Your Nose, Knows! Handling leftovers makes all the difference. At the end of a meal, leftovers that get promptly and properly refrigerated, they can still be safe and tasty, past the 3-5 days the USDA suggests. Additionally, reheating or repurposing leftover meat, into a new dish, by cooking to 165°F can eliminate any bacteria of concern that may be there but have not caused spoilage...JJ