Minnesota Reminder: Eat Those Leftovers Now Before Time Runs Out

If you’re still poking around the fridge for one more taste of Thanksgiving glory here in Minnesota, your leftovers are officially on borrowed time. The USDA says the clock is running out, so enjoy that last scoop of stuffing before it turns from delicious to dangerous.

How Long Thanksgiving Leftovers Stay Safe, According to the USDA

What's one of the best parts about making that big Thanksgiving dinner here in the Land of 10,000 Lakes? Sure, the turkey's great, the stuffing is marvelous, as are the mashed potatoes and gravy-- and don't even get me started on the green bean casserole (which I actually made this year.) But one of the best parts of Thanksgiving is having all the leftovers in your refrigerator, right?

And while those Thanksgiving leftovers may be great, they DO have a limited shelf life-- and time is running out on when you can still safely eat all those leftovers. And, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the clock stops Monday, December 1st, this year.

When Leftovers Expire and How to Store Them Safely

That December 1st deadline applies even if you put all those amazing Thanksgiving dishes back in the refrigerator within two hours of having served them last Thursday .(And, you did... right?) That's because they only safely keep for between 3 and 4 days before they could potentially start to spoil. Here are the facts from the USDA:

Thanksgiving leftovers can be kept in the refrigerator for three to four days. This means you have until the Monday after Thanksgiving to eat all those delicious leftovers or place them in the freezer to enjoy later. If you store leftovers in the freezer, they will be of best quality within 2-6 months.

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Why Minnesota Households Should Double-Check the Fridge on December 1st

Now, if you're like me and sometimes keep things in the fridge longer than that (much to my wife's dismay), it's still really not a good idea. Even though the USDA says there are 31 percent of us who keep leftovers longer than 4 days, "spoilage bacteria can cause food to develop a bad smell or taste," the USDA says.

ALSO INTERESTING: Minnesotans Say They Crave This Comfort Food The Most

If you've ever opened a container with leftovers that have been in your refrigerator too long, you know it's not a fun experience. To help keep track of just HOW long you can safely keep your leftovers in the refrigerator, the USDA has a new FoodKeeper app you might want to check out.

And, keep scrolling to check out some foods-- leftovers or not-- that you probably didn't know got their start right here in the North Star State!

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