After that big Christmas dinner, chances are you've got a load of leftover turkey and trimmings to tuck into over the next few days.
A Boxing Day buffet is a popular way to get through any leftovers, or you might fancy using up the meat for a turkey curry, pie or festive sandwich. Either way, you don't want to end up letting food go to waste, but it's important to make sure any cold cuts and excess food is stored properly so it doesn't make you sick.
According to the Food Standard's Agenc (FSA), there are an estimated 2.4 million cases of food poisoning in the UK each year. But Christmas is also a significant time of food waste, with Love Food Hate Waste estimating over 100,000 tonnes of edible poultry, 96,000 tonnes of carrots and 710,000 tonnes of potatoes are thrown away each year in the UK.
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A bout of food poisoning is a quick way to ruin your Christmas break, so there are some basic food hygiene rules you should follow to ensure everyone can enjoy leftovers safely. But just how long does cooked turkey last for in the fridge and freezer?
The NHS has previously advised that turkey stored in the fridge be eaten within two days. According to the FSA, leftover turkey that's been defrosted should be eaten within 24 hours. Take a look at these rules, shared by the FSA to ensure you stay safe.
How to freeze and defrost turkey and other meat safely
- Freezing acts as a pause button. It is safe to freeze food right up until the use-by date.
- You can freeze most food. This includes raw and cooked meats, fruit, potatoes (after boiling for five minutes), grated cheese, and eggs. Love Food Hate Waste have an A-Z on food storage, including how to freeze many different types of food.
- When food defrosts, its core temperature rises. This provides the ideal conditions for bacteria to grow if left at room temperature. It is best to defrost food slowly and safely in the fridge.
- You can also defrost your leftovers thoroughly in a microwave. Make sure you reheat until steaming hot. Once the food is defrosted eat within 24 hours.
- Reuse and reinvent your leftovers in different ways. Cool and cover your leftovers, and put them in a fridge or freezer within one to two hours. Splitting leftovers into smaller portions will cool food quicker, it may be more convenient to defrost portioned meals later.
- You can freeze cooked turkey, other cooked meat and meals made from cooked and frozen meat. It will be safe to eat for a long time, but you may see a deterioration in quality after 3-6 months.
- Once defrosted, you should eat the food within 24 hours. You can also use previously cooked frozen turkey to make a new meal, such as a turkey curry.
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