How to Keep Thanksgiving Leftovers Safe and Delicious

Stay Fresh: After the table is cleared and the dishes are done, the real Thanksgiving ritual begins: figuring out what to do with all those leftovers. But instead of just shoving everything into the fridge, it’s worth taking the time to store leftovers properly.

The Benefits: Good storage habits matter more than most people realize because they keep leftovers safer and tasting fresher. Food safety experts note that bacteria grow quickly when dishes cool too slowly or sit out too long, so getting them chilled promptly and keeping them fully covered helps slow that growth and prevents flavors from turning stale or metallic.

How to Do It: Get leftovers into the fridge within two hours of cooking. Large portions like turkey or mashed potatoes cool more safely when you divide them into smaller containers with tight-fitting lids (skip aluminum foil since it doesn’t protect against air or moisture and makes it easier for odors to creep in). Label containers with the date and plan to eat or freeze leftovers within a few days. And if you’re unsure how long something sat out or whether it’s still safe, it’s better to throw it out than risk getting sick.