Now that you have diligently prepared and enjoyed your Thanksgiving feast, what remains on agenda is effectively stashing away those treasured leftovers for subsequent meals. As delightful as it is to savor these taste mementos, it’s important to abide by safety guidelines to avert potential health risks. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's estimates suggest that foodborne illnesses yearly result in 48 million cases, cause 128,000 hospital admissions and lead to 3,000 deaths.

"Thanksgiving is a time when the topic of food safety gains particular importance, given that meals are prepared for larger groups and are not everyday recipes," conveys Meredith Carothers, MPH from USDA's food safety public affairs division.

Ensuring safe leftovers commences in your very dining room. Unless maintained at 140°F on buffet warming trays, the leftovers, turkey being an instance, should be refrigerated or frozen within a couple of hours, shared Carothers. Storing them airtight and reheating to a minimum of 165°F before serving is recommended by Caroline Thomason, RD, CDCES, a dietitian based in Washington, D.C.

In Thomason's words, Thanksgiving leftovers "are safe in the refrigerator for up to four days - until the Monday after Thanksgiving to eat them - or you can place them in the freezer to enjoy later." For optimal quality, frozen leftovers should be enjoyed within two to six months.

The same rules apply to all your additional Thanksgiving dishes, from mashed potatoes and gravy to mac and cheese and others.

Celebrated chef Jerome Grant, alongside Thomason, further provides tips to bring a refreshing angle to your leftover meals. "Turkey is so versatile as a lean protein, making it the perfect centerpiece of a variety of recipes," Thomason asserts. Therefore, have fun innovating with your remaining turkey, creating new dishes that still capture the essence of Thanksgiving.