can you eat cooked ground turkey after 5 days

Can You Eat Cooked Ground Turkey After 5 Days?

Ground turkey is a popular ingredient for many dishes like chili, pasta sauce, tacos, burgers, and more. It’s a lean, versatile protein that can be incorporated into a variety of healthy recipes. But like any type of cooked meat, leftovers need to be stored properly and consumed within a certain timeframe to prevent spoilage and foodborne illness. So can you safely eat cooked ground turkey after 5 days in the refrigerator?

The short answer is no. Cooked ground turkey should only be kept for 3 to 4 days in the fridge before being thrown out. After 5 days the risk of bacterial growth is too high even if the turkey was stored correctly. Here’s a more detailed look at ground turkey shelf life and safety.

How Long Does Cooked Ground Turkey Last in the Fridge?

According to the USDA, cooked ground turkey will stay fresh in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days after cooking. This window can vary slightly depending on the following factors:

• Storage container Was the cooked turkey stored in an airtight, shallow container that allows for rapid cooling? Proper storage helps maximize shelf life

• Cooking temperature: Did the ground turkey reach the appropriate minimum internal temperature when cooked? 165°F is necessary to destroy bacteria.

• Refrigerator temperature: Is the fridge consistently 40°F or below? Colder temperatures preserve food longer.

• Amount: Smaller portions may keep a day or two longer than large batches. Divide into smaller servings for maximum freshness.

• Preparation method: Minimally handling and properly storing cooked turkey helps maintain quality.

Given ideal refrigeration and storage conditions, 3 to 4 days is widely accepted as the standard shelf life for cooked ground turkey before the onset of spoilage.

Does Cooked Ground Turkey Go Bad After 5 Days?

Yes, cooked ground turkey that has been refrigerated for 5 days or more can potentially go bad or spoil. Signs that cooked ground turkey has gone bad include:

• An off or sour smell.

• Slimy or sticky texture.

• Unnatural colors like gray, green, or black spots.

• Mold growth, either on the surface or deeper in the meat.

• Rancid taste.

These indications of spoilage mean bacteria have multiplied to unsafe levels. Consuming bad turkey can lead to food poisoning, with symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. So it’s not worth taking any risks with cooked ground turkey that is past its prime.

Can You Get Sick from 5-Day Old Cooked Turkey?

Eating turkey that has been refrigerated for 5 or more days does come with an increased risk of foodborne illness. Bacteria like staphylococcus, bacillus, salmonella, and listeria can grow even at refrigerator temperatures. The longer cooked turkey sits, the greater the chances that dangerous pathogens are present.

Reheating old cooked turkey doesn’t necessarily make it safe either if harmful bacteria has already reproduced. While thorough cooking can destroy Salmonella and E. coli, some toxins cannot be removed through heating or reheating. Consuming old turkey is not recommended, especially for young children, the elderly, pregnant women, and those with compromised immune systems most susceptible to severe effects of foodborne illnesses.

Does Freezing Extend Ground Turkey Shelf Life?

Freezing is an excellent way to safely prolong the shelf life of cooked ground turkey. According to USDA guidelines, frozen cooked turkey keeps for 2 to 6 months in the freezer. To freeze, divide turkey into shallow airtight containers leaving 1⁄2 inch headspace, or place in freezer bags removing excess air. This prevents freezer burn which can diminish quality over time.

Once thawed in the refrigerator, cooked turkey should be eaten within 3 to 4 days. Do not refreeze previously frozen turkey. And if the turkey has been in the freezer for over 6 months, it’s best to discard it even if frozen continuously.

Can You Mix Old Turkey with Fresh Turkey?

It’s not recommended to mix cooked turkey that is past its prime with fresh uncooked turkey. First, this essentially “resets” the shelf life, which means spoiled bacteria could still be present but harder to detect. Second, it increases the risk of cross-contamination to the new turkey. Better to use up older cooked turkey as soon as possible, or discard it if it’s been refrigerated over 5 days already.

How to Use Up Leftover Ground Turkey

Luckily, ground turkey is versatile and adapts well into many recipes. Here are some delicious ways to use up refrigerated cooked ground turkey within 3 to 4 days:

• Turkey veggie bowls with rice or quinoa.

• Turkey wraps with veggies and cheese.

• Hearty turkey chili.

• Turkey mushroom soup.

• Pizza topping.

• Fajitas or tacos.

• Stir fry with Asian veggies and sauce.

• Turkey casseroles or pot pies.

• Turkey egg scramble.

• Turkey salad sandwiches.

• Turkey pasta sauce over zucchini noodles.

Be sure to store leftovers in the fridge within 2 hours and reheat to 165°F before serving.

Food Safety Tips for Ground Turkey

Here are some key food safety recommendations when handling and cooking ground turkey:

• Refrigerate or freeze raw turkey within 1 to 2 days of purchasing.

• Thaw frozen turkey in the fridge, not at room temperature to prevent bacterial growth.

• Cook ground turkey within 1 to 2 days of thawing in the refrigerator.

• Use within 3 to 4 days of cooking or freeze for longer storage.

• Divide into shallow, small containers for fast cooling in the fridge.

• Cook ground turkey to a minimum internal temperature of 165°F.

• When reheating, also reheat to 165°F.

• Discard any turkey that smells unpleasant or feels slimy.

Following proper storage methods, cooked ground turkey can stay fresh for 3 to 4 days refrigerated. But after 5 days, it’s best to throw cooked turkey away even if it was stored correctly. With ideal freezing, ground turkey can keep 2 to 6 months. Be diligent about food safety to get the most out of your ground turkey!