A selection of plastic wrap, aluminum foil, and food storage bags from Ocean State Job Lot.

Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and of course,  delicious food. But with so much food on the table, it can be easy to end up with loads of leftovers for days.

Properly storing these leftovers can help prevent foodborne illness and ensure that your Thanksgiving feast lasts well into the holiday weekend. Don’t waste the tasty treats you spent your time making. So, follow along with Ocean State Job Lot’s handful of storage tips to keep your leftovers safely ready to eat at your fingertips.

1. Proper Cooling

  • Time is of the essence. Leftovers such as turkey, stuffing, potatoes, vegetables, and more should be refrigerated within two hours of cooking. This helps prevent bacteria from multiplying.
  • Divide and conquer. If you have a large quantity of leftovers, divide them into smaller containers to promote faster cooling. Use many of the different sized storage containers you’ll find at Ocean State Job Lot. 
  • Avoid overcrowding. Overcrowding food in the containers can hinder cooling and increase the risk of foodborne illness. This will also help how long the leftovers will last in the refrigerator.
A person puts leftovers into a refrigerator.
Leftovers in glass containers.

2. Safe Storage Containers

  • Seal it up. Use airtight containers or heavy-duty plastic wrap to prevent air exposure and moisture buildup.
  • Label and date. Clearly label and date each container to keep track of the date of when the leftovers were cooked.
  • How to use glass containers. Glass containers can be great for cooking and baking, but when using them for storage, you’ll want to make sure you are not exposing them to extreme temperature changes. That could cause them to break or damage.

3. Storage Temperatures

Safety is the key to storing your Thanksgiving leftovers, so make sure your temperatures for both your refrigerator and freezer are correct.

  • Refrigerator temperature. The refrigerator should be set to 40°F (4°C) or below.
  • Freezer temperature. If you plan to freeze leftovers, ensure the freezer is set to 0°F (-18°C) or below.

4. Proper Thawing

  • Refrigerator thawing. This is the safest method. Plan ahead, as it can take several hours or even days to thaw food in the refrigerator.
  • Cold water thawing. Submerge food in cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes. Job Lot has a variety of bowls you could use to submerge your leftovers in to help get this done.
  • Microwave thawing. Use the defrost setting and cook immediately after thawing. Having a platter handy will help with the transfer of the leftovers from the microwave to plates.
A person uses a microwave.

5. Reheating Leftovers

  • Cook thoroughly. Leftovers should be heated to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
  • Avoid reheating multiple times. Reheating food multiple times can increase the risk of foodborne illness. So, the rule of the thumb should be to do it once and move on.
  • Cover while reheating. Covering food while reheating helps retain moisture and prevents drying.

Turkey Day, Take Two

Of course when we talk about storing the leftovers, what are we storing them for? Well, it’s for having another meal on the day(s) following Thanksgiving. Here are a few recipes for you to try:

A quiche made with thanksgiving leftovers.
shepherds pie
A bowl of tortilla soup.

Turkey and Stuffing Quiche
(Food Network)

Leftover Turkey Shepherd’s Pie
(The Pioneer Woman)

Weeknight Turkey Tortilla Soup
(Taste of Home)

By following these tips, you can safely store and enjoy your Thanksgiving leftovers for days to come. Remember, when in doubt, throw it out. Foodborne illness can be serious, so it’s better to be safe than sorry. You don’t want to make yourself or others around you sick with Thanksgiving leftovers that were so good the first time.

Happy Thanksgiving from Ocean State Job Lot and Bon Appetit! See you soon!