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Honored Contributor
Posts: 9,305
Registered: ‎06-08-2016

Let's share any tips on saving those leftovers.

 

I do this all during the year also.

I've managed to collect a number of wide mouth glass jars.   Some are canning jars, some are pickle jars.    I buy the plastic screw on lids and use these for leftover gravy, or leftover canned milk.  They fit nicely in the refrigerator are easy to clean and obviously easy to see inside.

 

I've also accumulated a number of loaf pans.  After the meal, I transfer food from the casserole dish to a loaf pan and cover with plastic wrap and foil.   Because of their shape, they fit together very well and can be stacked.   Convenient when re-heating too. (not in microwave)  Then transfer back into a casserole dish for serving.

 

I have a few of the Glad type containers with lids but I sometimes struggle finding matching lids or even putting them on & taking them off.

 

I know many of you have great collections of Lock & Lock.

 

What do you like & how do you use it?

Honored Contributor
Posts: 39,219
Registered: ‎08-19-2010

Re: Thanksgiving Food Storage

Only thing I keep is turkey and desserts. Rest gets thrown out.

Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,375
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Thanksgiving Food Storage

Since mashed potatoes are our favorite side, I make a ton. I then freeze the leftovers in casserole dishes for another meal. Once they’re frozen, I remove them from the casserole dish, put them in my Food Saver bags, and place in the freezer....that way I don’t use all of my casserole dishes in the freezer. Then I just place them in boiling water the next time I want fresh mashed potatoes. I do this with most of my leftovers. The Food Saver system is such a time and money saver. Reheating leftovers in boiling water helps prevent drying them out in the oven or microwave.

 

I store almost everything else in Lock&Lock....I have a ton...and I mean a ton.😉 If it’s stored in the Pantry or Fridge, then it’s in a L&L.

 

Honored Contributor
Posts: 9,305
Registered: ‎06-08-2016

Re: Thanksgiving Food Storage

I get it with the home made mashed potatoes.

 

Only way to go!

 

 


@grandma petes wrote:

Since mashed potatoes are our favorite side, I make a ton. I then freeze the leftovers in casserole dishes for another meal. Once they’re frozen, I remove them from the casserole dish, put them in my Food Saver bags, and place in the freezer....that way I don’t use all of my casserole dishes in the freezer. Then I just place them in boiling water the next time I want fresh mashed potatoes. I do this with most of my leftovers. The Food Saver system is such a time and money saver. Reheating leftovers in boiling water helps prevent drying them out in the oven or microwave.

 

I store almost everything else in Lock&Lock....I have a ton...and I mean a ton.😉 If it’s stored in the Pantry or Fridge, then it’s in a L&L.

 


 

Honored Contributor
Posts: 18,812
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Thanksgiving Food Storage

I have tons of lock n lock. I don't cook big dinners anymore and only bring home enough leftovers for a few days so no freezing. I did freeze some squash and pumpkin for soups in freezer bags. Don't normally re heat in those containers tho--will do that on my serve ware.

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,945
Registered: ‎03-20-2012

Re: Thanksgiving Food Storage

I use Lock & Lock for almost everything. The turkey I usually put in a temptations dish because of the size and the fact that I like ceramic for meat keeping.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 17,346
Registered: ‎03-11-2010

Re: Thanksgiving Food Storage

after years of doing thanksgiving, I have kept a spreadsheet and review afterward so to I know how much to make the following year 

 

I know how to cook enough for 1 day of leftovers which is all we need

 

Respected Contributor
Posts: 4,415
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Thanksgiving Food Storage

I store everything in lock & lock and then make individual meals for the freezer.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 44,347
Registered: ‎01-08-2011

Re: Thanksgiving Food Storage

I send the leftover dark meat with my DS and my DIL.  They love it, and I had a bite which is all I want.  I also send 1/2 turkey breast plus almost 1/2 of all of the leftovers plus a pumpkin pie.  Our DS will make a few turkey sandwiches for work as well.

Our son grew up eating leftovers for a few days and he loves it.  This year has been difficult for him, and I'm especially happy to do that.  I taught Foods and Adv Foods and put many students in 5 star resturants. 

DS likes the way I cook.  (They do, don't they moms??".  One day, he will cook beside me.  Our oldest grandson is going to be making candy with me this year.

 

My first cousin, who is alone, will also take home several days leftovers.

 

I'll only store for a few days.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 12,711
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Thanksgiving Food Storage

There is only the 2 of us but we both like turkey & the traditional sides (don't ask me why I only make at TG maybe the price/lb!) anyway, I make a 14 lb so I have leftovers.  I freeze for later meals. I do wrap the meat well and then put in LNL.

 

Recently, I donated all my different size LNL and bought:

K47094 - Multishape

K47093 - Rectangles 

 

I freeze a lot of things in these containers.  I like the squares & rectangles because they take up "less" space in my fridge & freezer.

 

I store everything (including all my pantry items -take out of boxes put in pantry sets and leftovers in my LNL.