Sometimes you cook more food than you and your family can eat at one time. Refrigerating your leftovers extends the life of your dishes for a few days for later use as a second meal. Store your leftovers in a metal pot in the refrigerator if you plan to use them within 1 to 4 days. Keep in mind that gravies and meat broths last for 1 to 2 days in the refrigerator, while most other dishes last 3 to 4 days, according to the FDA.
Step 1
Place or leave no more than 2 inches of leftovers in a metal pot to facilitate cooling in the refrigerator. If your leftovers exceed 2 inches in depth, divide them into separate pots.
Step 2
Cover your metal pot with a lid or plastic wrap. Leave the lid slightly ajar if the food is warm until it cools.
Step 3
Place the metal pot in the refrigerator.
Tips and Warnings
- Discard food left at room temperature for longer than two hours or one hour at temperatures that exceed 90 degrees F. If you reheat your leftovers on the stovetop, bring sauces, soup and gravy to a boil. If you reheat them in an oven, heat to 165 degrees F before eating. Use a meat thermometer to test.
Things You'll Need
- Lid or plastic wrap
Member Comments