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How to Properly Handle Leftovers

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Gourmandize

Brought home some leftovers from your neighbor's barbeque? Ordered a bit too much at last night's dinner at the Cheesecake Factory?

You always have leftovers in your fridge, but have you ever checked if you were handling them properly? Here are some tips on how to store leftovers for your own health and safety.

Date your leftovers!

Marking the date on the container will help you keep track and avoid eating food that's gone bad. This will reduce your risk of contracting food poisoning!

Don't Take a Chance

If your leftovers have been sitting out at room temperature for more than a couple hours, you should throw them out. Don't just rely on sight or smell to tell if it has already spoiled.

Freezing Leftovers

Most foods can be frozen as long as you freeze them before their expiration date. Once defrosted, you should never re-freeze food like raw meat or fish.  Once you defrost leftovers, use within 24 hours.

Refrigerating Leftovers

You should eat your leftovers within 2-3 days or put them in the freezer! Make sure you let hot leftovers cool before you stick it in the fridge. Just be careful to not let your fridge get overstuffed so that the air can circulate.

Throw away any uneaten leftovers after you've reheated it. Freezing and reheating too many times. This causes your food to cook unevenly, which opens the doorway to bacteria growth and increases your risk of food poisoning!


Like this article? Check out our tips for keeping your oven clean.

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