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.
As the holidays approach, many of us are planning to cook a fresh turkey. But an important question arises – how long can you safely store fresh turkey in the refrigerator before cooking it?
Knowing the refrigerator life of fresh turkey ensures you serve up a delicious and safe holiday meal Keep reading as I walk you through everything you need to know about fresh turkey refrigerator life
How Long Does Raw Turkey Last in the Fridge?
The shelf life of fresh raw turkey depends on a few factors
- Whole turkey: 1 to 2 days
- Turkey parts: 1 to 2 days
- Ground turkey: 1 to 2 days
- Turkey cold cuts: 3 to 5 days
The USDA recommends using fresh raw turkey within 1-2 days for safety. If you can’t cook your turkey within this timeframe, freeze it. Frozen raw turkey lasts significantly longer:
- Whole turkeys: Up to 1 year
- Turkey pieces/ground: Up to 9 months
What Affects a Turkey’s Fridge Life
How long fresh turkey lasts in the fridge depends on:
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Storage temperature: Keep turkey at 40°F or below. The colder the fridge, the longer it lasts.
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Turkey quality: Higher quality turkeys last longer. Look for plump turkeys with smooth, moist skin and no discoloration.
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Packaging: Turkey in airtight, vacuum-sealed packaging preserves freshness longer. Re-wrap opened turkey tightly.
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Freezer storage: Frozen raw turkey lasts up to a year, prolonging its shelf life.
Signs Your Turkey Has Gone Bad
Check for these signs of spoilage before cooking:
- Slimy or sticky texture
- Grayish or greenish color
- Off odors like spoiled milk or rotten eggs
If you see these, discard the turkey – don’t risk food poisoning.
Cooked Turkey Refrigerator Life
Cooked turkey stored properly in the fridge lasts 3 to 4 days. Follow these tips:
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Carve within 2 hours of cooking, then seal and refrigerate leftovers in airtight, shallow containers.
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Reheat leftovers to 165°F. Discard any turkey after 4 days – don’t risk eating spoiled food.
Storing Leftover Turkey
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Refrigerate for short term storage (3-4 days).
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Freeze leftovers in airtight containers or bags (labeled and dated) for 2 to 6 months.
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Thaw frozen leftovers only in the refrigerator, never at room temperature. Reheat fully before eating.
Freezing Raw Turkey
Freezing preserves raw turkey safely long-term:
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Leave turkey in original airtight packaging if possible. Otherwise, tightly wrap in plastic or foil.
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Portion large birds into usable sizes.
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Follow recommended freezer times:
- Whole turkey: 1 year
- Turkey pieces/ground: 9 months
Thawing Frozen Turkey
Always thaw turkey in the refrigerator:
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Allow 24 hours per 4-5 lbs. A 20 lb turkey needs 4 to 5 days to thaw.
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Thaw in cold water if short on time, changing water every 30 minutes. Cook immediately after thawing.
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Microwave thawing is fastest but can cause uneven cooking. Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer. Cook to 165°F.
The Takeaway
With proper refrigerator storage, fresh raw turkey can safely last 1-2 days before cooking or freezing. Cooked turkey keeps for 3-4 days in the fridge.
Monitor temperature, packaging, and signs of spoilage closely. Freeze turkey for long term storage and thaw it slowly and safely in the fridge.
Following these fresh turkey refrigerator life guidelines helps ensure you serve a delicious, fresh holiday meal that your family and friends will love.
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.
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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.
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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.
How long will a whole turkey keep in a refrigerator?
FAQ
Can I keep a fresh turkey in the fridge for a week?
An uncooked turkey can last in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 days. If you need to store it for a longer period, it’s best to freeze it, where it can last for several months. Always make sure the turkey is stored in its original packaging or wrapped tightly to prevent contamination and maintain freshness.
How far in advance can you buy a fresh turkey?
Fresh turkeys should not be purchased until one or two days before you cook it, unless the manufacturer’s tag has a “Best by” or “Use by” date that indicates the turkey will be okay on the date you plan to cook it. If there is no tag, then purchase a fresh turkey one or two days before you plan to cook it.
Is turkey still good after 7 days in the fridge?
A thawed turkey is only safe to eat within 1-2 days after fully thawing in the fridge. Since yours has been in the fridge for about 9 days, it’s not safe to eat. It’s best to discard it to avoid food poisoning. Just like in Bit life.
How long can fresh wild turkey stay in the fridge?
Storage tips: For immediate use, birds should be stored in the refrigerator at 40 °F or less and used within three days. For long-term storage, the whole cleaned carcass or individual parts may be frozen at 0 °F or lower.
How long does a Turkey last in the fridge?
Raw turkey – whether fresh or frozen and then thawed – can last for up to 2 days inside the fridge once it is fully thawed. The whole raw turkey will last for 1 year, while raw turkey pieces will be good for up to 9 months in the freezer. What temperature should a Turkey be kept in the fridge? A colder temperature can help fresh turkey last longer.
How long does a fresh turkey last?
This is because younger turkeys have less fat and muscle, which means that they are more susceptible to spoilage. Generally speaking, fresh turkey will last for 1-2 days in the refrigerator, or 9-12 months in the freezer. Factors that affect the shelf life of fresh turkey The following factors can affect the shelf life of fresh turkey:
How long can raw turkey be refrigerated?
How Many Days Can Raw Turkey be Refrigerated? According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), raw whole turkeys can be stored in the refrigerator for 1-2 days Raw turkey parts like breasts and drums can be kept for 3-4 days. The fridge temperature should be maintained at 40°F or below to slow bacteria growth.
What temperature should a Turkey be kept in the fridge?
A colder temperature can help fresh turkey last longer. The ideal temperature for storing a fresh turkey in the refrigerator is 40°F (4°C) or below. This temperature is out of the “danger zone” so harmful bacteria responsible for foodborne illness will not multiply rapidly or cause food spoilage.
What factors affect the shelf life of fresh turkey?
The following factors can affect the shelf life of fresh turkey: * Temperature: The ideal temperature for storing fresh turkey is 40 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature of the refrigerator is too warm, the turkey will spoil more quickly. * Moisture: Fresh turkey should be stored in a sealed container to prevent it from drying out.
Can You Refrigerate a Turkey before cooking?
Fresh, raw whole turkeys can be kept refrigerated for 1 to 2 days before cooking. Be sure to check the sell-by date when purchasing and cook within 1-2 days of that date for best quality. Once home, store the turkey in the coldest part of the refrigerator, usually the bottom shelf. Keep the turkey in its original wrapping until ready to cook.