If you’re looking to extend the life of some turkey you’ve stocked up on, you might be wondering: how long does turkey last in the fridge, and how long does turkey last in the freezer? Read on to learn the basics of storing turkey for later use.
Can You Freeze Fresh Turkey Breast? The Complete Guide
As Thanksgiving and Christmas approach, many of us stock up on fresh turkey breast to prepare our holiday feasts. But what if you buy too much turkey or have leftovers? Can you freeze fresh turkey breast? The short answer is yes, you can safely freeze fresh turkey breast for up to a year.
In this complete guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about freezing fresh turkey breast, from how to properly package it to how long it lasts in the freezer. Following these simple tips will ensure your turkey stays fresh and delicious for months after purchasing.
Why Freeze Fresh Turkey Breast?Freezing fresh turkey breast allows you to
-
Take advantage of sales and buy in bulk. Turkey often goes on sale leading up to the holidays. Stock up and save!
-
Meal prep for quicker weeknight dinners. Thaw just what you need for tacos, casseroles, sandwiches, and more.
-
Reduce food waste, Freeze leftovers or excess turkey from a big holiday meal
-
Preserve freshness longer. Freezing locks in flavor and texture.
How Should You Prepare Fresh Turkey for the Freezer?
Proper packaging is key to successful freezing. Here are some tips:
-
Leave turkey in its original wrap or rewrap tightly in freezer paper or bags. This prevents freezer burn.
-
Package turkey in meal-size portions to thaw only what you need.
-
Remove as much air as possible and seal packages tightly. This minimizes ice crystals.
-
Use shallow containers or bags so turkey freezes quickly.
-
Label packages clearly with contents and freeze date.
-
Freeze immediately after purchasing for optimal freshness.
-
Inspect turkey before freezing. Discard any with foul odors or sliminess.
Following best practices for packaging turkey will maintain quality in the freezer.
How Long Does Fresh Turkey Last in the Freezer?
Frozen properly, fresh raw turkey breast will last 9-12 months in the freezer before quality starts to decline. Cooked turkey breast has a shorter shelf life of only 2-6 months.
For optimal flavor and texture, use frozen fresh turkey within a year and cooked turkey within 6 months. Discard any turkey older than these recommendations.
Can You Refreeze Thawed Turkey?
Previously frozen turkey can be safely refrozen if:
-
It was thawed in the refrigerator properly over 24-48 hours. Never thaw turkey at room temp.
-
It remains cold, below 40°F throughout the thawing process.
-
It was thawed for cooking but not actually cooked.
-
It has been less than 2-3 days since originally thawed.
However, refreezing will cause some loss of moisture and texture. It’s best to cook thawed turkey right away if possible.
What’s the Safest Method to Thaw Frozen Turkey?
Always thaw turkey in the refrigerator, cold water, or microwave. Never leave it out at room temperature.
-
Refrigerator: Thaw breast for 24-48 hours depending on weight. Put on a tray to catch leaks.
-
Cold water: Submerge sealed turkey in cold water, changing water every 30 minutes. About 30 mins per pound.
-
Microwave: Use defrost setting and microwave just until thawed enough to cook. Cook immediately after microwaving.
-
During cooking: Roasting frozen turkey will thaw outer portions first while defrosting inner areas. May take 50% longer cooking time.
Proper thawing preserves texture and prevents bacterial growth.
Tips for Cooking Previously Frozen Turkey
Previously frozen turkey breast requires some special considerations when cooking:
-
Thaw completely before cooking. No frozen parts remaining.
-
Roast frozen turkey at 15-20°F lower initial temperature than fresh.
-
Cook thawed breast immediately after microwaving to prevent bacterial growth.
-
Add broth, sauce or gravy to help keep cooked frozen turkey moist.
-
Cook to 165°F internal temperature, use a meat thermometer to verify doneness.
Follow these tips and your previously frozen turkey breast will turn out juicy, delicious and safe to eat.
Storing Leftover Cooked Turkey from Frozen
Cooked leftover turkey from the freezer should be refrigerated immediately after reheating and eaten within 3-4 days. Re-freeze only if turkey was kept at safe refrigerator temperatures, below 40°F. The quality will decline with each freeze-thaw cycle.
Creative Ways to Use Frozen Turkey Breast
Beyond holiday meals, thawed turkey breast is endlessly versatile. Some delicious options:
-
Fajitas, tacos, quesadillas
-
Turkey pot pie or casseroles
-
Hearty turkey chili
-
Sandwiches with cranberry sauce and stuffing
-
Turkey salad wraps or sandwiches
-
Turkey breakfast hash with veggies
-
Turkey pizza with bbq sauce and red onions
-
Turkey soup with veggies and rice
With proper freezing and thawing techniques, you can enjoy delicious frozen turkey breast for months after purchasing. Follow this complete guide for turkey that stays fresh, flavorful and safe.
fresh turkey breast: 20
freeze/freezing/frozen: 32
thaw/thawing/thawed: 14
refrigerator: 6
cook/cooking/cooked: 13
package/packaging: 5
leftover: 3
safe/safety: 6
defrost: 1
water: 2
microwave: 2
room temperature: 2
Storing Turkey in the Fridge
Unsure of the best process for storing turkey in the fridge? Don’t worry — it’s pretty simple! Raw pieces of turkey can be wrapped in Glad® Press’n Seal®, then stored in an airtight bag like Glad® FLEXN SEAL™ Food Storage Quart Bags. Sliced cold cuts can be stored in a food storage bag, with any extra air squeezed out before it’s sealed. Be sure to wash your hands before and after handling turkey, especially if it’s raw.
If properly stored, raw turkey can last in the fridge for 1–2 days, while cold cuts last up to 5 days. How long does cooked turkey last in the fridge? If you have leftovers that include cooked turkey, you can expect those to last in the refrigerator for 3–4 days.
Your browser does not support the video element.
Freezing Cooked Turkey and Raw Turkey
If you have enough turkey leftovers to last more than a few days, you might want to consider freezing cooked turkey instead of refrigerating it. The same is true if you’re stocked up on raw turkey that you don’t plan to cook right away. Luckily, the process for storing turkey in the freezer — whether it’s cooked or raw — is really simple.
Create an airtight seal around each individual piece of turkey using Glad® Press’n Seal®, then put them into an airtight bag, such as Glad® FLEXN SEAL™ Freezer Quart Bags, making sure to squeeze out any extra air before sealing. If you’re freezing a whole turkey, just wrap your bird in several layers of Glad® Clingn Seal™ or Glad® Press’n Seal®. In both cases, you’ll want to store the turkey in the deepest part of the freezer. When properly stored, raw turkey pieces should stay good in the freezer for up to 9 months, while whole raw turkeys last for a year when frozen. Cooked turkey pieces last in the freezer for 4–6 months.
Your browser does not support the video element.
Per the USDA’s guidelines, you should never thaw frozen turkey on the counter or in hot water, nor should you leave it at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
The best way to thaw turkey (whole or in pieces) is to move the frozen package from the freezer onto a plate and into the fridge, and then let it thaw gradually. Depending on the size of what you’re thawing, this method can take a full day. If raw frozen turkey is thawed in the refrigerator, the defrosted turkey can last in the fridge for 1–2 days before it needs to be cooked or refrozen.
If you’re in a hurry to thaw your turkey, there’s a faster method you can use. Ensure the turkey is in an airtight bag — like Glad® FLEXN SEAL™ Food Storage Quart Bags — then submerge it in cold tap water, changing the water every 30 minutes so it continues to thaw. You can also thaw frozen turkey pieces in the microwave, but if you want to use that method, you should plan to cook it immediately after thawing to prevent bacteria from growing.
You can learn more about how to store meat and how long meat can last in the fridge or freezer with our meat storing tips.
For safe meat preparation, reference the USDA website.
Quick and Safe Thawing of a Frozen Turkey Breast
FAQ
Can you freeze uncooked turkey breast?
The grocery should be the last stop before going home. At home, immediately put turkey products in a refrigerator that maintains 40 °F or below, or freeze at 0 °F or below. Freezer storage times are for best quality. If frozen continuously, turkey products will be safe indefinitely. Hope you feel better soon!
Can you freeze a fresh turkey from the grocery store?
Do not follow the ‘sell by’ date on the label. The ‘sell-by’ date is used by the store and is not a storage recommendation for consumers. For longer storage, freeze a fresh turkey within one to two days of purchase or by the ‘best by’ date on the label. It will stay safe in the freezer indefinitely.
Does freezing a fresh turkey affect taste?
Taste: Frozen turkey may have a slightly different taste due to the freezing process, which can affect flavor compounds. If not properly thawed or cooked, it can also lose some of its flavor. Texture: The freezing process can cause ice crystals to form within the meat, which may affect its texture.
How long can you keep a fresh turkey breast in the refrigerator?
The safe time limit for refrigerating raw poultry is 1-2 days; 3-4 days if it’s cooked.
Can you freeze raw turkey breast?
Freezing raw turkey breast is simple Here are some tips Wrap each breast tightly in plastic wrap or place in a freezer bag, removing as much air as possible. This prevents freezer burn which can dry out the meat. Label each package with the date. Raw turkey breast will maintain optimal quality frozen for 9-12 months.
How long can you keep Turkey Breast in the freezer?
If the turkey breast was fresh when you bought it, then provided you wrapped the meat well, you will have had a full 12 months to store it in your freezer without affecting the quality of the meat too much.
Can you freeze a fresh turkey?
You can successfully freeze a fresh turkey for later use. If you want to store fresh turkey in the freezer, make sure to keep it in its original wrapping or sealed freezer bags. A fresh raw turkey that is promptly frozen will last up to a year. Keep reading as I address the questions you may have about freezing a fresh turkey.
Can You refreeze turkey breast after thawed?
It’s not recommended to refreeze turkey breast once it has been thawed. The texture and flavor may be compromised. 5. Should I Season the Turkey Breast Before Freezing? If you plan to use the turkey breast for a specific recipe, it’s best to season it before freezing.
Can you freeze turkey breast gravy?
Yes, you can freeze turkey breast gravy. Store it in an airtight container or freezer bag and it can last in the freezer for up to 3 months. 9. Can I Freeze marinaded Turkey Breast?
How to cook frozen turkey breast?
Here are a few tips for cooking frozen turkey breast: * Cook the turkey breast until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. This will ensure that the meat is cooked through and safe to eat. * Do not overcook the turkey breast. Overcooked turkey breast will become dry and tough.