CHICAGO— Whether you cook all your food for the week on Sunday or have extra food left at the end of a meal—for many families, leftovers are key to solving the problem of "what's for dinner." Meals like pastas, soups, chili, and other home-cooked meals can easily be reheated for lunch at the office the next day or packed in a heat-insulated thermos for kids' lunches.
Some foods like casseroles, chicken salad, and foods with many different spices can even taste better the next day once all the flavors meld together. But in order for your leftovers to keep that "first bite" taste, properly handling of them can help ensure the leftovers you love stay delicious and bacteria-free.
"Leftovers the next day can be a lovely reminder of the meal you shared with loved ones," says food scientist Kantha Shelke, PhD a spokesperson for the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), and principal of Corvus Blue, a Chicago-based food science and research firm. "They're also a great way to stretch your food budget. Properly handling and storing leftovers can help ensure your family gets the most value and enjoyment out of the food you've prepared."
IFT shares food facts and safety tips for consumers on its website, IFTfoodfacts.org. The organization cites three key areas for handling leftovers safely: proper refrigeration, storage containers and heating.