THERE’S nothing better than tucking into your leftovers in the days after Christmas.
However, the NHS has revealed the exact timeframe to consume your turkey to avoid festive food poisoning.
The health body, along with the Food Standards Agency, broke down the rules for storing and eating cooked turkey after your Christmas dinner.
According to the experts, you can keep cooked turkey in the fridge and safely consume it for up to two days.
Best practice
They advise allowing your leftovers one to two hours to cool before covering them, then refrigerating or freezing them promptly.
When storing your turkey in a fridge, place the container on the bottom shelf to prevent cross contamination dripping.
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You should take it out only as needed and put it back in the fridge as soon as possible.
Do not leave cold turkey out all day, regardless of the storage container.
And if you opt to freeze your leftover turkey, you have for up to six months to safely consume it.
You should freeze these leftovers no later than the second day they are in the fridge.
For added convenience, divide into portions before freezing for faster cooling, allowing you to defrost as needed.
Once frozen and thawed, leftover turkey should be eaten within 24 hours and only reheated once.
And when you are reheating, make sure the turkey is piping hot all the way through.
If you want to be extra cautious, use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 75°C throughout.
Expert advice
NHS Shetland Health Protection Nurse, Chloe Umphray, spoke about the importance of correct preparation, storage, and consumption of leftovers.
“It is very important that we do this safely by storing and reheating food according to advice,” she said.
“Storing food incorrectly and for longer than recommended can increase the risk of bacterial growth, which can lead to food poisoning.”
Hacks for Keeping Food Fresh in Your Fridge
IF you want your food to stay fresh, you’ll need to try out this useful hacks…
- Herbs in Water: Store fresh herbs like parsley and coriander in a glass of water, then cover with a plastic bag to keep them fresh for weeks.
- Wrap Greens in Paper Towels: Wrap leafy greens in paper towels before placing them in a plastic bag. The towels absorb excess moisture, preventing wilting.
- Use Mason Jars: Store salads, chopped vegetables, and even leftovers in mason jars. They are airtight and keep food fresher for longer.
- Revive Stale Bread: Sprinkle a bit of water on stale bread and pop it in the oven for a few minutes to make it fresh again.
- Baking Soda for Odours: Place an open box of baking soda in your fridge to absorb odours and keep food tasting fresh.
- Freeze Herbs in Olive Oil: Chop herbs and freeze them in olive oil using an ice cube tray. This preserves their flavour and makes them easy to use.
- Keep Cheese Fresh: Wrap cheese in wax paper instead of plastic wrap. Wax paper allows the cheese to breathe, preventing it from becoming slimy.
- Store Avocados with Onions: Place a cut avocado in an airtight container with a slice of onion. The sulphur compounds in the onion slow down oxidation, keeping the avocado fresh.
- Use Vinegar Wash for Berries: Rinse berries in a mixture of water and vinegar (one cup of vinegar to three cups of water) before storing. This kills bacteria and mould spores, extending their shelf life.
- Egg Freshness Test: To check if eggs are still fresh, place them in a bowl of water. Fresh eggs will sink, while old ones will float.
Implement these clever hacks to maximise the freshness of your food and make the most of your groceries.
More on leftovers
Plus, four easy ways to use up leftovers to make a delicious homemade pizza.
And the genius 5p ingredient that makes leftover food last twice as long.
Why you should never use foil to keep your leftovers fresh, and what to use instead.
And one mum shared the perfect way to use your Christmas dinner leftovers that your kids will love.
Plus, three ways to use Christmas dinner leftovers to rustle up more tasty festive dishes.
