November 21, 2012 by marilynrabe

Many people think that the best part of Thanksgiving is not the big turkey dinner but the leftovers! After enjoying your Thanksgiving dinner, there are usually plenty of leftovers to save for another day or to share with friends and family!

You want to ensure that they are handled and stored properly to avoid food borne illness. The USDA estimates that more than a half million cases of foodborne illness are caused each year just from improperly handled turkey leftovers.

Here are some food safety rules that you should remember when handling your leftovers.

  • Remember to always wash your hands and keep your work areas clean.
  • Bacteria grow rapidly between 40° and 140°. After food is safely cooked, leftovers must be refrigerated within two hours. Throw out any leftovers that have been left out for more than two hours at room temperature.
  • It is important to cool hot foods quickly to the safe refrigerator temperature of 40°. To do this, divide large amounts of food into small, shallow containers. Cut large items into smaller portions to cool quickly.
  • Use refrigerated turkey, stuffing, etc. within 3 to 4 days. Gravy should be kept for just 1 to 2 days.
  • If you are freezing your leftovers, use them within 2 – 6 months for best quality.
  • When you are reheating your leftovers, use a food thermometer to check that the food reaches an internal temperature of 165°.

By following these basic food safety rules you should be able to enjoy your Thanksgiving leftovers.

Here is a great recipe to use some of your leftover turkey: 

Turkey Salad with Orange Vinaigrette

1⁄4 cup orange   juice
2   tablespoons vinegar,   white wine
2   tablespoons onion   (finely chopped)
1⁄4   teaspoon salt
1 dash pepper   (of)
1   tablespoon oil
2   teaspoons Dijon mustard
4 cups salad   greens (torn)
2 cups cooked   turkey breast (cut into julienne strips)
1 can mandarin   orange segments (11 ounce, drained)
1⁄2 cup celery   (sliced)

Instructions

1. In a jar with tight-fitting lid, combine all vinaigrette ingredients; shake well. If you don’t have a container with a tight-fitting lid, place ingredients in a small mixing bowl and mix together with a whisk.

2. In large bowl, combine all salad ingredients; toss gently.

3. Serve with vinaigrette. If desired, garnish with fresh strawberries.

Source:  University of Nebraska, Cooperative Extension, Cook it QUICK!

Notes

You can substitute 1 1/2 teaspoons dried chopped onion for the chopped fresh onion or a as recommended on the dried onion container. Prepare the dressing at least 10 minutes before you need it to allow the dried onion to rehydrate from the fluids in the dressing.

Use white meat leftovers if you’ve prepared a whole turkey and not just the breast portion.

Another way to add crunch to your salad would be to use 4 tablespoons chopped walnuts instead of the celery.

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Written by:  Marilyn Rabe, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Franklin County.

Reviewed by: Michelle Treber, Extension Educator, Family and consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Pickaway County.

Sources:

http://www.ext.colostate.edu/safefood/newsltr/v9n1s02.html

http://www.foodsafety.gov/blog/turkey_leftovers.html

http://www.nsf.org/consumer/food_safety/safe_leftovers.asp?program=FoodSaf

http://recipefinder.nal.usda.gov/recipes/turkey-salad-orange-vinaigrette