We’ve all been there—you spend hours prepping the perfect Thanksgiving feast, only to open the fridge the next day and find your carefully crafted sides have turned into a sad, soggy mess. Or worse, you discover your turkey juices have leaked all over everything. Yikes.
Storing Thanksgiving dishes properly isn’t just about keeping things fresh—it’s about preserving all that hard work (and deliciousness) so every bite tastes as good as it did on the big day. But if you’re just tossing leftovers into random containers or cramming everything into the fridge haphazardly, you’re making a big mistake.
Here’s how to store your Thanksgiving dishes the right way—so nothing goes to waste.
The Turkey: Keep It Contained (and Safe)
Raw turkey is basically a ticking time bomb in your fridge—it’s big, it’s messy, and if not stored properly, it can contaminate other foods. The key? Keep it sealed and at the bottom of the fridge.
Mistake to Avoid: Just plopping the turkey in a tray or loose plastic bag—juices will escape, and nobody wants a salmonella surprise.
Cranberry Sauce: Glass is Your Best Friend
Whether you’re team canned or homemade, cranberry sauce needs the right storage to stay fresh (and not stain everything red).
Mistake to Avoid: Leaving opened cans in the fridge—transfer to a proper container ASAP to avoid metallic taste and spoilage.
Stuffing/Dressing: Prep Ahead for Maximum Flavor
Make-ahead stuffing is a game-changer—it lets flavors meld overnight and saves oven space on Thanksgiving day.
Mistake to Avoid: Storing stuffing in flimsy plastic wrap—it’ll dry out or get soggy.
Green Bean Casserole & Mashed Potatoes: Glass for the Win
These sides are best prepped ahead, but they need proper storage to stay creamy and delicious.
Mistake to Avoid: Leaving mashed potatoes uncovered—they’ll form a weird crust. Always cover with a lid or plastic wrap pressed directly on the surface.
Potatoes & Sweet Potatoes: Don’t Let Them Rot
Nothing’s worse than grabbing potatoes for mashing only to find them sprouting or mushy.
Mistake to Avoid: Storing potatoes in plastic bags—they’ll sweat and rot.
Veggies & Prepped Sides: Multi-Task with the Right Bowls
Chopping veggies ahead? Prepping salads? You need a versatile bowl set that doubles as storage.
Mistake to Avoid: Using random Tupperware—you’ll lose lids and end up with a chaotic fridge.
Pies: Room Temp vs. Fridge Rules
Not all pies are stored the same way—some need refrigeration, while others are fine on the counter.
Mistake to Avoid: Refrigerating fruit pies—they’ll get soggy.
Final Tip: Label Everything!
Even the best storage won’t help if you forget what’s in each container. Use masking tape or sticky notes to label dishes with dates—your future self (and guests) will thank you.
