The holiday season is a time for enjoying delicious home-cooked meals, especially turkey dinners. Once the big meal is over, you’re often left with leftovers, including the tasty turkey drippings from roasting the bird. But how long do leftover turkey drippings last in the fridge before going bad?
As a human writer aiming to provide helpful information in an engaging way, I’ll explain just how long turkey drippings stay fresh and safe to consume or use for making gravy. Read on for a clear answer to this common question.
An Overview of Turkey Drippings
First, let’s look at what exactly turkey drippings are. When you roast a turkey in the oven, the fats and juices will drip down into the bottom of the roasting pan as it cooks This flavorful liquid is full of substances extracted from the turkey, creating an intensely savory concentrated broth
The drippings pick up seasoning from the outside of the turkey and contain proteins and emulsified fats from the meat. All of this combines while roasting to make a rich, decadent liquid. Turkey drippings are often used to make gravy, adding flavor to gravy made from pan drippings.
Proper Storage for Leftover Turkey Drippings
Like other animal fats, turkey drippings need to be stored properly to prevent them from spoiling. Here are some tips on storing leftover turkey drippings:
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Allow drippings to cool completely first You don’t want to put piping hot drippings into the refrigerator
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Use an airtight container. Make sure it has a tight-fitting lid to prevent leaks or spills in the fridge. Glass jars or storage containers work well.
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Refrigerate drippings immediately. Don’t leave them out at room temperature. Refrigeration stops bacteria growth.
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Remove the layer of fat before storing. The fat congeals into a solid layer on top when chilled. Discard this fat cap before refrigerating.
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Use drippings within 3-5 days. For optimal freshness and food safety, use leftover drippings soon.
How Long Are Turkey Drippings Good For?
When stored properly in the refrigerator, leftover turkey drippings can last for 3 to 5 days. I recommend using them within this timeframe for the best flavor and food safety.
Here are some general guidelines on how long turkey drippings last in the fridge:
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1-2 days: Turkey drippings will taste their absolute best and freshest during this time. Use for gravy.
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3-5 days: Turkey drippings are still safe to use but may start losing some flavor. Can still be used to make gravy.
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1 week: Drippings stored this long are past their prime. Discard them instead of risking spoilage.
The exact shelf life depends on storage conditions. Temperatures closer to 40°F will give you more time, while warmer fridges shorten shelf life.
I don’t recommend freezing turkey drippings. The fat separates when thawed, resulting in a watery layer on top. The taste and texture just won’t be the same.
How to Tell If Turkey Drippings Have Gone Bad
Turkey drippings can spoil just like any type of animal fat or broth if left too long in the fridge. Here are signs that your leftover drippings have gone bad and should be discarded:
- Mold growth
- Slimy texture or slippery layer on top
- Rancid or off smell
- Change from amber color to gray, green, or pink tint
Trust your senses. If drippings smell or look unpleasant in any way, play it safe and throw them out. Don’t taste questionable drippings.
Safely Using Leftover Turkey Drippings
Leftover drippings are a great way to makes delicious gravy, but food safety has to be considered too. Here are some tips:
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Simmer gravy made with drippings for at least 10 minutes. This helps kill any bacteria.
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Don’t leave gravy out at room temp for longer than 2 hours. Refrigerate leftovers.
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Reheat gravy thoroughly to 165°F. This makes it safe to eat again.
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Don’t add drippings older than 5 days to gravy. Use newer drippings only.
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Avoid cross-contamination by washing hands, utensils, and surfaces after working with drippings.
Following basic food safety practices helps minimize the risk of foodborne illness when reusing drippings.
Ideas for Using Turkey Drippings
Beyond gravy, here are some creative ways to use up turkey drippings within 3-5 days:
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Cook rice or grains in drippings for added flavor.
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Sauté vegetables like Brussels sprouts in a bit of the fat.
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Make a simple sauce by heating drippings with minced garlic and lemon.
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Mix a spoonful of drippings into your stuffing recipe for extra moisture.
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Add some to soups, stews or chilis for a hit of savory richness.
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Brush on pork chops or fish fillets before baking or grilling.
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Saute onions, mushrooms or shallots in the drippings as a starting point for cooking.
With so many possibilities, you can stretch your post-Thanksgiving drippings into all sorts of tasty dishes.
Storing Drippings Long Term by Freezing
If you want to keep turkey drippings for more than 5 days, some people do freeze them. However, I don’t recommend this method. Here’s why:
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Thawed drippings will separate, with the fat solidifying on top. You’ll need to scrape or skim it off.
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Flavor can deteriorate over a long freezing time. Turkey drippings are best fresh.
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Food safety risks increase with lengthy freezing. Bacteria aren’t killed, only preserved.
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Gravy may be watery or greasy made with frozen drippings. Texture suffers.
Overall, freezing is an unreliable way to save drippings. You’re better off using up fresh drippings within 5 days. Make gravies and sauces to use them up quickly.
The Bottom Line
Leftover turkey drippings add amazing flavor but also spoil fairly quickly. For best safety and taste, use drippings within 3-5 days of refrigerating. Look for signs of spoilage before use. Reheating gravy to 165°F kills bacteria. Consider creative ways to use up drippings besides just gravy. Freeze only as a last resort since freezing changes the texture. Follow these tips to safely enjoy your Thanksgiving drippings while they are still fresh and full of flavor.
How to Store and Reheat Homemade Turkey Gravy
This gravy is so good we wouldn’t be surprised if it disappears in one meal. But if you do end up with leftovers, follow these tips for proper food storage. Put your turkey gravy in the fridge to keep it fresh, or put it in the freezer to keep it for longer.
In the Fridge: After enjoying, allow the gravy to cool slightly before refrigerating any leftovers. You can store in a sealed jar or container to maintain freshness. These delicious gravy drippings can be safely kept in the refrigerator for about 2 days.
Do you want to save some homemade turkey gravy for the next family meal or holiday get-together? Put it in a container that can be sealed well or a plastic bag that can be sealed again and freeze it for up to 4 months.
It can be hard to heat up gravy in the microwave without making it too thick or overcooked, so we suggest heating up your turkey gravy over low heat on the stove instead. Stir it often, and remove it from the heat as soon as the gravy comes to a simmer.
If you added any milk or cream to your homemade turkey gravy, it’s likely to separate when reheated. Instead of tossing your leftovers, make them into your next meal. Other recipes might call for jars of gravy or gravy mix, but you could use leftover turkey gravy instead.
Can You Make Gravy from Drippings Ahead of Time?
We prefer making fresh turkey gravy on the day of the big feast. But if you’re prepping dishes ahead of time, you can make your gravy whenever you roast your meat. Save those drippings, follow this turkey gravy recipe, and then see our storage and reheating tips below.
This turkey gravy can be kept in the fridge for two days or frozen for up to four months. Keep turkey gravy safe by following the storage and food safety instructions. Then you’ll always have a versatile sauce on hand to pour over roasted meats and savory sides!
How to Make Gravy From Turkey Drippings | Turkey Tech Tips
FAQ
How long can I keep turkey drippings in the fridge?
How long are drippings good in the fridge?
How long will turkey fat last in the fridge?
How long can homemade turkey broth last in the fridge?
How long can you keep a Turkey in the fridge?
Use leftovers within 3 to 4 days for best quality. Discard any turkey that smells bad or feels slimy. Avoid overcrowding the refrigerator, which can hinder circulation of cool air. Refrigerate cooked stuffing and gravy separately from turkey. These sides also last 3 to 4 days.
How long does frozen turkey last?
According to the USDA, frozen turkey maintains top quality for 2 to 6 months. For longer storage up to a year, some degradation of texture and flavor will occur. But frozen turkey remains safe indefinitely, provided temperature is consistently 0°F or below. Ideally, freeze any turkey leftovers you won’t use within 3 to 4 days.
How long can you keep Turkey stock in the fridge?
Let the stock cool completely before placing it in airtight containers. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to five days. Use kitchen shears to snip the turkey carcass into manageable pieces. This way, all of the turkey bones will fit in the pot and can be submerged in the water during simmering.
How long does leftover Turkey last in the freezer?
The general consensus is that most food can safely be kept in the freezer indefinitely, but the USDA recommends consuming most frozen foods within two to six months for the best quality, depending on what you’re freezing.
How long can a Sliced turkey last?
Once refrigerated, leftover sliced turkey maintains optimal quality for 3 to 4 days If keeping the whole carved bird, it should be consumed within 1 to 2 days. Cooked turkey can be identified as spoiled if you notice an off smell, sliminess, or mold growth Discard any turkey that exhibits these signs of spoilage.
How long can you leave a cooked turkey out?
Never leave cooked turkey or dishes containing turkey out for more than 2 hours. Toss food left out longer. When reheating turkey, heat thoroughly to 165°F. Bring sauces and gravy to a full boil. Avoid cross-contamination by using separate cutting boards and utensils for raw and cooked turkey.