How to prep your fridge & freezer for Thanksgiving leftovers

Thanksgiving dinner is a great time, but after the plates are cleared and the guests are gone, the real challenge begins: figuring out how to store all those leftovers. Organizing your fridge and freezer in advance can help you make the most of those leftovers and enjoy Thanksgiving flavors for days (or even weeks) to come!

Organize for best use of space

Make room for leftovers with a few quick, efficient steps to keep everything organized and easy to reach:

Clear out beforehand

• Do a quick fridge sweep to remove nearly empty bottles, expired items, and anything you won’t use.
• Group Thanksgiving ingredients together on one shelf so you’re organized and ready on the big day.

Optimize shelf space

• Adjust shelf heights to make room for taller dishes like casseroles and pitchers of gravy.
• Stack flat items, like baking sheets and pans, near the bottom or back to maintain good airflow.
• Use door shelves for smaller items and condiments, saving the main shelves for larger containers.
• Dedicate one of the crisper drawers to small leftover containers to keep everything in one spot.

Quick cleaning 

• Wipe down shelves with a water and baking soda mix for a fresh start.
• Line shelves with easy-to-remove mats or paper towels to catch spills and save time on cleanup.

Create a “leftovers zone”

• Designate a specific shelf or section of the fridge as the “leftovers zone” to keep everything in one easy-to-find spot.
• Stack similar items together (e.g., turkey, veggies, desserts) so they’re accessible and don’t get lost in the fridge shuffle.

Keep air circulating

• Avoid overcrowding shelves; an over-packed fridge restricts air circulation, leading to uneven cooling and potential food spoilage.
• Spread containers out as much as possible or stack strategically to allow airflow around each item.

Read more:   Thanksgiving appliance checklist: What to check and fix before the holiday

Adjust fridge & freezer settings

To keep your Thanksgiving leftovers fresh and safe, a few adjustments to your fridge and freezer settings can go a long way. Small changes to temperature and shelf setup will help maintain food quality and ensure everything stays cool and organized.

Set temperatures

• Adjust the fridge temperature to 35–38°F to keep leftovers fresh longer without freezing them.
• Set the freezer to 0°F, the optimal temperature for long-term storage, so items like turkey and stuffing remain safe and don’t lose flavor.

Avoid overloading 

• A packed fridge can block airflow, making it harder to maintain a consistent temperature. Try to leave some space around containers to allow cool air to circulate.
• If your fridge is still crowded, consider moving non-perishable or less sensitive items, like condiments, to a cool spot outside of the fridge temporarily.

Organize by shelf for best cooling

• Place items that need the coldest temperatures, like meats and dairy, at the back of the fridge where it’s typically coldest.
• Use the top shelves for leftovers you plan to eat soon, and lower shelves for items that may go into the freezer later, keeping everything easy to access.

Organize freezer compartments

• Dedicate a section of the freezer to Thanksgiving leftovers, keeping similar items (like turkey, side dishes, and desserts) grouped together.
• Stack vacuum-sealed bags or flat containers to save space and make defrosting straightforward.

Defrost your fridge or freezer

If you’re gearing up to store a feast’s worth of leftovers, make sure your refrigerator or chest freezer is defrosted and ready to go. Here’s how to tackle defrosting your fridge or freezer so it’s prepped and ready for the holiday overflow.

Plan a defrost day ahead of time

• Choose a day a week or two before Thanksgiving to fully defrost, giving the fridge or freezer time to settle back to the set temperature before you start packing it full.
• Remove all items and place them temporarily in coolers or another freezer if available.

Speed up the defrosting process

• Unplug the fridge or freezer, open the door, and place towels around the base to catch any melting ice.
• To speed things up, place bowls of hot water inside to warm the air and help melt ice faster. Check and replace the hot water every 20 minutes for quicker results.

Clear out ice buildup

• As ice melts, gently remove large pieces with a plastic spatula or scraper to avoid damaging the appliance walls.
• Wipe down the interior with a mix of baking soda and water to eliminate any lingering odors and ensure a fresh start.

Organize and prioritize items as you restock

• Once everything’s defrosted and dry, plug the appliance back in and allow it to reach the ideal temperature (0°F for freezers, 35–38°F for fridges).
• Restock your fridge or freezer thoughtfully, organizing by category and leaving room for upcoming Thanksgiving leftovers.

Read more:   How to get your refrigerator ready for Thanksgiving

Freezer storage tricks

If you’re planning to keep Thanksgiving leftovers for a while, freezing them correctly is key to maintaining flavor and texture. A few smart freezer storage tricks will help you save space, prevent freezer burn, and make defrosting easy when you’re ready to enjoy those holiday dishes again.

Flat-freezing for space efficiency

• For sauces, use freezer-safe bags and lay them flat to freeze. This method saves space, making it easy to stack bags on top of each other.
• Freeze leftovers in small portions so you can defrost only what you need. This is especially helpful for turkey and side dishes, making reheating more efficient.

Prevent freezer burn

• Wrap items tightly and use freezer-safe containers or bags to keep air out and prevent freezer burn, which can dry out food and alter its taste.
• For delicate items like stuffing or pie, consider wrapping them in a layer of plastic wrap or foil before placing them in a freezer-safe bag or container.

Smart freezer organization

• Use bins or baskets to keep similar items grouped together, making it easy to find what you need without rummaging through the freezer.
• Keep a list on the freezer door of what you’ve stored and the dates, helping you keep track of what’s inside and when it was frozen. This can prevent food from getting lost or forgotten.

Read more:   Refrigerator maintenance guide for Thanksgiving

Additional information

Thank you for reading! We hope this guide helps you get ready to enjoy a Thanksgiving filled with good food, good company, and no kitchen surprises!

If you have any other appliance repair needs or projects, don’t hesitate to explore our other troubleshooting guides and videos.

If you need replacement parts or some extra help with ordering them, grab your model number and head over to AppliancePartsPros.com, where you can chat with a pro, read our DIY blog and more.

Be sure to subscribe to us on YouTube and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!