How to Safely Store Leftovers

Leftovers are never lacking, and they almost always end up in the wrong place: the garbage can. Not so much due to carelessness, but rather to a very simple error in method: we don't know how to preserve them. Yet it's a simple and quick task. The important thing is to make a few smart moves: for example, never put hot leftovers directly in the refrigerator and wait for them to cool to room temperature first; use airtight, closed containers; And certainly don't put leftovers in the refrigerator in the pan where they were cooked; cover the food well, if using cling film.

Index of topics

The containers

The most suitable containers are always glass: the important thing is that they are the right size to store leftover food. Among other things, glass containers have the advantage of being easy to move from the refrigerator to the freezer and even the oven. Leftovers should be placed in a clean container and not stored in the same container in which they were cooked or served. Divide leftover food into small portions and, before freezing, place them in containers no deeper than 5 cm, so they cool more quickly. It's best not to let leftovers cool on the countertop. Stirring the food with a spoon can speed up the cooling process, but immediately seal and place in the refrigerator. To allow rapid and even cooling inside the refrigerator or freezer, leave space for air circulation around the container. It's recommended consume leftovers within two days although some products may still be safe after 3-5 days: the longer a cooked food is kept, the greater the risk of food poisoning.

In the fridge

Once cooked, food must be refrigerated or frozen within two hours. After this time (which drops to only one hour in the summer), food at room temperature can develop bacteria that can make it dangerous. Always use clean utensils and hands, and ensure that food never comes into contact with dirty surfaces. The ideal refrigerator temperature, to prevent leftover foods from losing their organoleptic qualities, is around 4°C (39°F). In any case, it's important for foods to have room to breathe and not be stuck together.

In the freezer

If you decide to instead freeze Leftovers must be perfectly cold to preserve their texture. To defrost them, you can use the refrigerator, hot water, or the microwave. The refrigerator is the safest method because it allows for slower defrosting. If you're in a hurry, you can place the food in a sealed plastic bag and immerse it in hot water, changing the water every thirty minutes.

Freezer containers should be low and spaced apart to allow cold air to circulate.

How to reheat leftovers

Always bring sauces, gravies, and soups to a boil, while other foods should be reheated to about 75°C internally, stirring to ensure even heating and serving piping hot. Important: never reheat food more than once or mix leftovers with fresh foods.

How to store cooked meat

There are some leftovers that are always better to reuse quickly than to preserve. This is the case with cooked meat and cooked fish. For the former, simply mince the meat, mix it with eggs, grated Parmesan cheese, and a few vegetables: you'll have delicious meatballs to prepare in a stew or in the oven. For leftover cooked fish, fillet it and use it as a pasta sauce, or to make simple but delicious side dishes. fish sticks.

How long can leftovers be stored?

Leftovers, whether in the fridge or freezer, cannot be stored. sine die. Indeed, depending on the type of food and the place where we have placed it, we must proceed with consumption within a rather short time.

In the fridge:

Ready meals: max 2–3 days
Cooked meat or fish: 1–2 days
Pasta or rice: 2–3 days
Cooked vegetables: 2–3 days

In the freezer

Ready meals: up to 2–3 months
Bread and sweets: up to 1–3 months
Soups and sauces: up to 3 months

When to throw away leftovers

There are leftovers that can't be recovered and should be thrown away. The main clue here is the smell of the food: if it seems strange and unpleasant, don't waste time and don't take any risks. It's a leftover that's no longer edible. The same goes for the color; if it's significantly different from the traditional one, then the leftover should be discarded. And for the consistency, (a floury or mashed food cannot be considered a leftover to be kept)A little tip to keep in mind: if you're not happy with the leftover food, based on these instructions, avoid tasting it and throw it away.

How to preserve leftovers