Reheating Christmas Leftovers Could Put You at Risk If You Get This Wrong

With Christmas celebrations in full swing, many households are facing fridges packed with leftover food. While a festive feast is part of the season, new figures highlight how much food ends up wasted, with 54 million plates of food thrown away across the UK during the Christmas period.

To help cut waste while keeping people safe, food hygiene expert Dr Richard Anderson, Head of Learning and Development at High Speed Training, has shared clear guidance on how to store and reheat Christmas leftovers properly.

How Long Can Christmas Leftovers Be Kept?

Richard explains that food is always best eaten straight after cooking, but some leftovers can be safely stored for a short time if handled correctly.

Leftover meat such as turkey, chicken and pork should be eaten within two to three days of cooking. These should always be kept refrigerated in a sealed container.

Vegetables and potatoes can be stored for longer, but should still be eaten within a week. Like meat, they should be kept in sealed containers in the fridge to remain safe and retain their taste.

Safe Reheating Times and Temperatures

Different foods require different reheating methods to ensure they are safe to eat.

• Turkey
  Keep refrigerated for two to three days. Reheat in the oven at 220°C until piping hot.

• Chicken
  Keep refrigerated for two to three days. Reheat in the oven at 220°C until piping hot.

• Pork
  Keep refrigerated for two to three days. Reheat in the oven at 220°C until piping hot.

• Vegetables
  Keep refrigerated for three to five days. Root vegetables should be reheated in the oven at 160°C. Green vegetables can be reheated in the microwave for three minutes and should be stirred halfway through.

• Potatoes
  Keep refrigerated for three to five days. Roast potatoes should be reheated in the oven at 160°C. Mashed potatoes can be reheated in the microwave for three minutes and stirred halfway through. If not piping hot, they should be cooked for longer.

How Many Times Can You Reheat Food?

According to Richard, food should only be reheated once. This follows guidance from the Food Standards Agency and helps reduce the risk of food poisoning.

“It’s also important to ensure that the core temperature of the food is piping hot for food safety purposes,” he said.

The Best Way to Reheat Leftovers

Richard says the safest and most efficient way to reheat food is in a preheated oven, usually between 160°C and 220°C depending on the type of food.

Microwaves can also be used, particularly for convenience, and will safely reheat meats such as turkey. However, microwaving can dry food out and may not heat it as evenly.

“You should only eat the reheated food once it is piping hot and visibly producing steam,” Richard said. “If you have a temperature probe, use this to check that the food is at least 75°C.”

Can Chicken or Turkey Be Reheated Twice?

Chicken and turkey are no different from other meats and can be reheated safely, but only once. Richard stresses that meat must be heated thoroughly, including in the middle where it is thickest.

“For ease, if you have a large piece of meat leftover, cut this up into various servings for any leftover meals you plan to make, this way you’re able to only reheat each part of the meat once,” he said.

For more information about food hygiene courses, visit the High Speed Training food hygiene courses page.