It’s been four days since turkey day. Find out if your doggy bag is still safe to eat.
Y’all spent a lot of time making those delicious Thanksgiving meals. And often we look forward to those days of leftover goodness. But nothing will make you less thankful than foodborne illness. Take the necessary steps to protect you and your family from illness from leftovers that have gone a bit off.
For the next gathering, if you’re a guest at dinner and plan to stick around for chess pie and coffee, make sure your doggy bag finds a space in the host’s fridge. Bacteria grow rapidly between the temperatures of 40 F and 140 F, so it’s important to get your food refrigerated within two hours. According to Foodsafety.gov, bacteria in food left out for more than two hours double in number every 20 minutes.
To prevent bacterial growth, it can help to divide large amounts of food into smaller containers. Cut up large food like your roasts or ham and divide them between the doggy-bag owners. Lastly, make sure all leftovers are wrapped in an airtight package or sealed in storage containers. This will help keep bacteria out and the leftovers tasty.
Feeling all cooked out? Check out some easy, comforting casseroles perfect for fall.
