Did you know that around 48 million cases of food poisoning are reported in the United States each year, according to an estimate by the Federal government?
Viruses and bacteria are the major causes of food poisoning, and it all starts when your food gets contaminated by any of them. And one of the ways your food can get contaminated by bacteria is if you leave it out of the fridge for a long time.
You should not eat a kebab that’s been left out overnight because it could lead to food poisoning, as bacteria multiply fast at room temperature. In fact, you shouldn’t eat any perishable food that’s been left out at room temperature for more than two hours. The danger zone for bacterial growth is between 40-140 degrees Fahrenheit.
Throwing away a meal as delicious as kebab isn’t a thing anyone would be willing to do, but in this case, it will save you from unnecessary illness.
How Long Can You Leave Kebab Out?
Kebab shouldn’t be left out of the fridge for more than two hours. But why? Between 40° F and 140° F bacteria grow very fast and this can make you severely ill. And one more thing, the kebab is likely to be ruined and taste awful.
Sometimes people assume that heating the kebab after leaving it out overnight would make it safe for consumption. However, the truth is, heating kebab that was left out for as little as two hours doesn’t make it safe from bacteria.
Therefore the best thing to do with a kebab left out for more than two hours is to dispose of it
However, some types of food like bread won’t harm you if you leave them unrefrigerated for long.
How Long Can You Store Leftover Kebab In the Fridge?
We all try to freeze leftover food after a meal to avoid wastage of food. And although storing leftovers in the fridge prevents the growth of bacteria, leaving food for too long in the refrigerator can also cause food-related illness.
So, how long should you store your leftover kebabs in the refrigerator? You may wonder.
You can keep leftover kebabs for 3 to 4 days in the fridge. Anything more than that, the risk of food poisoning is greater. You definitely don’t want to suffer stomach aches from eating that 5-day-old kebab.
Even after staying in the fridge for more than 3-4 days, some foods could still be safe, so the 4-day rule doesn’t apply to all foods.
Can You Reheat Kebab?
We all can agree that warm food is pleasant to eat. Even though kebab sometimes contains ingredients that are less appealing when warmed up, the majority of the kebab is best consumed warm. Therefore, reheating it is a good option.
However, when it comes to reheating your kebab, there are a few things to note:
- Reheat the kebab until it’s steaming hot.
- Turn the kebab while reheating to ensure it’s heated evenly. In most cases, while heating food in the microwave, some parts do not heat evenly.
- Serve your reheated kebab immediately.
Most importantly, don’t reheat your leftover kebab more than once.
If you need to reheat your kebab, you can use a microwave, stove, or oven, depending on what’s available for you.
To use the microwave, put the kebab in a microwave-safe bowl and place it in the microwave. Turn on the microwave and allow the kebab to heat evenly.
In case you’re heating the kebab using an oven, wrap it in foil before placing it in the oven. Remember to keep the oven at around 300 F degrees throughout the heating process.
And for the stove, place the kebab on your pan, and let it heat on the stovetop. Toss the kebab around as it heats for proper heating.
Can You Get Food Poisoning From Leftover Kebab?
You can get food poisoning from leftover kebabs if you handle them wrongly.
To avoid food poisoning from your leftover kebab, do the following:
- Follow the two-hour rule, which requires you to refrigerate your kebab within two hours of cooking.
- Eat your refrigerated kebab within four days.
- Reheat your leftover kebab to 165 F when you need to eat it.
- Maintain hygiene while handling your kebab. Your hands and the dish holding the kebab must be clean.
Symptoms of food poisoning may be mild or severe, and they vary depending on the germ you consume.
Here are some common symptoms you can check for if you suspect you’re suffering from food poisoning:
- Vomiting
- Upset stomach
- Nausea
- Headache
- Fever
- Body weakness
- Diarrhea
In most cases, the symptoms start within a few days of consuming the contaminated food, but sometimes they may show up just after a few hours.
You can easily treat food poisoning at home. However, if symptoms persist, you should seek medical assistance immediately.
One thing to keep in mind while dealing with food poisoning is that you need to drink lots of fluids, such as water to prevent dehydration and to avoid caffeine which would cause irritation to the digestive system.
Can You Eat Kebab Cold the Next Day?
Assuming it’s a hot day and you have some leftover kebab. Would it be a good idea to eat your kebab cold?
It would be best to eat your kebab warm to ensure your digestive system works well. When you eat cold food, your digestive system has to do extra ‘work’ to convert the food to body temperature. However, it should be noted that it’s fine to eat your kebab cold.
As long as the kebab has been stored properly, it’s perfectly fine to consume the kebab warm or cold. Somtimes, eating cold food can make you feel strange. If this isn’t something that’s a common problem for you, then go ahead.
Eating cold food may cause the following conditions:
- Gut problems – Consuming cold food could affect your gut, and you’re likely to suffer from bloating, cramps, and puffiness.
- Low body temperature – Taking cold food may lower your body temperature. It’s dangerous when your body is too cold, as blood won’t circulate well.
- Irritated throat – Your throat could be sensitive to cold stuff, and swallowing cold food may lead to irritation, soreness, or pain in the throat. Keep off cold food especially, when you have a cold.
If you frequently feel this when eating cold food it’s advisable to take warm foods. Consuming cold foods from time to time won’t do damage to your body. So don’t be afraid to drink that cold glass of fresh juice on a hot day.
How to Store Leftover Kebab
To keep your leftover kebab fresh and safe for consumption, you must store it well, and the best place to store it is in the refrigerator.
The first thing you need to do while storing your leftover kebab is to transfer it into an airtight container. If the kebab is hot, allow it to cool down before placing it in the refrigerator.
It would help if you were careful not to contaminate your food while storing it. Ensure the storage vessels are clean to avoid introducing harmful bacteria to the food.
While storing your kebab in the refrigerator, always label it to know how long it’s been in the fridge. You’ll probably assume this, but it could save you from food poisoning.
Lastly, ensure your fridge is at the right temperature, between 40 to 45 degrees F, while storing your kebab.
Storing your kebab well keeps it free from contaminants but remember you shouldn’t keep it in the fridge for more than four days.