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 will be cooking turkey for festive meals. But what do you do with all those leftovers? How long can turkey actually last in the fridge before it goes bad?
I did extensive research on turkey fridge life so you don’t have to. In this complete guide, I’ll share everything I learned about the fridge storage times for raw and cooked turkey.
Let’s dig in!
Overview of Turkey Fridge Life
Here’s a quick summary of how long different types of turkey can be kept refrigerated
- Raw whole turkey: 1-2 days
- Cooked turkey: 3-4 days
- Turkey cold cuts: 5-7 days
The exact storage times can vary based on factors like temperature and packaging. I’ll explain more below.
How Long Does Raw Turkey Last in the Fridge?
Raw whole turkeys can be stored in the fridge for 1-2 days when properly stored. Here are some tips for maximizing the shelf life:
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Keep the turkey in its original airtight packaging or wrap tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. This prevents drying out.
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Place the turkey on a plate or in a container to catch any juices that may drip. This prevents cross-contamination.
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Store the raw turkey on the bottom shelf of the fridge, which is the coldest area. The temperature should be 40°F or below to inhibit bacterial growth.
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Use ground turkey within 1-2 days for best quality. Some experts recommend using it within just 1 day.
Once refrigerated, raw turkey should be cooked within the 1-2 day timeline. Don’t try to refreeze raw turkey after thawing it.
How Long Does Cooked Turkey Last in the Fridge?
Cooked turkey leftovers will keep for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Follow these tips for storing cooked turkey:
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Carve the turkey and refrigerate the meat in shallow containers within 2 hours of cooking. Don’t leave it sitting out.
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Store turkey pieces in larger chunks rather than shredding it. Shredded meat deteriorates faster.
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Keep turkey drippings and gravy separate from the meat. Gravy only lasts 1-2 days.
If you won’t finish the leftovers within 3-4 days, move them to the freezer. Frozen turkey maintains quality for 4-6 months.
How Long Does Deli Turkey Last in the Fridge?
For unopened packages of sliced deli turkey, follow the expiration or sell-by date on the package. These products will typically last 5-7 days past the date if kept at 40°F.
Once opened, an opened pack of lunch meat or deli turkey will last 5-7 days in the refrigerator.
For best quality, try to use the turkey cold cuts within 3-5 days. Discard any deli meat that has an off smell or slimy texture.
How to Tell if Turkey Has Gone Bad
Rely on your senses to determine if turkey has spoiled. Here’s what to look for:
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Smell: Raw turkey has a very mild odor. Discard if it smells sour or has a strong, unpleasant odor. Cooked turkey should smell like the seasoning used. An off smell indicates spoilage.
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Color: Raw turkey is pink, white or grey with a metallic sheen. Green, grey or yellow color means it has gone bad. Cooked turkey also dulls in color as it spoils.
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Texture: Raw poultry should be moist but not slimy. Sliminess indicates bacterial growth. Cooked turkey will become dry, stringy or mushy.
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Expiration dates: Don’t rely just on dates. Use your senses too. But do follow use-by dates.
When in doubt, remember: “When in doubt, throw it out.” Don’t risk eating spoiled turkey.
Turkey Food Safety Tips
Follow these food safety practices when handling raw and cooked turkey:
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Refrigerate or freeze turkey promptly after purchasing. Don’t leave it out.
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Always thaw frozen turkey in the fridge, cold water, or microwave. Never thaw at room temperature.
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Use separate cutting boards and utensils for raw turkey to prevent cross-contamination.
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Cook turkey to an internal temperature of 165°F. Check with a meat thermometer.
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Refrigerate or freeze leftovers within 2 hours of cooking.
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Reheat cooked turkey to 165°F. Bring gravy to a rolling boil.
Following basic food safety helps prevent foodborne illness from turkey storage.
Can You Freeze Turkey Leftovers?
Freezing is a great way to preserve turkey leftovers for longer term storage. Here are some freezing tips:
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Portion turkey into shallow containers or freezer bags. Remove as much air as possible.
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Allow room for expansion so food doesn’t burst.
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Label packages with contents and dates.
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Freeze cooked turkey for 4-6 months and raw turkey for 9-12 months for best quality.
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Thaw frozen turkey in the fridge overnight before using. Don’t refreeze thawed turkey.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can cooked turkey sit out at room temperature?
Cooked turkey should not be left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours. After that point, bacteria can quickly multiply.
Can you freeze and thaw turkey multiple times?
It’s not recommended to freeze and defrost turkey more than once. Each thaw cycle allows bacteria growth.
How can you tell if frozen turkey is still good?
Check for ice crystals. No ice crystals means temperature fluctuations occurred. Also look for freezer burn or oxidation.
What happens if you eat spoiled turkey?
Eating bad turkey can cause food poisoning with vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps. Severe cases may lead to dehydration and hospitalization.
The Bottom Line
Hopefully this guide has helped you better understand how long turkey can be kept refrigerated. Follow the recommended storage times for raw turkey (1-2 days), cooked turkey (3-4 days), and lunchmeat (5-7 days).
Rely on your senses too. Cook turkey thoroughly, refrigerate promptly, and use proper food safety when handling turkey. This will help your leftovers stay fresher for longer!
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.