Versatile and quick-cooking, ground turkey is a staple in our kitchen, whether it’s tossed into a pot of chili, doused in spicy-sweet sauce and made into lettuce wraps or shaped into tender meatballs. The only time we won’t sing its praises? When it’s rotten. But you don’t need a PhD in food science to know how to tell if ground turkey is bad. Relying on a few of your senses (namely, sight, smell and touch) and keeping an eye on how long that pack of poultry has been in the fridge will help ensure your purchase is safe to eat. Here are the four signs to look out for.
Turkey is a versatile and healthy meat that can be enjoyed year-round However, like any meat, turkey is perishable and can go bad if not handled properly. Eating spoiled turkey can cause foodborne illness, so it’s important to know how to check your turkey for freshness
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about determining if your raw or cooked turkey meat is still safe to eat
Signs That Raw Turkey Has Spoiled
Raw turkey that has gone bad will show obvious signs of spoilage. Watch out for these clear indicators:
-
Slimy or sticky texture: Fresh raw turkey should feel moist but not overly sticky or slimy. A slippery, slick texture is a sign bacteria growth has begun.
-
Discoloration: Raw turkey that is still fresh will be pale pink. As it starts to spoil, the color changes to gray, green or brown.
-
Rancid smell: Raw turkey that has gone bad will have a distinct rotten or sulfurous odor. Trust your nose – if it smells bad, it’s spoiled.
-
Mold growth: The formation of black, blue, yellow or white mold spots on raw turkey meat is a tell-tale sign it’s spoiled and needs to be discarded.
Signs Cooked Turkey Has Gone Bad
Cooked turkey can also grow harmful bacteria if not stored properly. Look out for these signs that cooked turkey has spoiled:
-
Sour odor: Leftover turkey will start to smell sour or “off” as it goes bad. Some describe the smell as sickly sweet.
-
Change in color: Cooked turkey meat that is still fresh should be white or brown. A grayish tinge indicates spoilage.
-
Sliminess: The texture of the cooked turkey will become slippery and slimy feeling if it has gone bad.
-
Mold: Mold growth in cooked turkey is a sure sign it’s gone past its prime. Discard any turkey meat with black, blue, green or white mold.
Proper Turkey Storage Times
To prevent turkey from spoiling quickly, it’s important to store it correctly. Here are some general turkey storage guidelines:
-
Raw turkey from grocery store – 1 to 2 days in the fridge
-
Raw turkey from a farm – 7 days in the fridge
-
Frozen raw turkey – 1 year in the freezer
-
Thawed raw turkey – 1 to 2 days in the fridge
-
Cooked turkey – 3 to 4 days in the fridge
-
Frozen cooked turkey – 4 months in the freezer
To maximize freshness, store turkey towards the back of the fridge or bottom of the freezer. Keep temperatures at 40°F or below in the refrigerator and 0°F or below in the freezer.
Reasons Turkey May Spoil Quickly
There are a few common reasons why your turkey may spoil faster than expected:
-
Purchased past sell-by or use-by date
-
Stored at incorrect temperatures
-
Turkey wasn’t tightly wrapped
-
Fridge/freezer was opened frequently
-
Turkey left in the “danger zone” temperature too long
Always check package dates when purchasing turkey. Monitor your refrigerator and freezer temps to ensure proper cooling. Discard any turkey that shows signs of spoilage. Don’t take risks with food safety.
How to Store Turkey for Maximum Freshness
Here are some handy tips for keeping your turkey as fresh as possible:
-
Store turkey on the bottom shelf of the fridge, away from doors
-
Place turkey in a container or bag before refrigerating
-
Rinse raw turkey before refrigeration to remove bacteria
-
Separate raw turkey from other foods in the fridge
-
Use turkeys with earliest sell-by dates first
-
Refrigerate or freeze turkey immediately after purchase
-
Divide large amounts of leftovers into smaller containers
-
Never thaw turkey on the counter or in hot water
-
Use thawed turkey within 1 to 2 days
Following proper storage techniques is crucial for turkey safety. Discard any turkey that has an off smell, texture or appearance. Don’t take risks when it comes to your health.
What to Do if Turkey Smells Funny
Sometimes turkey can develop a funky or sour odor in the fridge that may not necessarily mean it’s spoiled. In these cases, you can try rinsing, marinating or heavy seasoning to mask the smell.
However, if the turkey has a strong rotten, sulfurous odor, it’s best to play it safe and discard it. The smell could be an indicator of pathogenic bacterial growth. Don’t risk getting sick – when in doubt, throw it out.
Can You Cook and Eat Turkey With Sour Smell?
It’s generally not recommended to cook and eat turkey meat that already has a rancid or sour odor. The spoiled smell means bacteria has multiplied to potentially unsafe levels.
Thorough cooking may kill bacteria, but likely won’t eliminate the toxic waste it leaves behind. Consuming this bacteria and associated toxins can still cause food poisoning.
Your safest bet is to discard any foul-smelling turkey meat. The cost of a turkey is relatively small compared to the misery and health risks caused by foodborne illness.
Proper Defrosting to Avoid Spoilage
Improper thawing is another common cause of turkey spoilage. Here are some safe defrosting methods:
-
In the refrigerator: Allow 24 hours for every 4-5 lbs
-
In cold water: Change water every 30 mins until thawed
-
In the microwave: Only if cooking immediately
Never leave turkey to thaw on the counter at room temperature. Doing so allows bacteria to rapidly multiply to dangerous levels.
Defrost turkey in the fridge or cold water for best safety. Cook thawed turkey immediately and don’t refreeze to prevent spoilage.
How Long After Sell-By and Use-By Dates is Turkey Good?
Sell-by and use-by dates can give helpful clues about turkey freshness. Here’s how long turkey is generally safe after these dates:
-
Raw turkey: 1 to 2 days after sell-by date
-
Cooked turkey: 3 to 4 days after use-by date
The use-by date indicates the last day the turkey manufacturer recommends for safety and quality. Stick closely to this date as eating turkey even a few days over the use-by risks foodborne illness.
Can You Freeze Turkey to Extend Life?
Freezing is an excellent way to safely prolong the shelf life of turkey. According to USDA guidelines:
-
Raw turkey meat stays fresh in the freezer for 1 year.
-
Cooked turkey meat will last for 4 months in the freezer.
For best quality, use frozen turkey within these times. Turkey stored for longer periods may suffer some moisture and texture loss but remains safe to eat if kept continuously frozen.
What Temperature Should Turkey Be Cooked To?
Cooking turkey thoroughly is critical for destroying any potential bacteria present. These are the safe turkey cooking temperatures:
-
Whole turkey: 165°F minimum
-
Turkey breast: 165°F
-
Ground turkey: 165°F
Poultry should always be cooked hot and fast to 165°F as measured by a food thermometer. At this temperature, bacteria will be killed and the meat is safe to consume. Never rely on appearance, touch or juices alone to gauge doneness.
Can You Eat Turkey That Turned Brown?
Raw turkey meat that has turned brown or grayish is likely spoiled and should be discarded. However, cooked turkey turning brown is different.
When exposed to air, the proteins in cooked turkey can oxidize and turn brown. This is safe, though unappetizing looking. The oxidation doesn’t indicate spoilage.
Use cooked turkey that’s turned brown within 3 to 4 days. Discard turkey meat if it also has an off smell or slimy texture, which do signal spoilage.
Signs of Spoilage in Canned Turkey
Commercially canned turkey has a shelf life of 2 to 5 years. Signs a canned turkey has spoiled include:
- Bulging can
- Leaking, loose or damaged seal
- Visible mold inside can
- Foul odor upon opening
- Discolored or mushy turkey
Discard canned turkey that shows any of these signs of spoilage. Never taste meat from a compromised can, even if it looks normal. Botulism in cans can be lethal.
Can You Get Sick from Eating Spoiled Turkey?
Eating turkey that has spoiled can definitely make you sick. Spoiled turkey is prone to harbor dangerous bacteria like salmonella, E. coli, staphylococcus aureus, and listeria.
Consuming food contaminated with these pathogens can cause symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, headaches, and body aches. In certain groups, it can even develop into a life-threatening illness.
When unsure if turkey is spoiled, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Don’t risk your health by tasting or eating turkey that seems questionable.
Key Takeaways on Turkey Freshness
Knowing how to determine if turkey has gone bad is important for health and safety. Keep these key tips in mind:
-
Check turkey for foul odors, sliminess, or off-coloring.
-
Follow proper storage times; use 1 to 2 days for raw, 3 to 4 days for cooked.
-
Monitor fridge/freezer temps; 40°F or below in fridge, 0°F for freezer.
-
Look at sell-by and use-by dates, but also rely on senses.
-
Defrost turkey in the refrigerator or cold water only.
-
Cook turkey thoroughly to 165°F minimum internal temperature.
-
When in doubt if turkey is spoiled, play it safe and throw it out.
Following basic food safety practices will keep your turkey tasting delicious and prevent the risks of foodborne illness. Trust your eyes, nose and common sense – if anything seems off with your turkey meat, don’t take chances and discard it.
Step 2: Look for Changes in Color
Fresh, raw ground turkey should have a pink, fleshy color. But as any poultry starts to go bad, it will start to turn an unpleasant shade of gray. If that pink hue starts to look slightly dull then it’s time to use up your ground turkey immediately, and if it has a gray tint (even just a slight one), then it’s time to toss it.
How to Tell If Ground Turkey Is Bad
The USDA recommends cooking (or freezing) raw, ground turkey within one or two days after purchasing or the “sell by” date printed on the package. So if your best-laid plans for Tuesday night turkey burgers were forgotten until Saturday, it’s unfortunately time to say goodbye. And what about frozen ground turkey? The same rules apply, but not until the meat is fully thawed. (And that can take 12 hours, if you do it safely in your refrigerator.)
How to Determine If a Thawed Turkey Has Gone Bad
FAQ
What does bad turkey meat smell like?
-
Sourness:This is the most common descriptor for spoiled turkey, similar to the smell of old milk.
-
Strong and pungent:The smell will be noticeable even from a short distance.
-
Ammonia-like:As bacteria break down the meat, they can produce ammonia which contributes to the foul odor.
-
No fresh meat scent:Fresh turkey should have minimal smell, so any strong odor is a sign of spoilage.
What are the signs of a spoiled turkey?
Some people I know go longer than that without any issues, however. Signs that the turkey has gone bad: Surface of the meat has discoloration or sliminess Smells off Tastes off (only try to taste a small piece after making sure the turkey looks and smells OK) If it looks, smells, and tastes OK, it is probably fine.
What does expired turkey meat look like?
Raw turkey meat should be light pink or beige, depending on the type of meat and its fat content. The meat color becomes dull as time passes, which is normal. However, if the meat has a brown, gray or yellow or green hue, you will want to part ways with it.
How long does it take for turkey meat to go bad?
| Food | Type | Refrigerator [40°F (4°C) or below] |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh poultry | Chicken or turkey, whole | 1 to 2 days |
| Chicken or turkey, pieces | 1 to 2 days | |
| Fin Fish | Fatty Fish (bluefish, catfish, mackerel, mullet, salmon, tuna, etc.) | 1 – 3 Days |
| Lean Fish (cod, flounder, haddock, halibut, sole, etc.) |
How do you know if turkey meat is bad?
If the meat is mushy or slimy, it is likely bad. * The smell of the meat. Fresh turkey meat should have a mild, slightly sweet smell. If the meat has a strong, unpleasant odor, it is likely bad. * The taste of the meat. Fresh turkey meat should taste mild and slightly sweet. If the meat has a sour or bitter taste, it is likely bad.
Why is meat unhealthy for you?
Meat is actually healthy. What can sometimes make its daily consumption inadvisable are those meats or cuts that have a high percentage of fat. However, they are a great source of proteins of high biological value, iron and B complex vitamins.
How do you know if a Turkey is cooked?
Freshly cooked turkey meat should be white or brown, depending on the cut. A grayish hue likely means the turkey is past its prime. The turkey meat itself may become slimy in texture. Any sticky or slimy feeling indicates spoilage. Like raw turkey, cooked turkey can grow mold once it spoils.
How do you know if ground turkey has gone bad?
Here are some signs that indicate your ground turkey has gone bad. Fresh raw ground turkey doesn’t give off any smell. The meat is likely spoiled if you unwrap the package and smell an unpleasant odor, like a sour scent. Raw turkey meat should be light pink or beige, depending on the type of meat and its fat content.
How do you know if a ground turkey is safe to eat?
Ground turkey contains both white and dark meat, so its color can range from light pink to a brownish hue. If it turns gray or green, that’s a sign it’s no longer fresh or safe to eat. Justin Micheal is KitchenSanity’s founder, food writer and editor in chief.
How do you know if a Turkey is spoiled?
Watch out for these signs of spoiled cooked turkey: Cooked turkey that has gone bad will often smell sour or sickly sweet. If it has a strong, offensive odor, it should be thrown out. Freshly cooked turkey meat should be white or brown, depending on the cut. A grayish hue likely means the turkey is past its prime.