Is it really Thanksgiving if you don’t wind up with leftovers? For many of us, that too much is just enough, because the actual best parts of the holiday are the meals that follow the original turkey feast. I’ll be honest and admit that I look forward to my Thanksgiving leftovers sandwich more than the holiday meal itself. But perhaps you’ve faced the remnants of that gorgeous, golden turkey centerpiece and debated the best way to store it, keeping safety (and flavor!) in mind. How long can you actually keep turkey in the fridge? Should some of the meat be frozen right away?
While you’re clearing the table and beginning to wash dishes, thinking about what you’re going to do with all that leftover turkey, here’s what you need to know.
Cooked turkey is a delicious and versatile ingredient that can be used in various dishes like sandwiches, casseroles, soups, and salads. However, like any cooked meat, turkey has a limited shelf life and proper storage is key to food safety. So how long can you actually eat cooked turkey after refrigerating or freezing it? This comprehensive guide provides tips maximize the shelf life of cooked turkey.
Overview of Cooked Turkey Storage
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends consuming cooked turkey within 3 to 4 days if refrigerated properly at 40°F or below. After that time period, the risk of spoilage and bacterial growth increases. Freezing cooked turkey can extend the shelf life to 4 to 6 months for best quality.
Proper storage methods are critical to maintaining turkey safety and quality. Cooked turkey can be stored in the refrigerator for a maximum of 3 to 5 days, but may start deteriorating in texture and flavor after 3 days. Signs of spoiled turkey include an off smell, slimy texture or discolored appearance.
How Long Does Cooked Turkey Last in the Fridge?
According to the USDA and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cooked turkey that has been properly handled and stored in the refrigerator at 40°F or below should be consumed within 3 to 4 days. Here are some turkey fridge life guidelines
- Store cooked turkey in shallow airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking.
- Consume refrigerated leftovers within 3 to 4 days for best quality.
- Cooked turkey keeps a maximum of 4 days in the fridge but may spoil faster.
- Cut turkey into smaller pieces to allow faster cooling in the refrigerator.
- Turkey soup or broth keeps for 3 to 4 days in the fridge.
- Take out portions as needed instead of repeated openings.
The exact fridge life depends on factors like turkey part proper handling and refrigerator temperature. Whole cooked breasts or thighs last longer than wings or sliced meat.
How to Tell If Cooked Turkey Has Gone Bad
It is important to watch for signs of spoiled turkey as it reaches the 3-4 day mark in the refrigerator Here are some ways to identify if cooked turkey has gone bad
Appearance: Turkey turns gray, dried out or slimy.
Smell: Off odors or sour turkey smell indicates spoilage.
Texture: Turkey feels sticky, tacky or slimy.
Mold: Presence of fuzzy mold spots.
Discoloration: Green, blue, red hues appear on turkey.
Cooked turkey that displays any of these characteristics should be discarded immediately. When turkey smells or looks questionable, remember “When in doubt, throw it out” to avoid food poisoning.
Storing Cooked Turkey Safely
Proper storage is key to maintaining fresh cooked turkey and extending shelf life. Here are some turkey storage tips:
- Remove stuffing and store it separately.
- Cut whole turkey into smaller pieces to refrigerate or freeze.
- Refrigerate in shallow containers instead of deep containers.
- Place turkey in airtight storage containers or resealable bags.
- Store turkey on lower refrigerator shelves at 40°F or below.
- Avoid overcrowding the refrigerator to allow air flow.
- Use turkey within 2 hours of cooking if not storing immediately.
- Freeze any turkey that won’t be eaten in 3-4 days.
Separating white and dark turkey meat or cutting up the pieces allows for quick chilling.
Freezing Leftover Cooked Turkey
Freezing is an excellent way to preserve cooked turkey for longer periods. Here are some turkey freezing guidelines:
- Allow cooked turkey to cool at room temperature for 30 minutes before freezing.
- Portion turkey into airtight freezer bags or containers, removing excess air.
- Avoid freezing large turkey pieces or whole birds for best quality.
- Use freezer bags, plastic wrap and aluminum foil to wrap turkey pieces.
- Add broth or gravy to turkey to prevent freezer burn.
- Label bags with contents, amount and freeze date.
- Freeze turkey for 4 to 6 months for best flavor and texture.
Frozen turkey maintains quality and nutrition better compared to refrigerating for over a week.
Turkey Refrigerator Shelf Life Summary
To summarize proper storage and shelf life:
- Refrigerate cooked turkey at 40°F or below promptly after cooking.
- Use refrigerated turkey within 3 to 4 days for best flavor and freshness.
- Monitor turkey for signs of spoilage as it nears 4 days in the fridge.
- Freeze any uneaten turkey after 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator.
- Frozen turkey keeps for 4 to 6 months in the freezer before quality loss.
Following these simple guidelines helps you enjoy delicious cooked turkey safely. Be sure to label storage containers with dates and contents for easy tracking. With proper refrigeration methods, cooked turkey can retain great taste for 3 to 4 days after cooking.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can I keep cooked turkey in the fridge?
Cooked turkey can be kept in the fridge safely for 3 to 4 days when stored at 40°F or below. After 4 days, the risk of spoilage increases. For best quality, try to consume the turkey within 3 days and look for any signs of spoilage as it approaches day 4.
What are signs that cooked turkey has gone bad?
Signs that cooked turkey has spoiled include an off smell, slimy texture, gray color, dried out appearance, mold growth, and odd colors like green, blue or red. Cooked turkey that seems questionable should be thrown out.
Does cooked turkey freeze well?
Yes, freezing is an excellent way to preserve cooked turkey. Portion the turkey, wrap tightly to prevent freezer burn and freeze for up to 4-6 months. Frozen cooked turkey maintains quality and taste better than refrigerating for a whole week.
How should I store cooked turkey in the fridge?
Store cooked turkey in shallow, airtight containers on lower refrigerator shelves at 40°F or below. Separate stuffing and cut turkey into smaller pieces to allow faster cooling. Avoid overcrowding the fridge and take out portions as needed instead of repeated openings.
Can I eat turkey that’s been frozen for 8 months?
While frozen turkey remains safe to eat for longer, the USDA recommends consuming frozen cooked turkey within 4-6 months for best flavor, texture and quality. Turkey frozen for over 8 months may suffer more deterioration in taste and tenderness.
What happens if I eat spoiled turkey?
Consuming spoiled, undercooked or contaminated turkey can lead to foodborne illness. Potential symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps. Seek medical treatment if food poisoning symptoms persist or worsen. When in doubt, throw it out.
Properly storing leftovers is key to food safety. Following the fridge and freezer storage guidelines for cooked turkey allows you to safely enjoy delicious leftovers for up to a week. Monitor refrigerated turkey carefully for any signs of spoilage and never hesitate to discard questionable turkey. With proper handling, cooked turkey can be a tasty ingredient in various dishes for 3 to 4 days after cooking.
How long does turkey last in the fridge?
With your leftovers sitting in front of you, the first step in smart turkey storage is to think about what you’re going to do with them. Do you have a leftover turkey recipe that you’re already planning to try for Friday dinner? Or would you like to keep that delicious turkey in reserve for sometime down the road? Even though you may be exhausted from a day or two of cooking, entertaining and feasting, it’s still best to deal with your turkey in one way or another as soon as possible.
From a food safety perspective, it’s important to minimize the time your turkey spends in the “Danger Zone,” or between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit. The USDA notes that food has a limit of two hours at room temperature before bacteria growth becomes an issue.
Asking the experts how long cooked turkey keeps in the fridge yields a range of answers. LG’s resident culinary expert Brian Karam recommends capping it at one to two days, but also suggests that “time can be maximized by keeping larger pieces whole and not making them smaller before refrigerating, [as] smaller pieces are more susceptible to air exposure and could hasten spoilage in refrigerator.” Aly Forster of Diestel Family Ranch says “you will want to consume within three to four days.” The USDA’s guidelines state that “Thanksgiving leftovers are safe to eat up to four days in the refrigerator.” At the furthest end of the spectrum, Patrick L. Guzzle, vice president of food science at the National Restaurant Association says that “seven days is the maximum time recommended for cooked foods to be stored in the refrigerator.”
The wide variation in answers largely comes down to the difference between food safety and food quality. Guzzle points out that “Food safety is primarily concerned with harmful microbiological organisms, [and] may veer from what an average consumer might consider for quality (i.e., taste, texture, aroma, etc.)” Fortunately, Forster adds, “We like to say ‘poultry isn’t shy’—one whiff easily lets you know if that meat is still wholesome!” Ultimately, when using leftovers, Forster concludes, you’ll need to use your best judgment to determine how long you feel comfortable within this range. Be sure, she notes, to “inspect the turkey for any signs of spoilage.” Or as I like to say, “When in doubt, throw it out.”
If you’ve only got enough turkey left for a few sandwiches and a batch of turkey jook, keeping your leftover meat in the fridge will be enough. But if you have enough for a couple more full feasts, then you’ll want to think about freezing that turkey for the future.
We’ve still got half a bird!
You’re not alone. Whether you’re buying a frozen Butterball turkey, a heritage bird from your local butcher shop, or a smaller turkey breast, leftovers are almost a given. According to a 2011 USDA study, around 35% of turkey is wasted each year, so understanding how to best store your leftovers goes a long way to reducing the amount of turkey that ends up in landfills and compost heaps. That statistic feels even larger when you learn that the National Turkey Federation reports that 88% of Americans eat turkey on Thanksgiving, and Butterball’s senior brand manager Chad McFadden notes that 79% of consumers surveyed for a 2023 report planned to buy a whole bird. McFadden also says that the most popular Thanksgiving turkey option weighs between 16 and 20 pounds, and the average guest count for the holiday is nine people, with a suggested estimate of 1 to 1.5 pounds of turkey per person. After we do some quick turkey math, this suggests that, generally, households have somewhere between 2.5 and 11 pounds of turkey and turkey bones left after the Thursday Thanksgiving feast. That’s a lot of sandwiches.