The only thing better than a big Thanksgiving dinner is all the leftovers at the end of the night! "Leftovers are one of the best parts about Thanksgiving," Ree Drummond says. Whether it’s leftover turkey or leftover cranberry sauce, we love putting our extras to good use with our favorite Thanksgiving leftover recipes. But aside from piling everything onto a sandwich the next day, you might want to keep your leftovers for a little bit longer. Just think how happy you’ll be when you have Thanksgiving leftovers in the weeks (or even months) ahead! But how long do Thanksgiving leftovers last anyway? Hint: it's more than you might think… if stored correctly!

To make the most of your Thanksgiving meal, we've checked in with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for guidelines on just how long you can keep your roast turkey, Thanksgiving sides, and even the pumpkin pie. First things first, remember the "two-hour rule." According to the USDA, "all perishable items should be refrigerated within two hours of coming out of the refrigerator." This will prevent the foods from becoming unsafe to eat. So while it's nice and all to sit around the table and give thanks, remember not to let the food linger for longer than two hours. You can pack up the food, stick it in the fridge, and then get back to enjoying time with family and friends. For more on how far you can stretch your family feast in the days to come, read on for everything you need to know about storing Thanksgiving leftovers!

This content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

How long do thanksgiving leftovers last in the refrigerator?

If you're storing leftovers in the refrigerator, you’ll want to grab your calendar and set a reminder for the Monday after Thanksgiving. That’s the last day to safety eat leftovers, according to the USDA. Another way to think about it? Thanksgiving leftovers should last up to four days in the fridge. But the key is to store the extra food properly using several small containers (rather than one large container). Then, you can reheat the dish you want to use for that night!

The Pioneer Woman 20-Piece Assorted Food Storage Containers

The Pioneer Woman 20-Piece Assorted Food Storage Containers

The Pioneer Woman 20-Piece Assorted Food Storage Containers

$20 at Walmart

How long does turkey last in the refrigerator?

Just like with your leftover mashed potatoes, your leftover turkey can last in the refrigerator for up to four days, according to FoodSafety.gov. You'll want to carve the turkey off the bone and remove any stuffing from the cavity into a separate container. Use leftover turkey to make leftover turkey soup or freeze the rest for up to six months. (You'll want to know how to reheat the turkey so it tastes as fresh as ever.)

How do you freeze thanksgiving leftovers?

If you plan to store your leftovers for longer than four days, it's best to freeze it instead. According to the USDA, "frozen foods stay safe indefinitely." That means you can have pumpkin pie any time of year! But just note that the quality and flavor will diminish over time so it's best to reheat any frozen leftovers within two to six months. And, be sure to reheat everything to an internal temperature of 165 degrees!