Cooking
Every tip here is checked against the sources listed on its page.
Food you throw away is money you already spent. So let’s keep what you buy fresh longer, and turn the pantry into a good, cheap dinner.
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Cheap dinners
Good food does not have to cost much. These dinners start with what is already in the pantry, and every price has the date we checked it beside it.
Prices from Walmart.com on the date shown. They change by store and by week.
All cooking tips
How to Make Fridge Room Before Thanksgiving
Clear a full shelf for the turkey and room for the sides. What to toss, what can live in the pantry or a cooler, and how to keep cold air moving.
How Long Thanksgiving Leftovers Last (and How to Store Them)
Turkey, stuffing and gravy keep 3 to 4 days in the fridge, USDA says. A chart for every Thanksgiving dish, plus how to pack, freeze and reheat them.
How to Thaw a Turkey Safely (Fridge and Cold Water Times)
Thaw a turkey in the fridge, about 1 day for every 4 to 5 pounds, or in cold water at 30 minutes a pound. USDA times by size, plus what never to do.
How to keep herbs fresh for two weeks or more
Soft herbs in water, hardy herbs in a damp towel, and both last far longer.
How to keep lettuce crisp for a week
Dry it well, give it a little air and set the crisper drawer right.
How long leftovers really last in the fridge
A plain chart of what keeps three to four days and what keeps less.
How to store onions, potatoes and garlic
Here is where to keep each one so it lasts as long as it can.
How to store bananas, avocados and other counter fruit
Slow down fruit that ripens too fast, or speed up the one you need tonight.
How to keep berries from molding
Dry berries and a container with some air keep the fuzz away a little longer.
How to soften hard brown sugar
Rock-hard brown sugar can come back soft, and it does not take long.
Put the leftovers rules on your fridge
The free Kitchen and Laundry Rescue Guide includes a leftovers card with USDA’s timing rules, plus herb and lettuce storage on the same page.
