When to Ditch the Leftovers

After the holidays wrap, refrigerators and freezers everywhere end up packed to the max with leftovers from the feasts of the previous months.

After Thanksgiving, there is only about a month to clear your freezer before the next feast and, if your family is anything like ours, the leftovers just compound.

So, when is it time to toss the toast? That answer depends on what you have left over and how you plan on storing it.

Addressing most long-term storage needs, the freezer is probably your first bet. According to food blog thekitchn.com, food stored in the freezer will technically stay good as long as it stays frozen. The real problem with storing foods in the freezer comes from the threat of freezer burn. Well-packaged foods will typically keep for about three months before freezer burn starts to set in.

If you are dealing in less certain measures of stability, it is a great idea to stick to the expiration dates. These dates are often just strong suggestions, and most food will not go bad if stored longer, especially in its original packaging. For refrigeration-necessary items, just keep an eye on it. If the mashed potatoes are starting to go green, it is time to toss them.

When it comes down to it, if you are confident in eating your leftovers, it is probably fine, but take precautions to keep yourself from getting sick.