The best way to Retailer Thanksgiving Leftovers for Most Longevity

By now, you have stuffed your self with sufficient cranberry-soaked turkey to final you till subsequent 12 months. Still, there is a formidable quantity of leftovers, and also you’re kidding your self when you assume you will not be craving them if you get up tomorrow with a meals coma/hangover.

So, profit from your post-Thanksgiving scraps and use the strategies under to retailer your leftover meals correctly. Mashed potatoes, pecan pie, the ginormous turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, gravy — all of the staples are lined.

1. Leftover Pie

Since it is the best factor to select up on the grocery retailer, there’s at all times leftover pie at vacation gatherings. Plus, as a result of pie pairs exceptionally nicely with coffee in the morning (do not choose), you are going to wish to prolong its lifespan for so long as doable.

Cut the pie into slices, then individually wrap them in plastic or seal them in an hermetic container. This helps keep the bacteria from spoiling your food, and the pies retain moisture. It additionally prevents you from having to take your entire pie out each time you wish to eat a slice.

If you intend on hanging on to them for greater than every week, retailer the pie within the freezer. If not, a refrigerator will do. All kinds of pie freeze nicely except it’s manufactured from very delicate elements. You may wish to scrape off any whipped cream earlier than you retailer it, although — that does have a tendency to select up freezer burn after a brief interval.

2. Leftover Turkey

Carve any leftover turkey remaining on the bone earlier than you retailer it. Before you begin hacking away at your prize fowl, study how to carve it correctly. Now, place the meat in a shallow container, fairly than a big one which traps extra warmth. The faster the meals cools, the much less time they spend within the 40ºF–140°F range that leaves it susceptible to bacteria.

A semi pro-tip: I splash leftover turkey with gravy earlier than it hits the fridge. It could be totally in my thoughts, however I prefer to assume that this retains it from drying out.

3. Leftover Stuffing & Mashed Potatoes

We know it is tempting, however do not retailer the stuffing, mashed potatoes, and turkey in the identical container. Keeping them separate prevents cross-contamination and, just like the individually wrapped pie, makes for straightforward reheating. Apply the shallow container rule to those aspect dishes, and if in case you have room in your fridge, do not stack them. Not stacking them lets cool air circulate around each container, getting them out of the 40ºF–140°F “hazard zone” talked about earlier.

When reheating stuffing (and this additionally works for mashed potatoes), Home Cooking has nice recommendation:

Leftover stuffing could be fluffed, wrapped in foil (or positioned in a baking dish), dotted with softened butter and reheated within the oven 15 to twenty minutes at 350°F.

If you go the microwave route, be sure you know all the tricks so it reheats your meals correctly.

4. Leftover Cranberry Sauce & Gravy

While each could be saved in air-tight containers or heavy-duty baggage within the fridge, the gravy could be frozen in an ice dice tray. Before pouring within the gravy, spray or rub the tray’s compartments with cooking oil in order that the savory cubes slide out simply if you want them. Next, use a ladle or spoon to fill every slot and punctiliously slip them into the freezer, leaving them there till they’re stable. When prepared, pop them out and seal them in a bag.

If the gravy is watery if you reheat it, add cornstarch or try a gingersnap combo. If you want a fast repair when attempting so as to add richness to stew or soup, simply throw just a few of those cubes in.

As for the cranberry sauce, since it has a high acidity, it’ll keep in the fridge for up to two weeks.

Of course, it would not cease right here. Take a pause and take a look at these Thanksgiving leftover re-dos. Leftover candy potato pie? Don’t thoughts if I do.

More Turkey Day Goodness:

Cover picture by way of Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock