You may be wondering how long turkey stays fresh in the fridge and the freezer if you want to see how much longer your extra turkey lasts. Keep reading to learn the basics of how to store turkey for later use.
Turkey is a versatile and healthy poultry option that can be enjoyed year-round. Purchasing turkey on sale and freezing the extra breast meat is a great way to save money. But how long does a turkey breast stay good in the freezer?
In this article, you’ll learn how long a turkey breast keeps at peak quality in the freezer, how to maximize its shelf life, signs of frozen turkey going bad, and the best practices for safe long-term frozen storage.
Frozen Turkey Breast Storage Timelines
Turkey breast can be kept continuously frozen for extended periods of time. However, for peak flavor and texture, adhere to these timeline guidelines:
- Raw turkey breast: 9-12 months
- Cooked turkey breast: 3-4 months
Turkey breast stored consistently at 0°F in the freezer will remain safe to eat beyond these timeframes. But the eating quality deteriorates over longer storage.
Maximizing Shelf Life in the Freezer
Proper handling and storage is key to preserving your frozen turkey breast as long as possible:
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Freeze turkey breast as soon as possible after purchasing Don’t let it linger in the fridge,
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Package turkey in airtight materials like freezer bags or containers, removing excess air This prevents freezer burn.
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Freeze turkey breast in a single layer on a tray until solidly frozen before stacking.
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Label packages with contents and freeze date for easy identification.
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Maintain freezer at 0°F or below. Fluctuating temps degrade quality faster.
Following best practices when initially freezing and storing turkey can extend its shelf life significantly.
How to Tell if Frozen Turkey Breast Has Gone Bad
Though turkey can be kept frozen for long periods of time, it can eventually degrade in quality and become unsafe to eat. Signs that previously frozen turkey breast has gone bad include:
- Unusual dull or gray coloration
- Dry, flaky texture
- Strange, off odors
- Slimy gloss or tacky feel
- Signs of freezer burn like dried out, brown spots
If you notice any of these qualities in turkey that has been frozen for over the recommended times, it’s safest to discard it. Do not taste or attempt to cook turkey that exhibits signs of spoilage.
Tips for Safe Long-Term Storage
Follow these tips for safely freezing and storing turkey breast long-term:
- Maintain freezer at 0°F or below
- Use only high-quality, fresh meat initially
- Freeze raw breast within 1-2 days of purchasing
- Divide breast into smaller portions before freezing
- Use air-tight freezer bags or containers
- Avoid repeated freeze/thaw cycles
Adhering to proper temperatures, storage methods, and handling practices can extend the freezer life of your turkey breast considerably.
The Takeaway
When stored properly at a constant 0°F, turkey breast can technically be kept in the freezer indefinitely. However, for best flavor and texture quality, plan to cook frozen raw turkey breast within 9-12 months and cooked breast within 3-4 months. Following sound freezing and storage methods can help maximize shelf life. But if you notice any odd colors, textures or smells, it’s safest to discard older frozen turkey breast to avoid possible foodborne illness.
Freezing Cooked Turkey and Raw Turkey
If you have enough turkey leftovers to last more than a few days, you might want to freeze it instead of putting it in the fridge. The same goes for raw turkey that you don’t plan to cook right away. The good news is that it’s very easy to store turkey in the freezer, whether it’s cooked or raw.
Using Glad® Press’n Seal®, make a seal around each piece of turkey that won’t let air in. Then, put them in an airtight bag like Glad® FLEXN SEALTM Freezer Quart Bags, making sure to squeeze out any extra air before sealing. Just wrap a whole turkey in several layers of Glad® Clingn SealTM or Glad® Press’n Seal® to freeze it. In both cases, you’ll want to store the turkey in the deepest part of the freezer. Should be kept in the right way, raw turkey pieces can be frozen for up to 9 months, and whole raw turkeys can be frozen for a year. Cooked turkey pieces last in the freezer for 4–6 months.
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It is against USDA rules to thaw a frozen turkey on the counter or in hot water. You should also not leave it at room temperature for more than two hours.
Moving the frozen package from the freezer to a plate and into the fridge is the best way to thaw turkey, whether it’s whole or in pieces. Then, let it thaw slowly. Depending on the size of what you’re thawing, this method can take a full day. If you put raw frozen turkey in the fridge to thaw, it can stay there for one to two days before it needs to be cooked or frozen again.
If you’re in a hurry to thaw your turkey, there’s a faster method you can use. Put the turkey in a bag that won’t let air in, like a Glad® FLEXN SEALTM Food Storage Quart Bag. Then, put it in cold tap water and change the water every 30 minutes so the turkey can continue to thaw. You can also use the microwave to thaw frozen turkey, but you should plan to cook it right away to stop bacteria from growing.
Learn more about how to store meat and how long it will last in the fridge or freezer by reading our tips.
For safe meat preparation, reference the USDA website.
Storing Turkey in the Fridge
Are you not sure how to best store turkey in the fridge? Don’t worry—it’s pretty easy! Simply wrap raw turkey pieces in Glad® Press’n Seal® and put them in a Glad® FLEXN SEALTM Food Storage Quart Bag. In a food storage bag, you can store sliced cold cuts. Before you seal the bag, make sure to squeeze out any extra air. Be sure to wash your hands before and after handling turkey, especially if it’s raw.
Without being touched, raw turkey can stay in the fridge for one to two days, and cold cuts can stay there for up to five days. How long does cooked turkey stay fresh in the fridge? Cooked turkey leftovers will stay fresh in the fridge for three to four days.
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How do you thaw a frozen turkey breast quickly?
FAQ
Is a turkey breast frozen for 2 years still good?
How long can a turkey be frozen before it goes bad?
How long does raw turkey breast last in the freezer?
How long does a frozen butterball turkey breast last in the freezer?
How long can a frozen turkey breast stay in the freezer?
For instance, if the turkey breast was frozen in January, and remained in the store freezer for 3 months before being bought by you in March, you would technically have 9 months remaining to keep in your own home freezer. Please remember that the 12 month guideline is exactly that, a guideline.
How long can you eat frozen turkey breast?
Providing the frozen turkey breast has been stored at a minimum temperature of 0oF, it will still be perfectly safe to eat up to 24 months or longer, although there will be quality and freezer burn issues the longer you keep it.
How long do you cook a frozen turkey breast?
Cooking a frozen turkey breast is pretty simple, but you gotta keep an eye on it to make sure it’s cooked right. The key is making sure it hits a safe internal temperature. You can roast it in the oven or toss it in a slow cooker. Roast for about 2.5 to 3 hours for a 4 to 5-pound turkey breast. Add around 30 minutes for each extra pound.
Can you freeze raw turkey breast?
Label each package with the date. Raw turkey breast will maintain optimal quality frozen for 9-12 months. For better portion control cut breasts into smaller pieces or slices before freezing. Individual slices thaw faster. Use only high-quality, fresh breast meat. Discard any meat that smells off or has discolored spots.
Do frozen turkey breasts need to be thrown away after 12 months?
It does not mean that your frozen turkey breast needs to be thrown away after 12 months, it merely means that the quality of the meat will start to deteriorate after this timeframe, and may not be as succulent and flavorful as when used before the 12 month period.
What happens if you Thaw a frozen turkey breast?
If after thawing your frozen turkey breast you discover that the meat has been affected with freezer burn, all is not lost. As mentioned earlier, freezer burn does not affect the safety of eating the meat, it just reduces the quality of the taste, texture and moistness.