Minnesotans Warned to Follow the 2-4-4 Rule for Christmas Leftovers

It's been a few days since Christmas and you probably still have some leftovers in the fridge.

I have a love-hate relationship with leftovers. It's so nice not to have to cook for a night or two because you've got food already made. But sometimes you can get to a point where there are too many leftovers and I get really sick of eating the same thing over and over again.

ALSO READ: MN Included in Cat Food Recall, One Death Already Reported

You have to do something with those leftovers, though, but how long are those leftovers actually safe to eat?

What Happens When Leftovers Are Too Old

You may take a peek in the fridge at some leftovers and think 'well, it looks and smells fine, I'm sure it's good to eat!'

Hold your horses, CBC writes that after a certain amount of time, food "may look and smell OK, but some pathogens, like Listeria monocytogenes and Clostridium botulinum, can grow under refrigeration temperatures and become a hazard".

Get our free mobile app

This can, of course, give you the stomach flu, which is never any fun.

The 2-4-4 Rule

Then there's a food rule that I just learned today that experts call the 2-4-4 rule.

Here's how it works: 2 hours after cooking the food, it's safe to eat. After 4 hours at room temperature, though, you should throw it out. And experts say prepared food is safe for up to 4 days in the fridge.

Also, the pathogens that the CBC says can start growing on your food they say can start to happen after one week.

So if you prepared food for your Christmas celebration on Christmas Day, this weekend is your last chance to eat those leftovers.

Another option, if you want to save your food beyond those 4 days, is to freeze it. Portion the leftovers out into meals so you're not thawing and re-freezing everything. That way you can keep the leftovers longer because the freezer will ward off any nasty stuff.