days
Cooked Ham: 3-4 days
Cold Cut Trays: 3 days
Cooked Stuffing (outside a bird): 1-2 days
Mashed Potatoes: 1-2 days
Cranberry Sauce: 7 days
Cooked Sweet Potatoes: 7 days
Pumpkin Pie: 2-3 days
Egg Nog: 4-5 days after the "sell by" date
Fruitcake: No one really knows!!!
In order for the guide below to be accurate, foods must be kept covered in a refrigerator at the proper safe temperature zone, which is 38 - 40 degrees. No food should be allowed to sit out at room temperature for more than 2 hours. (This means a total of 2 hours during its lifetime, and doesn't mean 2 hours every time you take it out of the refrigerator.) And, of course, if you have any doubt about whether or not a food is still fresh: BE SAFE AND THROW IT OUT!!
REFRIGERATED LEFTOVER LIFETIMES:
Cooked Turkey: 2 days
Cooked Ham: 3-4 days
Cold Cut Trays: 3 days
Cooked Stuffing (outside a bird): 1-2 days
Mashed Potatoes: 1-2 days
Cranberry Sauce: 7 days
Cooked Sweet Potatoes: 7 days
Pumpkin Pie: 2-3 days
Egg Nog: 4-5 days after the "sell by" date
Fruitcake: No one really knows!!!
