topic Re: How long do you keep (use) left overs? in Community Chat

How long do you keep (use) left overs?

Shorty2U — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 04:38:39 GMT

I believe there have been threads on outdated packaged foods before but Im wondering about leftovers.

How long do you keep leftovers before using them OR tossing them?

The reason I ask, we usually eat leftovers and do not toss a lot of food. BUT my husband is always taking 1 to 2 week old leftovers to work if he finds them in the fridge.

He never gets sick (not that I wish him too) but I throw out most left overs in 5 days if I notice it. (I cant bend to look way in the back of the fridge so sometimes some pass me by and yep he finds them).

Well today is an example of something he found that I missed, and he took 2 week old spaghetti and meatballs to work to eat for lunch. AND hes taking the rest tomorrow. (Its odd that we have spaghetti left because its our favorite but we did this time).

When he does take something that is a week or more old to work I cringe! lol.

I used to work in the food industry and I tell him we were told 3 to 5 days is IT for leftovers (depending what it is), but he does this all the time and he is fine. (Maybe he has a stomach made of steel? lol).

Re: How long do you keep (use) left overs?

tansy — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 04:44:35 GMT

That is exactly how my husband will die if I pass away first:/ I try to clean out leftovers around day 3 or 4 but I have to do it when he's not watching.

Re: How long do you keep (use) left overs?

circles — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 04:45:27 GMT

I give the leftovers two or three days.....but I am fairly fussy so probably could hold them a couple more days...but don't....

Your husbands two week old spaghetti...would never be in my lunch...home or at work..I hope he never gets ill...especially in the summer months when stuff doesn't hold up as long....even in the fridge...

Re: How long do you keep (use) left overs?

ROMARY — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 04:45:28 GMT

Spaghetti will turn rancid left that long in fridge, along with the tomato sauce. I know from experience years ago when I was a child, and it was only a few days old. Not in our house. Meatballs, probably even worse, IMO. If we don't eat the leftovers on the second day, and they are a substantial quantity, I freeze them.

Re: How long do you keep (use) left overs?

GCR18 — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 04:46:02 GMT

If I know it's not going to be eaten tomorrow, I freeze it. So it's usually one day.

Re: How long do you keep (use) left overs?

VanSleepy — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 04:54:12 GMT

I won't eat (or expect them to eat!) anything after a week. My #1 son doesn't care how old it is...he was really poor in college lol

Re: How long do you keep (use) left overs?

sunshine45 — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 04:56:25 GMT

around one week

Re: How long do you keep (use) left overs?

mewsmomtoo — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 05:05:37 GMT

Hi Shorty, 5 days is about my max too, don't know why, it just is

Re: How long do you keep (use) left overs?

seattlegirl98026 — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 05:08:30 GMT

Optimally, 3-5 days, and anything older than a week gets tossed. I also do a sniff test and if it smells "off" it gets tossed.

Re: How long do you keep (use) left overs?

Lakk — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 05:10:55 GMT

How long can you leave leftovers in the fridge? - Food and ...

Re: How long do you keep (use) left overs?

RibbonsRosesRainbows — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 05:13:47 GMT

I really don't have left overs but if I do usually 2-3 days and I eat it.

Re: How long do you keep (use) left overs?

Shorty2U — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 05:20:48 GMT

Thank you and I agree with all of you! And I am going to read and show him that article Lakk, thank you!

Re: How long do you keep (use) left overs?

chessylady — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 05:21:07 GMT

Eat or freeze on day four.

Re: How long do you keep (use) left overs?

missy1 — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 05:24:05 GMT

Meat leftovers-2 days (ex: spaghetti and meatballs etc.)

Non-meat left overs-3 to 4 days (ex: mashed potatoes)

I usually don't refreeze leftovers, not eaten within my time frame.

Re: How long do you keep (use) left overs?

moonstone dunes — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 05:35:37 GMT

Home cooked 3 - 4 days; restaurant leftovers within a day only if refrigerated quickly after boxing them.

Never refrigerate canned tuna fish after mixing it for a tuna salad, use it within several hours. Also if you eat AHI style tuna and fresh tuna even when it has been cooked, don't keep it as a leftover. All tuna and darker meat fish carry histotoxins - these can become more intense with each temperature fluctuation and cause food poisoning.

Re: How long do you keep (use) left overs?

MaggieToo — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 09:16:26 GMT

No longer than three days, even if it's safe, out it goes. My 3 day rule. My dad used to say "When in doubt, throw it out".

Re: How long do you keep (use) left overs?

Grade1Teach — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 11:01:41 GMT

It depends on what it is.

I usually get rid of leftovers by Day 3 or 4 though.

Re: How long do you keep (use) left overs?

gidgetgh — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 11:34:59 GMT

Two nights for us and that's it. We don't eat anything older than that.

Re: How long do you keep (use) left overs?

Photo Donna — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 13:36:51 GMT

Two days

Re: How long do you keep (use) left overs?

~moxie~ — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 13:40:04 GMT

Oh I am sure there have been numerous threads about leftovers. It is so controversial.