The Originators of Quick & Easy Cooking!


Watermelon: Enjoy It All Year Long - 30 Easy Watermelon Recipes from Mr. Food Free eCookbook
Bonus: Get our newsletter & special offers for free. We will not share or sell your email address. View our Privacy Policy
Leftover Storage Tips

The Mr. Food Test Kitchen shares their own food safety and refrigerator leftover storage tips! This easy-to-read chart ensures your own holiday leftovers will be wrapped and put away to be safely enjoyed a second time.
What to Do
- No food should be allowed to sit out at room temperature for more than two hours (see Note).
- Place food into shallow containers, divvying leftovers into smaller or personal-sized portions, and immediately put in the refrigerator or freezer for rapid cooling.
- Foods must be kept covered in a refrigerator at the proper safe temperature zone of 38 to 40 degrees F.
PRODUCT | REFRIGERATOR STORAGE TIMES |
---|---|
Ham, fully cooked | 3 to 4 days |
Turkey, fully cooked | 2 days |
Cooked meat & meat casseroles | 3 to 4 days |
Gravy & meat broth | 1 to 2 days |
Cooked poultry casseroles | 3 to 4 days |
Poultry pieces, plain | 3 to 4 days |
Poultry pieces in broth or gravy | 1 to 2 days |
Pizza, cooked | 3 to 4 days |
Stuffing, cooked, outside a bird | 1 to 2 days |
Cold-cut trays | 3 days |
Mashed potatoes | 1 to 2 days |
Cranberry sauce | 7 days |
Sweet potatoes, cooked | 7 days |
Pumpkin Pie | 2 to 3 days |
Eggnog | 4 to 5 days after “Sell by” date |
Note
This guide refers to a total of two hours during a food’s lifetime, and doesn’t mean two hours every time you take it out of the refrigerator. And, of course, if you have any doubt about whether or not a food is still fresh and safe to eat: Be safe and throw it out.
For a great way to use leftovers, try our Ham Frittata. It's so yummy, nobody'll know it was made with leftovers!
renedarbythecatmelchor 4869572
Dec 24, 2010
Have a happy holiday. And to all a merry Christmas.
- REPLY
- WAS THIS HELPFUL? YesNo
- REPORT ABUSE

Report Inappropriate Comment
Are you sure you would like to report this comment? It will be flagged for our moderators to take action.
Thank you for taking the time to improve the content on our site.
LATEST TV RECIPE & VIDEO
Bacon and Horseradish Deviled Eggs
The taste bud tingling flavor of horseradish adds a zesty flair to our Bacon and Horseradish Deviled Eggs. This party-pleaser has the added flavor of smoky bacon bits sure to delight your hungry guests.
WHAT'S HOT
- Types of Corn and How to Choose Corn
- Types of Onions and How to Choose the Right Onion
- Table Setting 101
- Make Ahead Casserole Tips
- How to Make a Gingerbread House
- How to Doctor Up Store-Bought Stuffing
- How to Make Candy: 12 Easy Chocolate Candy Recipes
- Decorating Easter Eggs
- Sizing Up a Serving and a Portion
- How to Make Perfect Mashed Potatoes