Lucky you, with leftover cooked turkey! That means you made sure to have enough for everyone to have a great meal (and hopefully some next-day sandwiches) and STILL had extra. Smart. I always plan to make a larger turkey than necessary. There are so many recipes to make with leftover cooked turkey, from split pea soup to hash; it’s a great planned leftover! These are the best ways to freeze turkey to preserve freshness, texture, and flavor.
Cooked turkey freezes very well. You can freeze it in slices, cubes, or whole pieces. You can freeze it in large quantities, or for easier and faster defrosting, freeze it in bags or containers with the amount you think you will need for a particular recipe, like a turkey pot pie.
As the holiday season winds down, many of us are left wondering what to do with the leftover whole cooked turkey from our festive feasts. Freezing is a great option to extend the life of your turkey and avoid food waste. But can you actually freeze an entire cooked turkey? And if so, how do you do it properly?
In this complete guide, I’ll walk through everything you need to know about freezing a whole cooked turkey, from storage times to thawing techniques. Let’s dig in!
Can You Freeze a Whole Turkey?
The short answer is yes, you absolutely can freeze a whole cooked turkey. This is a great way to save those tasty leftovers for future meals instead of having them go bad within a few days
Freezing cooked turkey can keep it safe to eat for many months Just make sure you have enough room in your freezer to accommodate the size of the bird. A large, whole turkey may need a deep freezer or chest freezer to fit properly
While it’s possible to freeze a whole turkey, you may find it easier to break it down into smaller portions or parts before freezing. This allows you to thaw only what you need at a time.
How Long Does Cooked Turkey Last in the Fridge?
Before freezing turkey, proper refrigeration is critical. Cooked turkey that has been stored correctly will last 3-4 days in the fridge.
After cooking, let the turkey rest for 20-30 minutes before carving. Then immediately refrigerate in shallow containers to allow quick cooling. Bacteria multiply rapidly at temperatures above 40°F, so never leave turkey out for over 2 hours after cooking.
For best quality, freeze leftovers within 1-2 days. Turkey kept for the full 3-4 days in the fridge is still fine to freeze but may suffer some loss of moisture and texture.
How to Package Turkey for Freezing
Follow these tips to freeze turkey safely:
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Let turkey cool completely before packaging it for the freezer.
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Remove bones, then slice or dice meat into smaller portions if desired. Pieces like breast, thighs, and drumsticks can be frozen individually.
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Place turkey in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, about 1-2 hours. This prevents clumping when bagged.
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Use heavy-duty freezer bags, freezer wrap, or airtight containers. Squeeze out excess air and seal tightly.
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Label packages with contents, amount, and freeze date.
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Avoid overstuffing bags. Leave room for food to expand as liquids freeze.
Proper packaging helps minimize ice crystals and freezer burn for better turkey texture and taste.
How Long Does Frozen Turkey Last?
Frozen cooked turkey that’s properly stored at 0°F or below can safely last in the freezer for 3-4 months. For best quality, use frozen turkey within 2-3 months.
Turkey kept constantly at 0°F may last up to 6 months frozen before drying out or suffering severe freezer burn. Follow “first in, first out” practices for rotating frozen foods.
Thawing Frozen Turkey
Always thaw turkey safely in the refrigerator, cold water, or microwave:
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Refrigerator (40°F or below): Allow 24 hours per 4-5 lbs. Place turkey in container or bag on bottom shelf.
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Cold Water: Submerge sealed turkey in cold tap water, changing water every 30 minutes. About 30 minutes per pound.
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Microwave: Use the defrost setting based on turkey’s weight. Check often, use microwave-safe dish.
Never thaw turkey at room temperature or in hot water. This allows bacteria to flourish on the outer surfaces before the inner meat thaws.
Once thawed, cook turkey within 1-2 days and avoid refreezing raw turkey to prevent foodborne illness. Thawed turkey can only be safely refrozen if it is still 40°F or colder and has not been left at room temperature. Reheat thoroughly to 165°F.
Tips for Using Frozen Turkey
Beyond sandwiches, get creative with your frozen turkey! Try these ideas:
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Make boneless turkey chili, soup, casseroles, tetrazzini, pot pie, etc.
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Dice for stir fries, omelets, fried rice, fajitas, lettuce wraps.
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Use in pasta dishes, curries, tacos, quesadillas.
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Simmer bones into broth for gravy or soup.
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Mix with mayo, cranberries, and nuts for easy salad.
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Prepare heat-and-eat meals like turkey tetrazzini or turkey pot pie.
With proper freezing and thawing methods, you can enjoy delicious leftover turkey for months after the initial meal. Give these tips a try to make the most of your holiday bird!
How to Freeze Cooked Turkey
- Slice the meat: Slice the meat from the bones. You can dice the meat if you like if you know you are planning to use it in a recipe that calls for cubes of cooked turkey.
- Chill the turkey: Place the turkey on a parchment or foil-covered baking sheet in a single layer. Transfer to the freezer for 1 hour until the turkey is quite chilled and firm. This will allow the slices or cubes to stay separate when you freeze them in a bag or container. Or, tightly wrap whole pieces of turkey in layers of plastic wrap to create a bundle.
- Label: Label a freezer-proof bag or freezer-safe container with the kind of turkey you are freezing (dark meat, sliced, cubed) and the date. Use a permanent marker like a Sharpie.
- Put turkey in container and freeze: Transfer the turkey to the labeled freezer-proof bag or airtight container. If using a bag, press out any excess air. Put the turkey in your freezer and freeze for up to 6 months.
The Best Container to Freeze Leftover Turkey
I like to use freezer-proof zipper top bags when freezing turkey because you can really press out all of the excess air before sealing them. Zipper-top bag packages marked specifically for the freezer are thicker than regular bags and definitely better for freezing. Also, consider reusable freezer-proof bags.
If you want to use a freezer-proof container, that’s fine. You want to make sure the turkey is pretty well packed in, reducing the amount of air in the container, which can cause freezer burn.
If you have a vacuum sealer, this is a great place to use it!
Whatever container you use, definitely make sure to label it with a permanent marker. Write the kind of turkey you are freezing (e.g., breast meat), the date you are freezing it, and if you like, the amount in the container (e.g., 4 cups turkey or 1 pound turkey). This will help you keep track of the time. We don’t want to end up eating leftover turkey from five years ago.
How long can you freeze a fresh turkey for?
FAQ
What is the best way to freeze leftover cooked turkey?
Vacuum packing: Carnes says vacuum packing cooked turkey before popping it into the freezer is the way to go, as this pro move will “sufficiently reduce any …Nov 21, 2024
Can you freeze a fully cooked whole turkey?
Leftover turkey freezes well for up to six months if properly handled, packed and frozen within three days of the original preparation. However, I like to try and use it within three months for best flavor and texture, and to avoid the possibility of freezer burn.
Is it safe to refreeze cooked turkey?
Submerge your wrapped turkey in cold tap water. Change the water every 30 minutes. Cook the turkey immediately after it is thawed. Do not refreeze.
Can you freeze cooked turkey?
Allow cooked turkey to cool completely before packaging for the freezer. Cut turkey off the bone into smaller portions if needed. Pieces like breast meat, legs, and wings can be frozen individually. Place turkey pieces in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, about 1-2 hours. This prevents them sticking together.
Can you freeze a Turkey in a quart sized freezer bag?
Measuring cup — If a quart-sized freezer bag is too large for your needs, you can also freeze the leftover turkey in 1-cup portions. Aluminum foil or plastic wrap — If freezing the turkey in 1-cup portions, I recommend wrapping each portion in foil or plastic wrap before sealing in a larger freezer bag. No related posts.
Can You Refrigerate a cooked turkey?
Leave your cooked turkey to cool before you refrigerate or freeze it. After cooking it in a tray, allow your turkey to cool on a raised griddle or something similar, as this will speed up the process.
How do you store cooked turkey in the freezer?
You have several storage container options when it comes to keeping cooked turkey in your freezer. Lay two or three cooked turkey slices on a sheet of tin foil. Fold the tin foil over the turkey slices. Smooth the foil over the meat to release any air. Don’t crumple the foil in any way, and try to make the package as airtight as possible.
Can you freeze cooked turkey thighs?
Yes, you can freeze cooked turkey thighs. To freeze cooked turkey thighs, follow the same steps as for freezing cooked turkey. it is clear that you can freeze cooked turkey. No related posts.
Can You flash freeze cooked turkey?
If you are using them for a turkey salad sandwich, chopped up with celery, onion, and mayo, then consider flash freezing smaller turkey chunks. To flash freeze cooked turkey, cut it into smaller slices or chunks and spread them out on a baking sheet that has been lined with parchment paper.