Well Thanksgiving was over a week ago, are all the leftovers used up? If there are any remaining, can you still eat them?
Unless they were frozen, the simple answer is NO.
I honestly thought there was more of a window to eat up what is in the fridge, but the experts say that is not the case without risking food poisoning.
How long do leftovers last?
Now what about expiration dates, are they set in stone, or is that just a suggestion, “proceed with caution” past that listed date?
That all depends on what it is and what the date is. “Use By” is different that “Best Before” and different products last longer than others.
Here is the guide.
How Long Are Foods Good After the Expiration Date?
Food Expiration Date Chart
| Eggs | Eat within 3 to 5 weeks when refrigerated |
| Yogurt | Eat within 2 weeks when refrigerated; within 2 months when frozen |
| Milk | Drink within 1 week when refrigerated; within 3 months when frozen |
| Butter | Eat within 3 months when refrigerated; within 6 months when frozen |
| Bacon | Eat within 2 weeks (unopened) or 1 week (opened) when refrigerated; within 1 month when frozen |
| Cold cuts, packaged | Eat within 2 weeks (unopened) or 5 days (opened) when refrigerated; within 2 months when frozen |
| Hot dogs | Eat within 2 weeks (unopened) or 1 week (opened) when refrigerated; within 1 to 2 months when frozen |
| Ketchup | Eat within 6 months (opened) when refrigerated; can store in pantry for 1 year (unopened) |
| Mayonnaise | Eat within 2 months (opened) when refrigerated; can store in pantry for 3 months (unopened) |
| Jams and jellies | Eat within 6 months (opened) when refrigerated; can store in pantry for 1 year (unopened) |
| Rice and dried pasta | Eat within 2 years |
| Beer, bottles and cans | Drink within 1 day (opened) when refrigerated; can store in pantry for 9 months (unopened) |
| Soda, bottles and cans | Drink within 2 days (opened) when refrigerated; can store in pantry for 6 months (unopened) |
Lastly I will leave you with a trick that will ensure the food in your freezer is still good.
The only problem might be if you don’t have any stray pennies lying around, but this is a good trick to ensure your freezer has stayed frozen. Not a bad thing to be sure of as we get to winter storm and power outage season.
