If there’s one thing we associate with the week between Christmas and New Year, it’s leftovers.
Whether it’s turkey curries or stuffing sandwiches, making use of that excess food is the name of the game, but it’s important to know how to do so safely.
Here’s everything you need to know about storing and reheating your leftover turkey, and what top chefs suggest you do with it.
How long does cooked turkey last?
The UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) advises that cooked turkey should be eaten or frozen within two days of cooking.
Celebrity chef Vivek Singh says it can last a little longer. He says cooked turkey is good for up to five days – the dayof cooking plus four more – if stored in the fridge.
As soon as the meat has cooled, turkey should be covered carefully and then put it in the fridge – you can help to cool the meat quickly by slicing it. Store the meat in an airtight container.
Food writer Sue Quinn, whose new bookSecond Helpings is all about using leftovers, advises: “You really want to getany leftover turkey, ham, beef or other meat into the fridge or freezer within two hours of coming out of the oven.
“It reduces the risk of giving people food poisoning – whatever you do, don’t keep it out overnight! That eagerly awaited toast with cold roast meat for breakfast on Boxing Day could make you ill.”
Can you freeze cooked turkey?
The FSA says: “You can freeze cooked turkey, other cooked meat and meals made from cooked and frozen meat.
“It will be safe to eat for a long time, but you may see a deterioration in quality after 3-6 months.”
When it’s time to use your turkey, the FSA advises it is best to defrost it “slowly and safely in the fridge” or “thoroughly in a microwave”.
Once you have defrosted your turkey, you should eat it within 24 hours.
How can you use leftover turkey?
There is a wide range of recipes that can showcase your cooked turkey, from the traditional turkey curry to wraps and spruced-up sandwiches.
You can find a variety here, while the Love Food Hate Waste project has a host of ideas for making your Christmas dinner leftovers go further.
If you prefer your leftover turkey warm, don’t reheat the meat more than once as this can provide extra opportunities for bacteria to grow and produce toxins.
The British Turkey board says the best way to reheat cooked turkey is to slice it up and layer the slices in an oven dish.
It advises covering the meat with gravy, then covering with tin foil and a lid and placing in a hot oven. Legs and wings can and should – for flavour – stay on the bone.
“Make sure the turkey is piping hot before serving,” British Turkey said. “Alternatively, reheat in a microwave, using manufacturer’s instructions.”
Quinn suggests: “Make a lovely big pie. Add any leftover ham in with the turkey, and leftover vegetables too. Enchiladas are also fabulous – they contain lots of spices, so it really doesn’t seem like you’re eating the same meal again. Or make a vibrant salad. I have a Thai-style salad in my book that’s served with crispy noodles and Thai flavours – it works equally well with turkey or chicken.”
She adds: “If you really can’t be bothered tomake a special dishto celebrate your leftovers, just finely chop any leftover vegetables or meat and add them to an omelette, or make a super easy pasta sauce: fry an onion with a pinch of salt until very soft, add chopped leftover meat and/or vegetables and fry until hot. Add a splash each of white wine, stock and cream, plus lots of seasoning. Simmer until you have a sauce consistency (add some pasta water to loosen if necessary).”
Swaledale Butchers’ in-house chef, George Ryle, says: “Don’t forget to utilise the carcass itself. Turkey bones make a really wonderful stock that can form the basis of many a great meal. Put a slightly Spanish twist on things with a baked rice with turkey and diced ham.”
