How Long Should You Keep Your Thanksgiving Leftovers?

I know it's hard to believe, but one of the best days that is celebrated in America has come and gone. Now it's time for us to look towards shopping, spending time with family, and the new year.

However, before we get there, let's take a minute to reminisce about what Thanksgiving is all about. Thanksgiving weekend is the perfect time to celebrate everything you are grateful for with your family and friends while gathering together for a fantastic meal. And, of course, now that we've stuffed ourselves with all of our favorite holiday food, sides, and fixings, one essential question remains?

What, Exactly, Do We Do With All This Food Leftover?

Believe it or not, the average American takes in over 3,000 calories during a typical Thanksgiving night. To put that in perspective, that's like eating at least 6 Big Macs, and this does not include all of the leftover food we're bound to eat for the next few days. But how long should this food last in your fridge? And, perhaps even more important: how many different meals and snacks can you form out of the goodies that didn't get eaten when the family came over?

Think about it; there are tons of different combinations you can make out of these leftovers:

• Turkey Sandwiches,
• Turkey Soup,
• Turkey Pot Pie,
• Homemade Mac & Cheese Pizza,
• Fried Mashed Potato Bites,
• Stuffing/Dressing Hash and Eggs (my personal favorite),
• Cranberry BBQ Sauce,
• and countless more things you could try.

With all these options, how long can you go having turkey casserole before it's time to toss it all away?

How Long Should Your Leftovers Last?

Well, according to officials from the US Department of Agriculture and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, you should really get rid of those leftovers by the Monday after Thanksgiving:

Use the Monday after Thanksgiving as a reminder that it is the last day you can safely eat leftovers. If you want to keep leftovers longer, freeze them within that four-day period.
-US Department of Agriculture

Pffty, but since when do we listen to what the USDA and CDC have to say?! I asked a bunch of people on social media what they do with their leftovers, and the vast majority of people say their leftovers last no more than two days, which would mean they're gone by Saturday. While a few other folks said their food would be gone by Sunday.

If you grew up in a household like mine, then you know we used to have to make that food last a whole lot little longer—however, those days are long gone in the Nice household.

How long are you going to save your Thanksgiving leftovers?