When are Leftovers Still Safe to Eat?
Many Americans probably have a ton of leftovers from Sunday’s Christmas feast, but the United States Department of Agriculture cautioned that not all leftovers are safe to eat, even after a day.
Hamburgers, sausages may still look just as appetizing as when they were brought out of the oven, but unless they were stored in the freezer, they are dangerous to eat after 1 to 2 days in the fridge.
Below is a list of some other recommendations from the department:
Fresh or uncooked poultry should also only be kept for 1 to 2 days in the fridge.
Fresh beef, veal, lamb and pork, cooked poultry, soups and pizza should be left in the fridge for a maximum of 4 days.
Egg, chicken, ham, tuna and macaroni salads should be kept for a maximum of 5 days.
Bacon and hot dogs can be kept in the fridge for up to a week.
Food safety should be the top of everyone’s holiday lists, and it’s the best gift everyone can give to those who gather around their table for the holidays, the department said.
That being said, give yourself the gift of not having an upset stomach and make sure you follow food storage guidelines and be sure to freeze leftovers that you plan on relishing for weeks after.