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.
Can You Freeze Cooked Turkey Legs? A Detailed Guide
Turkey legs are a delicious and flavorful part of the bird that are perfect for special occasions. But leftovers happen and you may find yourself with extra cooked turkey legs. Freezing is an excellent way to preserve them so you can enjoy turkey legs later. In this detailed guide, we’ll provide tips on proper storage how long they last in the freezer, and more.
Overview of Freezing Turkey LegsFreezing cooked turkey legs allows you to keep them fresh longer and avoid waste When frozen correctly, turkey legs can maintain quality and flavor for up to 3-4 months in the freezer. To freeze properly
- Allow cooked turkey legs to cool completely before freezing.
- Package legs tightly in airtight containers or freezer bags, removing as much air as possible.
- Label with contents and freeze date.
- Store at 0°F or below for optimal freshness.
- Once thawed, consume within 3-4 days.
Following proper freezing guidelines will help retain moisture, texture, and taste of the turkey legs once thawed.
Step-by-Step Guide to Freezing Turkey Legs
Follow these simple steps for freezing cooked turkey legs:
Cool Completely
It’s important to let cooked turkey legs cool to room temperature before freezing. This usually takes about 20-30 minutes. Cooling stops the cooking process which helps maintain quality.
Package Airtight
Place cooled turkey legs in air-tight containers like freezer-safe plastic bags or storage containers. Squeeze out excess air before sealing to prevent freezer burn. Hard frozen turkey legs don’t freezer burn as quickly.
Label Properly
Label packages with contents and freeze date so you know what it is and when you froze it. Store similar food items together and use oldest first for best quality.
Freeze at 0°F
Store packages in coldest part of freezer, at 0°F or below. Constant temperature is important for safe freezing. Avoid opening the freezer frequently so temperature remains stable.
Thaw in Refrigerator
Thaw frozen turkey legs overnight in the refrigerator. Cold temperatures preserve quality better than room temp thawing. Cook within 3-4 days for food safety.
Following these basic steps will ensure your turkey legs retain optimum flavor, juiciness and texture when frozen.
Storage Times for Frozen Turkey Legs
How long turkey legs last frozen depends on storage temperature and packaging. Proper freezing and storage makes the following freezer times possible:
- At 0°F or below – 3 to 4 months quality. Up to 9 months safe but quality declines.
- At -10°F or below – 6 months quality. Up to 12 months safe.
- Vacuum sealed at 0°F – Up to 1 year quality.
We recommend eating frozen turkey legs within 3-6 months for best flavor, texture, and moisture. Monitor your freezer temperature to optimize storage times.
Tips for Freezing Turkey Legs
Follow these tips for best frozen turkey leg quality:
- Chill broth or gravy before freezing turkey legs in liquids. Helps prevent separation.
- Use vacuum sealing or double wrap to protect from freezer burn. Keep frozen until ready to use.
- Portion legs into meal-size amounts before freezing for easier thawing and use.
- Freeze turkey legs without stuffing which can affect texture. Freeze stuffing separately.
- Stack packages in single layers in freezer with air space between to ensure freeze stability.
Proper freezing and thawing are key for retaining the juiciness, tenderness, and flavor of cooked turkey legs. Take steps to maximize quality in the freezer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you freeze cooked turkey legs with the skin on?
Yes, you can freeze turkey legs with the skin on. Make sure the skin is covered by packaging to retain quality and prevent freezer burn.
How do you thaw frozen turkey legs?
Thaw frozen turkey legs by placing packages on a plate in the refrigerator overnight. Microwave defrosting is not recommended. Cook thawed turkey legs within 3-4 days.
Can you refreeze turkey legs?
It is not recommended to refreeze previously frozen turkey legs. Refreezing can increase risk of foodborne illness. Cook thawed turkey legs within 3-4 days.
What happens if you freeze turkey legs too long?
Freezing turkey legs longer than 3-4 months may lead to diminished quality – dried out meat, poor texture, and loss of flavor. However up to 9-12 months is considered safe for consumption.
Can you cook frozen turkey legs?
Yes, you can cook frozen turkey legs without thawing first. Add 50% more cooking time to account for frozen state. Use a meat thermometer to confirm internal temp reaches 165°F.
Enjoy Delicious Turkey Legs!
With proper freezing techniques, you can keep cooked turkey legs fresh for months and enjoy their fabulous flavor anytime. Follow the tips in this guide for packaging, freezing, storage times, and thawing to get the most out of your frozen turkey legs. Thoroughly thawed and reheated, they will taste wonderfully juicy and delicious. Happy freezing!
Smoking and Freezing Turkey Legs
Smoked turkey legs are delicious and freeze well for longer storage. Here are some tips for smoking and freezing turkey legs:
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Brine turkey legs before smoking for added moisture and flavor. Use a simple brine of salt, sugar and aromatics.
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Smoke turkey legs to an internal temperature of 165°F for food safety. This takes 2-3 hours typically.
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Allow smoked turkey legs to cool completely before freezing. Quick chilling helps prevent bacterial growth.
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Package legs tightly in freezer bags or airtight containers, removing air. Hard frozen smoked legs resist freezer burn.
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Label bags with contents and freeze date. Frozen smoked turkey legs keep 3-4 months at 0°F.
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Thaw frozen smoked turkey legs overnight in the fridge before reheating to serve.
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Reheat thawed smoked turkey legs to 165°F. Roast in a 325°F oven or simmer in broth until heated through.
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Don’t refreeze previously frozen smoked turkey legs. Refreezing causes loss of quality.
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Portion smoked legs into single servings before freezing for easy thawing and use.
With proper handling, smoked turkey legs can be frozen and enjoyed for months after smoking. Follow these tips for great results!
Summary
Freezing cooked turkey legs allows you to enjoy their delicious flavor long after the initial meal. With proper cooling, packaging and freezing techniques, turkey legs can retain quality and moisture for 3-4 months in the freezer. Follow the guidelines in this article for ideal storage, thawing and food safety. Smoked turkey legs also freeze very well when handled properly. Frozen turkey legs make it easy to savor dark turkey meat anytime.
How to Freeze Turkey Parts
Before freezing, you will want to carve your turkey. The carcass of a whole turkey will take up way too much room in your freezer and doesn’t lend itself to pulling out of the freezer and reheating in batches as needed. Use the turkey carcass, skin, and any scraps to make turkey stock.
If you have some leftover turkey pieces, such as whole legs, drumsticks, wings, or thighs, that you want to freeze on the bone, just make sure to wrap them very well in plastic wrap. Then, slide them into a freezer-proof zip-top bag, press out any excess air, label the bag, and freeze. I prefer bags for this as it’s easier to press out extra air. But do make sure to wrap them tightly first — and get thicker plastic wrap specially designed for the freezer if you are a regular freezer of food!
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 to Safely Freeze Cooked Meats | 1 Minute Tips | DJ BBQ
FAQ
Can you freeze cooked turkey legs on the bone?
If you have some leftover legs, wings or thighs that you want to freeze on the bone, just make sure to wrap them very well in plastic wrap.
Can you refreeze cooked turkey legs?
Cooked or uncooked turkey can safely be refrozen, as long as you refreeze it within three days of thawing. But, you should only refreeze turkey, if it’s been handled properly at every step along the way… Turkey that has been thawed on the counter or left out for long periods shouldn’t be refrozen.
Can you freeze cooked turkey legs and wings?
You can also freeze any cooked meat. Store the meat in a freeze-safe container or freezer bag, and it will keep for four to six months. After that, the turkey is still safe to eat, but the quality will start to diminish over time.
Can I freeze leftover cooked turkey?
You can freeze cooked turkey, other cooked meat and meals made from previously cooked and frozen meat.Jan 11, 2018
Can you freeze a Turkey?
Place the turkey in a plastic freezer bag, write the date on the bag, and set it in your freezer for up to 9 months. Let the turkey cool in the fridge before packaging it. It’s important to let the turkey cool down completely before placing it in the freezer container or bag to help preserve the taste.
Can turkey bones be frozen?
Leftover cooked turkey legs, wings and other pieces with bones can definitely be frozen. Remove any stuffing first. Tightly wrap bones pieces in plastic wrap, place in freezer bag and seal excluding air. Bones don’t freeze as solidly as meat. Wrapping in plastic before bagging prevents accidental punctures, minimizing freezer burn risk.
How long does a Turkey last in the freezer?
With any soup or casserole recipe, you can add it to the recipe directly from the freezer. Just add a little more cooking time. This turkey will last in the freezer in a sealed container for 3 months. Leftover turkey will last in the refrigerator for 4 days and in the freeze for 3 months. It depends on the recipe.
How long can cooked turkey be frozen?
The United States Department of Agriculture echoes that cooked turkey can be frozen for three to four months, but notes that the meat is technically safe indefinitely, as the time range is merely a guidance for best quality.
Can You refreeze cooked turkey?
It’s safe to refreeze cooked meat that has been safely defrosted in the fridge. However, we wouldn’t recommend freezing cooked turkey more than once because the freezing process alters the moisture content of the meat.
How long does a cooked turkey last in the fridge?
Even if you opt for roasting a turkey leg or just the breast, this can result in more meat than your family can consume in one sitting. You aren’t going to let your hard work (and perfectly good food) go to waste, but cooked turkey does only last three to four days in the fridge. So what should you do with leftover cooked turkey?