6 Expert Hacks for Storing Thanksgiving Leftovers So They Maintain Their Freshness and Deliciousness

Even if you intend on eating seconds or thirds on turkey day, you’ll still most likely have leftovers. However, this is a good thing since a lot of foods typically taste better the next day as the flavors continue to develop. That’s why correctly storing Thanksgiving leftovers in the fridge is key to enjoying your favorite fixin’s including turkey, gravy and rolls for days to come. Otherwise, the food could spoil faster and you’d be left with having to throw it all away. Continue reading as these five storage tips are sure to keep your leftovers fresh and tasty after the big meal. 

Why it’s important to store Thanksgiving leftovers correctly

Whether you’re making a sandwich with the leftovers or reheating the entire dinner, storing them properly slows down bacteria growth. This not only prevents the food from spoiling fast, but it reduces your risk of foodborne illness—which can lead to symptoms like stomach pain and vomiting.  The USDA notes that leftovers should be refrigerated within two hours of serving and are fine to consume within three to four days once stored.

5 expert storage tricks for storing turkey day leftovers 

Having a plan for storing your Thanksgiving leftovers ensures that cleanup goes smoothly. So, use these five expert tips to savor those dishes for the next few days! (Also, read our stories on turkey day leftover recipes and how to throw a Thanksgiving leftovers party.)

1. Preserve cranberry sauce with an add-in.

Spices not only liven up your taste buds, they also fight bacteria and keep foods fresh longer. Try sprinkling a pinch of cayenne, a centuries-old natural preservative, into your cranberry sauce for a warm, zingy twist that will help keep the condiment tasty for weeks. Prefer sweet to spicy? Just place leftovers in a plastic container, then top with a ⅛-inch layer of honey—it contains small amounts of hydrogen peroxide that inhibit microbes, keeping the sauce fresh and delicious.

2. Store rolls with a celery stalk.

Keep bread rolls fresh at least a week longer by tossing a stalk of celery into the bag with them. Rolls get stale because they dry up—but celery emits moisture, which the rolls absorb, helping them to stay soft and fresh.

3. Cover salad greens with a foil ‘shield.’

“Store greens in a foil tray and cover it with more foil—this helps trap moisture within the lettuce, keeping it crisp,” food scientist Brian Chau says. “It also keeps out ethylene gas, which is released by other fruits and vegetables in your fridge and can cause lettuce to go bad faster.” Tip: Keep the tray on the top shelf of the fridge, which is slightly warmer, because air that’s too frosty causes greens to wilt faster. (Learn about the benefits of salad greens as a nourishing and crunchy addition to your regular diet.)

4. Freeze gravy into cubes.

Freeze gravy in ice cube trays, then stash the cubes in a freezer bag. “You’ll have delicious gravy for up to three months,” says food blogger Kate Thrane. “To defrost them, place a few cubes in a bowl and microwave on high for three minutes.”

5. Tightly wrap turkey.

If you’re planning to eat your bird within the next three to four days, just keep it insulated from the air as much as possible. “Because air causes oxidation, which promotes mold, wrap the turkey tightly in either plastic wrap or foil,” Chau says. Also smart: Include a few bay leaves, which act as natural antioxidants. (Warm up that turkey with ease using these tips from our story on how to reheat turkey.)

A version of this article originally appeared in our print magazine, Woman’s World.