Food Experts Agree: Now Is The Time To Throw Out Thanksgiving Leftovers

Thanksgiving has come and gone, and all the feasting is finished. Naturally most families end up cooking a surplus for Turkey Day and end up with a ton of Thanksgiving leftovers. But how long can you go before you have to discard them? According to food scientists, today is the day to trash the turkey.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service, most leftovers can stay in the fridge between three to four days before spoiling. It can last significantly longer when frozen, between three to four months to be exact.

Given that Thanksgiving was five days ago, you'd be wise to throw out whatever's left from your Thanksgiving spread by now. I know it hurts to let go, believe me. I had a hard time saying farewell to my leftover green bean casserole this morning. You just always think you'll have more time with the ones you love, y'know?

But as with most things in life, there are exceptions to these guidelines. Some experts admit to going by their best judgment when determining the quality of leftovers. Such is the case with food scientist Bryan Quoc Le in an interview with Scientific American.

"I like to go by the USDA’s guidelines, but I am not a stickler to it", says Le. "Personally, I sometimes push [refrigerated leftovers] to four or five days, depending on the type of food."

That same report by Scientific American also suggests that things like smell can help you determine whether your Thanksgiving leftovers have gone bad. A good rule of thumb is if it smells iffy, go ahead and throw it out.

On the flip side of that coin, don't assume you're safe just because your leftovers don't smell bad. Some disease-carrying bacteria doesn't necessarily change a food's smell or even taste, so it's best to practice proper cooking and storage guidelines to avoid cross-contamination.

Now that the Thanksgiving meal is behind us and we are all still feeling more than stuffed, it's time we shift our focus. To more food! Here, we'll cut into four great dinner options to feed the whole family at Christmas dinner.

Yes, Thanksgiving requires a lot of hours in the kitchen. Prepping a turkey, maybe even frying one, takes some proper attention. Then, to some, the most important part is the sides that go with the main attraction. Again, making these side dishes means cooking up a storm. However, perhaps we underappreciate the art of this meal. For the most part, the menu is designed for us. Furthermore, it is consistent every year. All you have to decide is how much to make based around how many people will be gathered around your table.

Fast forward a month, and it's time to prepare another epic holiday meal. In addition to running around to grab last-minute gifts, if you are hosting a Christmas get-together you have to do a lot of preparing, again.

Here, we are going to break down some options to jump-start your Christmas prep. First, let's set the table on some criteria, and some bust some myths. You certainly do not need to reinvent the wheel and cook up something extraordinarily unique. In fact, it's best to keep it simple. Dozens of classic dishes have already been well-established as delicious to satisfy your family, friends, and guests.

The thought process in suggesting these four Christmas dinner options is that they are proven to be delightful. They can also be prepared in large batches that do not require a tremendous amount of hours in the kitchen. These meals are family-friendly and are sharable. Some of them you may even be able to combine together. Again, this list won't spark an idea that's never been cooked up. Perhaps it just serves as a simple reminder that these Christmas dinner menu items can be straightforward and delicious enough.

A large tray of a baked pasta based meal that everyone gets to cut into just feels like a natural option. There's room here to customize your tray of course. Add meat, make it a veggie, or have one of each. Plus, the red sauce nicely compliments your holiday-themed table setting.

We'll need to clarify here, your best bet here is a log shaped filet that can be evenly cut into quarter inch - to half inch slices. There's something festive to carving a meal item in your kitchen, that is freshly cooked. You take pride in hosting and then slicing. You place your sliced filet on that serving platter that is used just once a year, walk it into the dining room and then feel joy when everyone digs in.

It's all about the slow-cooker or crock pot. You can let it warm in the kitchen all day, allowing a sharp aroma to seep into every room the family gathers in. This style is for more of the grab something quick and on-the-go Christmas meal gathering. Perhaps you have people in and out of your house, stopping by for a "cheers" throughout the day. A chili bar never disappoints. Add in your side bowls of shredded cheddar, tortilla crisps, scallions, and sour cream, and you are giving your guests the opportunity to put their own touch on your creation.

This is the meal that gives you the option for a fancier sit-down dinner. The ham centerpiece is typically joined by elegant wine glasses and pre-feast toast. Throw some potato side dishes along with an asparagus or string bean casserole, and your living room is now a fine-dining restaurant. This meal allows you to take your time. The next thing you know, it's dark outside, and you are putting a bow on your enjoyable Christmas night.