Making the Most of Holiday Leftovers

The holiday season is a time for cheer, togetherness, and, of course, food. In many cultures, meals take center stage during celebrations. Take Thanksgiving or Christmas, for example, a time for gathering with loved ones and enjoying a delicious feast.

Celebrating the holidays as an intuitive eater can be challenging, especially with so many tempting dishes to try. It can be hard to honor your satiety when you want to taste everything on the table. But don’t worry, there’s always the joy of leftovers! Whatever you didn’t get to enjoy during the holiday meal, you can savor later at home.

Another great thing about holiday meals is the chance to reinvent what’s on your plate. Leftovers can be turned into exciting new dishes, giving you even more opportunities to savor the season’s flavors!

Safety First

Although leftovers taste delicious, there’s a limit to how long you can safely keep them. Proper temperature for storing your leftovers is important to avoid food-borne illnesses.

Perishable foods such as meat, poultry, eggs, and casseroles that have been left out for more than two hours at room temperature should be thrown away. Whole roasts, turkeys, and hams should be cut into smaller pieces and stored in airtight shallow containers in the refrigerator at 40°F or less and should be eaten within 3-4 days. If you choose to freeze leftovers, be sure you eat them within 2-6 months for the best quality.

Reheating Leftovers

When reheating leftovers, be sure to reheat them to 165°F and use a food thermometer to check the temperature. Bring gravy and soups to a boil and if microwaving foods, stir food thoroughly to make sure there aren’t any cold spots.

Be Creative with Your Leftovers

There are many ways you can use your holiday leftovers without eating the same thing night after night. Consider the following delicious meals. Your family won’t even know you created them from the leftovers.

• Add turkey to a crisp apple salad.
• Turkey and veggie wrap.
• Turkey soup or turkey chowder.
• Use leftover vegetables to create your own veggie stock.
• Add veggies to whole wheat pasta and create a pasta primavera.
• Try adding leftover cranberry sauce to nonfat yogurt and blend to create a delicious smoothie.
• Whip up some potato pancakes with leftover mashed potatoes.
• Donate leftovers!  Go to a local soup kitchen or food pantry and spread the holiday cheer.

As you enjoy the holiday season and the abundance of delicious meals, remember to be mindful of food safety and creativity with your leftovers. Proper storage and reheating will ensure that you continue to enjoy your festive flavors safely, while repurposing leftovers into new dishes brings fresh excitement to your meals. Whether you’re savoring the flavors or sharing the joy with others, the holiday season is about making lasting memories, and there’s no better way to do that than with good food and good company!

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