You are doing it all wrong. Here’s the right way to store leftovers

Your refrigerator and freezer's temperature settings play a vital role in food preservation. Set your fridge to 40°F or slightly lower, and your freezer to 0°F for optimal storage.

Regularly check the temperature with an appliance thermometer, as built-in thermostats can sometimes be inaccurate. Keeping your fridge and freezer organized also helps maintain consistent temperatures, as overcrowding can impede airflow.

Portioning leftovers before storing them can save time and reduce waste. Divide large quantities of food into meal-sized portions to make reheating more convenient.

This approach not only helps with quick meal prep but also keeps you from reheating more food than you need, which can degrade the quality of leftovers. Portioning also allows for better organization in the fridge or freezer, making it easier to locate what you need.