Illinois, Here’s How Long Your Thanksgiving Leftovers Will Last

A sign of a good Thanksgiving are tons of leftovers.

My family isn't huge but you would never know it by the amount of food we have at Thanksgiving. It's dish after dish of good food that can easily feed all of us for several meals afterward. Really, it's Thanksgiving leftovers that help make the entry into December fun.

Put It In The Freezer

Best practice as we all know (and according to FoodSafety.gov) is to put your leftovers in the freezer. There they can keep for up to 2-6 months post-Thanksgiving. You can reheat frozen leftovers without thawing them first but just make sure that they get hot enough (165°F if you have a food thermometer) that they're safe to eat.

The Fridge Isn't Working Anymore

FoodSafety says that food can become unsafe in the refrigerator after 4 days.

If the food is kept in the fridge longer than that, that's when it may not pass the smell or taste test because of bacteria. If you have Thanksgiving leftovers that you'd like to hang on to, put them in the freezer now. Technically the Monday after Thanksgiving is the 'use or freeze' deadline but this is your reminder if you missed it.

When you reheat your leftovers, FoodSafety has these tips:

• Reheat sauces, soups and gravies by bringing them to a rolling boil
• If you're reheating food in a microwave, cover and rotate the food for even heating.

You, your family, or at least someone worked really hard to bring you those delicious Thanksgiving sides and desserts. Keep them for as long as you can!