How Long Does Ground Turkey Stay Good in the Fridge? The Complete Guide

Ground turkey is a healthy and versatile protein that can be used in everything from quick weeknight dinners to meal-prepped lunches. However, like any raw meat, proper storage is key to keeping ground turkey fresh and safe to eat. Follow this complete guide to learn just how long ground turkey lasts in the fridge and how to maximize its shelf life.

Overview of Ground Turkey’s Refrigerator Life

Here’s a quick overview of how long raw and cooked ground turkey can last refrigerated

• Raw ground turkey: 1 to 2 days
• Cooked ground turkey: 3 to 4 days

The exact shelf life depends on a few factors like the freshness when purchased and how cold your fridge can maintain foods. For optimal safety and quality, it’s best to use or freeze ground turkey within these recommended timeframes.

When properly stored in the freezer ground turkey keeps significantly longer

• Raw ground turkey: 3 to 4 months
• Cooked ground turkey: 2 to 3 months

What Shortens Ground Turkey’s Fridge Life

There are several factors that can shorten the refrigerator shelf life of ground turkey

• High fridge temperature: Ground turkey lasts longer when kept at 40°F or below. Check that your fridge is maintaining this proper temperature.

• Frequent opening of the fridge: This lets warm air enter and causes food temperatures to fluctuate. Limit opening the fridge as much as possible.

• Improper packaging: Re-wrap ground turkey in airtight packaging or storage containers. Exposure to air speeds up spoilage.

• Past sell-by date: Only purchase ground turkey before its sell-by date and use within the recommended timeframe after bringing it home.

• Cross-contamination: Prevent raw meat juices from touching other foods to avoid premature spoilage.

How to Tell When Ground Turkey Has Gone Bad

Rely on your senses to determine if ground turkey has gone bad. Signs of spoilage include:

• Color change: Raw ground turkey should be pink. Gray, green, or yellow hues indicate it has spoiled. Cooked is brown.

• Slimy texture: Fresh ground turkey should be moist but not sticky or slimy.

• Off odors: Raw ground turkey has a mild odor. Rancid, sour or ammonia-like smells mean it has spoiled.

• Mold growth: Any mold on ground turkey is a clear sign it has gone bad. Discard moldy ground turkey immediately.

When in doubt, remember: When in doubt, throw it out! Don’t risk getting sick from questionable ground turkey.

Storing Ground Turkey for Maximum Fridge Life

Follow proper storage methods to get the most fridge life out of ground turkey:

• Store in airtight packaging: Place ground turkey in a sealed container or re-wrap in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to block oxygen exposure.

• Place on a low shelf: The bottom shelf of the fridge is coldest, so store ground turkey there.

• Maintain 40°F or below: Verify your fridge temperature to ensure an optimal environment.

• Use within recommended time: Raw ground turkey keeps 1 to 2 days, cooked keeps 3 to 4 days.

• Separate from other foods: Store raw ground turkey away from ready-to-eat foods to prevent cross-contamination.

Freezing Ground Turkey for Long-Term Storage

Freezing ground turkey locks in freshness for 3 to 4 months (raw) or 2 to 3 months (cooked). Here are some freezing tips:

• Use freezer-safe packaging: Choose bags, containers, or wraps made specifically for the freezer.

• Portion into meal sizes: Freeze in portions you’ll use since you can’t safely refreeze thawed ground turkey.

• Exclude excess air: Remove air before sealing packages to prevent freezer burn.

• Label packages: Note contents and freeze-by date so you know what’s inside and when it expires.

• Thaw safely: Thaw frozen ground turkey in the fridge, cold water, or microwave before cooking. Never thaw at room temperature.

Safe Handling and Cooking of Ground Turkey

Mishandling and undercooking ground turkey increases your risk of foodborne illness. Follow these safety tips:

• Wash hands and surfaces thoroughly before and after handling raw turkey. This prevents cross-contamination.

• Don’t rinse raw turkey. Doing so can splash bacteria onto kitchen surfaces. It’s unnecessary.

• Use a food thermometer to verify ground turkey reaches the safe minimum internal temperature of 165°F.

• Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours of cooking. Letting cooked ground turkey sit at room temperature too long enables dangerous bacteria to grow.

• When in doubt, throw it out. Don’t taste ground turkey that looks or smells questionable. Play it safe and discard it.

Handling and Cooking Thawed Ground Turkey

Once thawed, ground turkey can’t be refrozen safely without cooking it first. Here’s how to handle thawed ground turkey:

• Use within 1 to 2 days: Refrigerate thawed raw ground turkey and use within this timeframe for safety and quality.

• Cook before re-freezing: If you don’t plan to use thawed ground turkey right away, cook it completely then freeze for later use.

• Verify internal temperature: Check that cooked thawed ground turkey reaches 165°F. Reheating cooked turkey to this temperature kills any lurking bacteria.

• Avoid slow thawing: Don’t thaw ground turkey on the counter or in standing water. These methods enable bacterial growth.

• Cook frozen ground turkey thoroughly: You can cook frozen ground turkey straight from the freezer. Just be sure to cook it fully to 165°F internal temperature.

In Summary

To recap, raw ground turkey keeps 1 to 2 days refrigerated, while cooked ground turkey lasts 3 to 4 days in the fridge. For long-term storage, freeze raw ground turkey for 3 to 4 months and cooked for 2 to 3 months.

Monitor ground turkey closely for signs of spoilage, cook it thoroughly, store it properly, and follow food safety best practices. Doing this helps ensure you can safely enjoy all the great benefits of ground turkey while avoiding the risks of foodborne illness.