How to Keep Track of Leftovers
Properly keeping track of and labeling food leftovers is an important way to keep your family safe from potential food poisoning. According to the Mayo Clinic, refrigerated leftover food should be used within four days of the original meal. After that time, bacteria start to grow, which could lead to intestinal issues for anyone who consumes the food. Frozen leftovers can be kept for up to six months and still be safely consumed. Properly labeling food is the most important step to keeping track of leftovers. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Plastic containers with resealable lids
- Masking tape
- Plastic wrap
- Zip-close plastic bags
- Electric food storage sealer (optional)
Instructions
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Refrigerate or freeze food within two hours of cooking to prevent bacteria from forming. Throw out any food that has fallen into the temperature danger zone (41 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit) for more than two hours.
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Store leftover liquid foods, such as soups and sauces, in plastic containers with resealable lids. Place a piece of masking tape on the outside of the lid and label it with the name of the dish and the date it was made. Place the sealed container in the refrigerator, or wrap it in plastic wrap and place it in the freezer in a level spot.
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For non-liquid foods, write the name of the dish and the date it was made on the outside of a zip-close plastic bag with a permanent marker. Place leftover food such as proteins or vegetables inside, seal securely and place in the refrigerator or freezer. If you have more than one serving of a food to store, separate into smaller amounts in the bags when freezing. This will allow you to thaw only what you need, and you will not have excess food that will need to be discarded after thawing.
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Place baked goods, such as biscuits, in zipper-lock bags that have been labeled and dated. Store the bags in the refrigerator or freezer, if possible, although they will keep fresh for a few days at room temperature.
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Toss any refrigerated leftovers out after four days. Discard frozen leftovers after six months.
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Check your refrigerator twice a week to be sure leftovers have not pushed to the backs of shelves and forgotten.
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Tips & Warnings
Purchase an electric food-storage sealer to preserve food longer in the freezer. A food-storage sealer removes air from around the stored food, making it less susceptible to bacteria and freezer burn.
Never refreeze leftovers that have been thawed. Use them immediately, and discard anything that is not used after reheating.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
