How to Store Leftovers in the Refrigerator

Store leftover foods properly so they do not go to waste.

Storing your leftovers properly can save you a significant amount of time and money. With proper planning, you can spend a few hours cooking on one day and have all the meals you'll need for the rest of the week by freezing and refrigerating the extra food. On a smaller scale, it can be disheartening to need to throw away the last couple of slices of a delivered pizza or take-out food because you stored it improperly. With a little bit of attention and care, you can package your leftovers correctly and enjoy them for days to come.

Things You'll Need

• Airtight refrigerator-safe containers
• Plastic wrap

Instructions

1. Divide your leftovers into small, individually sized portions. Refrigerating a large quantity of warm leftovers in one container can lead to faster spoilage, as the food does not cool quickly enough to prevent bacteria from multiplying.

2. Place the leftovers into airtight refrigerator-safe containers. Fill the containers fairly full, but do not stuff them so much that they might come partially open. Seal the containers tightly. Depending on the type of food you wish to refrigerate, you may prefer to use plastic wrap rather than solid, stiff containers. Do not leave any gaps in the plastic wrap or large air bubbles between the plastic wrap and the food.

3. Store the leftovers in your refrigerator. Do not stack containers or put them side-by-side; the cool air needs room to circulate so it can cool the leftovers as quickly as possible.

Tips & Warnings

• Refrigerate your leftovers as soon as possible rather than letting them sit at room temperature for hours. You can even refrigerate extremely hot leftovers.

• Discard any food that sat out at room temperature for two hours or more, as this will not be safe to eat.

• Reheat all cooked leftovers to at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit before you consume them.

• Eat your refrigerated leftovers within three to four days. Dating the containers can help you ensure that you do not eat leftovers that are too old. If you do not anticipate eating your leftovers within three to four days, freeze them instead of refrigerating them.

• Do not eat leftovers that smell or look bad even if you have cared for them properly and they are relatively fresh.

References

• Real Simple: How to Store Food in the Refrigerator
• OChef: How Long Do Leftovers Last?
• What's Cooking America: How to Use Leftovers Safely

Resources

• Fractured Frugal Friends: A Beginner's Guide to Once a Month Cooking