You’ve started out the new year eating healthy and one of the ways you are accomplishing your goal is by preparing healthy meals ahead of time. But are you following proper cooking, food storage, thawing and reheating techniques? The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) offers great tips on cooking, storing, thawing and reheating leftovers. To reduce your chance of acquiring a foodborne illness, follow the USDA’s recommendation on food safety and leftovers. Click here for a direct link to the USDA’s recommendation on food safety and leftovers.
Key points to remember:
- Leftovers can be kept in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days or frozen for 3 to 4 months.
- Cool food rapidly to prevent bacterial growth.
- Label and date when storing leftovers in the refrigerator or freezer.
