Instead of falling back on boring leftover sandwiches, reinvent holiday staples into fresh dishes that reduce food waste, stretch budgets and add a little culinary excitement to post-holiday meals.

For starters, it’s important to make sure that food is not left between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit for longer than two hours, as it's within that temperature range that most foodborne-illness-causing bacteria thrive, says Leah Groppo, a clinical dietitian with Stanford Health Care.

Turkey has been the traditional centerpiece for many Thanksgiving Day meals. Most consumers only prepare a turkey once a year. And, without a lot of practice, there are bound to be questions about thawing, preparing and baking the big bird. Each year Butterball hosts a Turkey Talk-Line to guide seasoned and novice cooks through the process.

What do you do with your Thanksgiving food after the holiday ends? Leftovers are a tried and true part of the Thanksgiving experience. Health experts highlight how vital it is to make sure to follow health guidelines when it comes to storing those dishes for later consumption,