Because you worked so hard on making your favorite Thanksgiving recipes, you’ll want to make sure that nothing goes to waste and that you have plenty of food to enjoy the rest of the weekend.
When putting away cooked food, its important to practice proper food safety. First, don’t leave food that goes bad out for more than two hours. Also, keep the fridge at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit and the freezer at or below 0 degrees F. Second, go with your gut and use your eyes and nose. If something doesn’t look or smell right, throw it away. Finally, follow these tips weve gathered from the U. S. Department of Agriculture on how long your leftovers should last.
Turkey leftovers will only last three or four days in the fridge and four months in the freezer. If you store them in broth or gravy, they can last up to six months.
You can keep any chicken pieces, fried or not, in the fridge for three to four days or freeze them for four months. This goes for both last week’s busy weeknight dinner and Thanksgiving day. Chicken nuggets that are good for kids will only last one to two days in the fridge or three months in the freezer.
A deboned chicken is stuffed inside a deboned duck, which is then stuffed inside a turkey. A turducken will stay fresh for three to four days in the fridge or longer in the freezer.
If you want to serve the best Easter ham on Thanksgiving too, slices will stay fresh for three to four days in the fridge and for one to two months in the freezer.
Green bean casserole is a beloved Thanksgiving tradition in many households. The combination of tender green beans, mushrooms, crispy fried onions, and creamy sauce is simply delicious.
Leftover green bean casserole is just as tasty the next day. But exactly how long will it last stored in the fridge after Thanksgiving?
Knowing how many days a green bean casserole will stay fresh and delicious in the refrigerator ensures you can safely enjoy every last bite Here I’ll explain everything about how long green bean casserole lasts in the fridge.
How Long Does Leftover Green Bean Casserole Last Refrigerated?
Leftover green bean casserole stored properly in the fridge will keep for 3 to 4 days,
The lactose and fat content from the creamy sauce means it won’t last as long as plain cooked vegetables. But you still get a good window of leftover enjoyment.
Pay attention to any changes in color, texture, or smell and toss the casserole once it seems off. Stay within the 3-4 day timeframe for optimum freshness and flavor.
Storing Green Bean Casserole In The Fridge
To get the most mileage from your leftover green bean casserole in the fridge proper storage is key.
Here are some storage tips:
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Let the casserole cool to room temperature within 2 hours before refrigerating.
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Store in a shallow airtight container or resealable plastic bag.
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Make sure the casserole is evenly distributed in a thin, spread out layer. This prevents thick, dense sections that cool slowly.
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Keep at a consistent 40°F refrigerator temperature.
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Place green bean casserole on a plate or bowl to catch any drips and avoid contamination.
Following these steps minimizes bacteria growth and oxidation for optimal lasting freshness.
Signs Your Leftover Green Bean Casserole Has Gone Bad
Watch for these signs that your green bean casserole has spoiled and needs to be discarded:
- Unpleasant sour or ‘off’ smell
- Discoloration of the sauce
- Very dry, shrunken texture
- Mold growth
- Drying out of beans and onions
The creamy sauce will be the first part of the casserole to go bad. Trust your senses, and don’t risk eating spoiled green bean casserole. Safety first!
The Crispy Onion Topping Issue
One downside of leftover green bean casserole is that the crispy fried onion topping won’t retain its desirable crunch for long.
Within 1-2 days, the onions start to soften from steam and absorption of moisture from the sauce below.
You can revive them by sprinkling extra fried onions on top and broiling for a couple minutes before serving. The oven heat crisps them right up again.
Just don’t expect the topping to be quite as crunchy as the fresh-made casserole, no matter how quickly you consume it.
Freezing Isn’t Ideal
Many casserole dishes freeze well for longer storage. However, green bean casserole tends to get mushy and watery when frozen.
The creamy sauce also can separate and curdle during freezing. And again, say goodbye to that crisp onion topping after freezing.
For best results, enjoy your green bean casserole within 3-4 days kept refrigerated. Freeze any uneaten portions in that timeframe to safely discard later.
Enjoy Your Leftover Green Bean Casserole
The bottom line is you can keep leftover green bean casserole in the fridge for 3 to 4 days after preparing it.
Pay attention for signs of spoilage and aim to enjoy it within that period for the best texture and flavor.
With proper shallow storage in a covered container, you can continue to enjoy this Thanksgiving staple for meals later in the week.
Just revive the onion topping in the oven before serving so you get that satisfying crunch in every bite. Now go savor every last morsel!
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Egg, chicken, ham, macaroni or tuna salad
Salads dont have to be made with crisp lettuce and doused in dressing. Egg, chicken, ham, macaroni, or tuna salads, whether you buy them or make them yourself, can stay fresh in the fridge for up to five days but not so well in the freezer.
Casseroles made with beef, lamb, pork or veal
Any old casserole dish with meat can be kept in the fridge for three to four days or frozen for two to three months.
Placed fairly high in our Thanksgiving side dish rankings, mashed potatoes are often made with cream and butter. A food safety expert with the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline says that mashed potatoes should be kept in the fridge and used within four days. If mashed potatoes are kept in a freezer that stays at 0 degrees F all the time, they will be safe to eat, but the quality may go down.
Any kind of broth made with meat, including gravy, will last three to four days in the fridge or one to two months if frozen.
According to Ocean Spray, cranberry sauce isnt great for freezing. Instead, take the rest of the cranberry sauce out of the can and store it in the fridge with a tight lid for up to two weeks.
Make sure to cook up all the dishes you can make with your leftovers while you can. Stuffing will last only three to four days in the fridge. In the freezer, its good for up to a month.
It’s possible that canned green beans are the best way to make a green bean casserole. This and other cooked casseroles will last for four days in the fridge. A food safety expert at the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline says that cooked casseroles can be eaten straight from the freezer, but the quality will be worse than when they are frozen.
Corn is a common food thats not what you think. Putting canned corn that has been opened out of the can and into a glass or plastic container will keep it fresh in the fridge for three to four days.
Mac and cheese is always a quick and easy meal that you can just heat up and serve. If you store it right in the fridge, you can eat it for up to four days. Freeze it and itll be safe to eat for months.
How long can you keep green bean casserole in the refrigerator?
FAQ
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