We love our Thanksgiving leftovers, but food safety experts caution us on food storage best practices to avoid accidental foodborne illness.

In anticipation of Thanksgiving, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is encouraging consumers to practice proper food safety — especially when thawing, prepping and cooking the star of the holiday: turkey.

Here are safe ways to prepare, serve and store your Thanksgiving feast and leftovers, according to a doctor. You’ll be thankful you did.

FILE – A grill-roasted brined turkey is presented on a table in Concord, N.H. Turkey is the center of most Thanksgiving meals, but it’s important to handle raw poultry properly to avoid spreading bacteria that can send your guests home with an unwanted side of food poisoning.

HuffPost spoke with food safety experts on the biggest mistakes people make when preparing and cooking turkey and what to do instead. Not Washing Your Hands . Washing your hands w

As we start cooking all the delicious food for Thanksgiving, it's important to remember food safety tips to ensure a healthy holiday.

From travel to cooking to finishing up decorations, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has tips to help keep you and your family safe on Thanksgiving.

It will take 24 hours for every five pounds of weight for a turkey to thaw in the refrigerator. To thaw in cold water, submerge the bird in its original wrapper in cold tap water, changing the water every 30 minutes.