From egg casseroles to shared plates, Mother’s Day brunch often includes foods that are prepared in advance and served buffet-style. Planning how foods will be cooked and served safely is an important part of hosting.
Cook Egg Dishes Thoroughly
Egg-based dishes are a staple of Mother’s Day brunch and often served as the main course.
- Quiches, breakfast casseroles, and other egg dishes should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160 degrees F, as measured with a food thermometer.
Using a food thermometer is the only reliable way to know when egg dishes are fully cooked and safe to serve.
Buffet, Not Bacteria
Many Mother’s Day meals are served buffet-style, which means food sits out longer than usual. Bacteria multiply quickly between 40 degrees F and 140 degrees F, a temperature range known as the Danger Zone.
- If food will be out for more than two hours:
- Keep cold foods at a temperature of 40 degrees F or below by nestling in ice.
- Keep hot foods at a temperature of 140 degrees F or above by placing food in a preheated oven, warming trays, chafing dishes or slow cookers.
- Discard perishable foods left out for longer than two hours.
Save Some for Mom
Refrigerate leftovers within two hours of cooking to prevent harmful bacteria from multiplying.
- Store leftovers in shallow containers so they cool quickly.
- Reheat leftovers to 165 degrees F.
- When reheating in the microwave, spread food evenly and cover for even temperature heating. To ensure food is fully reheated, use a food thermometer to check the temperature in several places.
A well-planned brunch lets the host step back and enjoy the moment. Paying attention to food safety from start to finish helps keep Mother’s Day brunch on track from the first dish to the last.
For More Information
Explore resources on the Spring Holiday Food Safety Guide, a one-stop guide to cooking, serving, and storing a safe holiday meal.
Contact the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) or email MPHotline@usda.gov from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.