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(CNN) - Like your email full of Black Friday offers, the only thing you can count on the day after Thanksgiving is a fridge full of leftover food.
For many, this is easily the best part of all parties, but at some point even the most devoted fans of leftovers will wonder if that dish is still in good condition.
Some answers depend on your family's traditions: if your relatives like to leave the Thanksgiving feast on the table so everyone can eat while watching American football, you are already in trouble. Bacteria grow fast.
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All foods should be wrapped or placed in airtight containers and stored in the refrigerator within two hours of being served to keep them fresh and free of bacteria, says the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). English).
Make the snacks from the fridge and not from the table: that's the advice.
Then, check this guide to find out how long you can store common Thanksgiving leftovers in the fridge and when you should throw them away.
Turkey
It is preserved for : 3 to 4 days
Turkey, chicken and cooked duck will last three to four days in the refrigerator according to Foodsafety.gov, the place to go if you need food safety information from various government health agencies.
Yes: freeze leftovers in foil or airtight containers as soon as possible; the fresher the turkey the better. They should be suitable for consumption between 2 and 6 months.
No: storing the leftovers of a bird with the filling still inside, as this will take too long to cool and the bacteria could grow. Instead, take out the stuffing and store it in a separate container before refrigerating or freezing turkey meat.
Ham
It is preserved for: 3 to 4 days
Those popular spiral-cut hams or any wrapped cooked ham will last 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. Cooked hams may be in good condition a little more, up to a week.
Yes: Wrap it well in plastic or aluminum foil before refrigerating. If you prefer to freeze, it will be good for one or two months.
No: trying to save any leftover ham that has a viscous texture, is a telltale sign that it has been spoiled.
Puree and sweet potatoes
It is preserved for: 3 to 4 days
It is likely that you prepared them with cream and butter, so you should put the potatoes in the refrigerator maximum two hours after preparation. If stored in an airtight container, they will last 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator (this applies to any type of cooked potato dish, such as potato salad or gratin potatoes).
Yes: Consider freezing your mashed potatoes or gratins in airtight containers or plastic bags in the freezer within three days; They should last for up to a month.
No: freeze leftovers of raw potatoes that did not reach the table without bleaching them first; otherwise they will be watery when they rejuvenate.
Stuffing / dressing and sauce
It is preserved for: 3 to 4 days
Applies for everything: any broth made with meat will last 3 to 4 days refrigerated and up to 2 months in the freezer. The same goes for that delicious dressing, if anything remains.
Yes: store everything within two hours after preparation, in an airtight container. If it freezes, it will remain approximately one month.
No: forget the stuffing and leave it in the turkey. It is a breeding ground for bacteria.
Cranberry sauce
It is preserved for: 10 to 14 days
You can continue adding that delicious homemade or bought cranberry sauce to your sandwiches for up to two weeks if it is kept refrigerated in an airtight container.
Yes: refrigerate homemade cranberry sauce within two hours after cooking. If you want to do more and freeze, it will last up to two months.
No: eat if there is an unpleasant smell, taste or appearance (especially mold).
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Bean stew, macaroni and cheese and corn pudding
It is conserved for: 3 to 5 days
Beans of beans and corn and cooked pasta dishes usually last 3 to 5 days when stored properly in the refrigerator. The same goes for roasted vegetables, kale and other favorite Thanksgiving dinner dishes.
Yes: be sure to store any dish containing mayonnaise within two hours after it has been prepared or served.
No: freeze any macaroni salad (or egg, chicken, ham or tuna salads), says the USDA. They just don't know well after.
Bread, rolls and croissants
It is preserved for: about a week
Yes: leave leftover rolls and other Thanksgiving bread wrapped in plastic in the pantry; They should be fine for a week. To last longer, wrap them in foil and leave them in a freezer bag for up to 3 months.
No: put the loaves in the refrigerator to help them last longer, they will simply dry out.
Pumpkin pies, nuts and fruits
It is preserved for: 3 to 4 days
Pumpkin and walnut cakes, or any other cake with egg-based filling such as chocolate, will be kept for 3 or 4 days if refrigerated within two hours after preparation or when they were served.
The rule also applies to store-bought cakes: once you have cut them, they should be refrigerated.
Yes: consider freezing pumpkin pies, nuts and fruits. If they are firmly in foil or plastic they will be preserved for almost 3 months. Defrost before heating to eat.
No: freeze cakes like custard.
Cakes and biscuits
It is preserved for: up to a week in the fridge
Cakes and biscuits can be left at room temperature on the table for up to 2 days; You'll want to cover them loosely with a plastic wrap to keep them moist. If they are put in the fridge, they will stay fresh for up to a week.
Yes: make sure the frozen slices are in airtight containers; They will last 2 to 3 months.
No: keep cakes with glazes or dairy-based fillings on the table after dessert. They need to go immediately to the fridge.
Jacqueline Howard of CNN contributed to this story.
Thanksgiving Turkey
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