How long leftover Christmas Dinner is safe to eat — and when to throw it away

Published 3 hours ago
Source: metro.co.uk
A sandwhich filled with Christmas leftovers
Christmas Day is over for another year – meaning that many of us will have an awful lot of leftover food sitting around right about now. Yep, those who tucked into a traditional Yuletide dinner may well be looking forward to a weekend filled with turkey sandwiches, turkey curry, leftover stuffing, the odd stray roast potato, and even a mince pie or two. But while it wouldn’t be Boxing Day without leftovers to munch on as we begin to contemplate the New Year, there’s only so long you can carry on chowing down on the remains of your festive feast before it becomes a potential health hazard. So, just how long are your Christmas leftovers safe to eat? (Picture: Getty Images)

Turkey

Many of us will be tucking into a round of turkey sarnies in front of the telly this Boxing Day. But realistically, how long can you safely eat the remains of your roast? Well, not long, it seems. The UK Food Standards Agency says cooked turkey should be eaten or frozen within two days of cooking – and if you plan on warming up the meat, be aware you should never reheat it more than once, as this can provide the perfect environment for bacteria to grow and produce toxins. Heating the meat above 75°C for a second or third time will kill the bacteria, but it won’t destroy the toxins. (Picture: Getty Images)

Turkey

As an alternative, you can freeze cooked leftover turkey to use at a later date. Ideally, you should eat any frozen turkey within 2-3 months (although it will be safe to eat for a long time after that, the quality may deteriorate). Always defrost it thoroughly before you use it and eat within 24 hours – and remember refreezing is a no-no. (Picture: Getty Images)

Roast potatoes

Much as we refuse to believe there can be such a thing as a leftover roast potato, stranger things have happened. So, if you have spuds knocking around from Christmas lunch, how long can you eat them for? Well, Love Food Hate Waste says that cooked potatoes are fine for up to two days in the fridge, as long as they’re in an airtight container. You should always cool them down quickly and refrigerate as soon as possible to prevent bacteria from developing, or freeze cooked (not raw) spuds for up to three months. And it goes without saying that if they start to smell of mould or don’t taste right, let those roasties go – even if they are only a couple of days old. (Picture: Getty Images)

Stuffing

If your stuffing is veggie, and is made with predominantly bread, spices and vegetables, then you can keep eating it for four days, as long as it’s kept in the fridge or somewhere cool.
But if your stuffing includes sausage meat, it should be eaten within three days. As with all the above delicacies, you can freeze stuffing – but only if it’s uncooked. Uncooked stuffing should never be refrigerated, but cooked immediately or frozen for later use. If you’re reheating leftover stuffing, always cook it at a temperature of at least 165°F (74°C). You can also stick it in the microwave, but be sure to add some extra liquid to prevent it from drying out (Picture: Getty Images)

Pigs in blankets

The highlight of the festive lunch for many, leftover pigs in blankets are bound with popularity – but is eating a bacon-wrapped sausage the following day fraught with danger? Well, like a lot of Christmas leftovers, pigs in blankets will last about three days in the fridge as long as they’re stored in an airtight container, or wrapped in foil or clingfilm. This stops them from being contaminated by other food, and it’s a good food safety rule to apply to other cooked leftovers. (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Cranberry sauce

What’s a little turkey without cranberry sauce? If you’ve whipped up a fresh batch of this to serve alongside your festive roast, can you stick a spoonful of the leftovers in your turkey sandwich the next day? Yes, you can, since homemade cranberry sauce will, according to Real Simple, last for around 10-14 days in the fridge if stored in a covered container. But what of cranberry sauce you haven’t made yourself? Ocean Spray states on the website that their cranberry sauce lasts for about two weeks if stored correctly in a fridge (or a cool, dry place). So feel free to add a spoonful or two when you’re making that sandwich – and as with all things, if it looks or smells bad, it probably is. (Picture: Getty Images)

Nut roast

If you’re vegetarian or vegan, you might well have chowed down on a nut roast or similar on Christmas Day – and now you might be wondering whether you can indulge in the leftovers as Twixmas dawns. Well, the good news is that you can indeed eat your leftover main course, as it’ll keep in the fridge for up to 3-4 days as long as it’s stored correctly – either in an airtight container or wrapped in foil. Even better news is that you can freeze it if you don’t want to eat it straight away. Wrap individual portions in foil or airtight freezer bags, and you can store them for up to three months. Just remember to defrost it thoroughly before reheating. (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Cheese

What would Christmas be without a little cheese? The good news is that your favourite cheddar or Stilton should last the duration of the holidays – as long as you keep it wrapped up. The problem with having exposed cheese left out on a table is that it can quickly start growing mould. But even if this happens, all is not lost. Hard cheeses can last 1-2 weeks – or in some cases longer – if stored correctly, and food safety experts suggest that it’s OK to cut off any mould. However, soft cheeses such as Brie or Camembert will only last about seven days and should be discarded if they are mouldy. (Picture: Getty Images)

Mince pies

So when you’re done polishing off your turkey sarnies with cranberry sauce, stray roasties and the remains of the cheeseboard, how about a mince pie to wash it all down? The good news is that mince pies will last beyond the big day itself – around three to seven days in fact, if stored in an airtight container. Just make sure they’re completely cool before storing them to prevent the pastry from going soggy. And be sure to warm them in the oven for a few minutes before eating, to restore them to their former glory. (Picture: Getty Images)

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