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.
Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and of course – food The star of the show is usually the turkey, which often leaves us with plenty of tasty leftovers But how long will leftover turkey last after the big feast? Here’s a comprehensive guide on storing and enjoying your Thanksgiving turkey leftovers safely.
How to Store Leftover Turkey
Proper storage is key to keeping your leftover turkey fresh and safe to eat Here are some tips
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Refrigerate or freeze leftovers within 2 hours of cooking. Cut turkey off the bone and divide into smaller portions to allow it to cool quickly.
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Store turkey in shallow airtight containers. This prevents drying out and helps maintain quality.
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Refrigerate stuffing separately from turkey and other foods.
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Label containers with date and contents before freezing.
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Use oldest leftovers first. Follow the “FIFO” rule – First In, First Out.
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Do not store stuffing cooked inside the turkey. Only refrigerate stuffing cooked separately.
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Defrost frozen turkey in the refrigerator, not at room temperature to prevent bacterial growth.
Following these guidelines will help keep your leftover turkey safe and delicious.
Shelf Life of Refrigerated Leftover Turkey
How long cooked turkey lasts in the fridge depends on proper storage. Here are general guidelines:
- Whole turkey: 1-2 days
- Turkey pieces/slices: 3-4 days
- Turkey gravy: 1-2 days
- Stuffing: 3-4 days (if cooked separately)
The fridge environment helps slow bacterial growth, but leftovers should be eaten within this timeframe. Be sure to inspect refrigerated turkey before eating – discard any turkey that smells bad or appears slimy.
Freezing and Thawing Leftover Turkey
Freezing is a great way to extend the shelf life of leftover turkey. Here is how long it lasts:
- Frozen turkey: 4-6 months for quality
- Frozen turkey gravy: 2-3 months
- Frozen stuffing: 1 month
For safety, it’s best to eat frozen leftovers within 1 year. Thaw frozen turkey slowly in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. Don’t attempt to thaw turkey at room temperature.
Microwave thawing is an option if you’re in a hurry. Cook thawed turkey immediately rather than refreezing.
Signs Your Turkey Has Spoiled
Watch for these signs that indicate your leftover turkey has gone bad:
- Slimy texture or sticky residue
- Grayish color or mold growth
- Off odors like sourness or rotting
- Drying out of meat and stuffing
Don’t taste food that shows any signs of spoilage. Remember, look, smell, then taste – in that order! When in doubt, throw it out.
Serving and Reheating Leftover Turkey
Enjoy your tasty Thanksgiving leftovers with these serving tips:
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Slice or shred turkey to mix into salads, sandwiches, casseroles, soups.
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Add gravy or broth when reheating to keep turkey moist and juicy.
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Stuff into a pie crust or puff pastry for a turkey pot pie.
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Fry up stuffing patties or waffles for breakfast.
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Make turkey stock from the carcass for soups, stews and gravy.
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Reheat thoroughly to 165°F. Bring sauces like gravy to a full boil.
Be creative and try new ways to enjoy your post-Thanksgiving turkey while it’s still fresh and delicious. With proper storage methods, you can continue feasting on your holiday bird for up to a week after Thanksgiving.
Turkey Storage Timeline
For easy reference, here is a timeline of how long leftover turkey and common Thanksgiving foods last in the fridge and freezer:
In the Fridge:
| Food | Shelf Life |
|---|---|
| Whole turkey | 1-2 days |
| Turkey pieces | 3-4 days |
| Turkey gravy | 1-2 days |
| Stuffing (cooked separately) | 3-4 days |
| Mashed potatoes | 3-5 days |
| Green bean casserole | 3-5 days |
| Pumpkin pie | 3-4 days |
In the Freezer:
| Food | Shelf Life |
|---|---|
| Turkey pieces/slices | 4-6 months |
| Turkey gravy | 2-3 months |
| Broth from turkey carcass | 4-6 months |
| Stuffing | 1 month |
| Mashed potatoes | 1-3 months |
| Pumpkin pie | 2-3 months |
The Takeaway on Leftover Turkey
Follow the storage, thawing, and reheating guidelines provided in this article, and you can safely enjoy delicious leftover turkey for up to a week after Thanksgiving. Refrigeration preserves turkey for 3-4 days, while freezing extends the shelf life for several months. With proper handling, you can continue feasting on your holiday bird while reducing food waste. Get creative with sandwiches, soups, and other turkey recipes to use up every tasty morsel!
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.
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.
How long can you keep Thanksgiving leftovers?
FAQ
Can you eat turkey 5 days after Thanksgiving?
How long do the turkey and trimmings stay safe in the refrigerator or freezer? The answer is simple: leftovers can be kept in the refrigerator for three to four days. This means you have until the Monday after Thanksgiving to eat all those delicious leftovers or place them in the freezer to enjoy later.
Can you eat 7 day old cooked turkey?
How long do leftovers last? According to the FDA Food Code, all perishable foods that are opened or prepared should be thrown out after 7 days, maximum.
Can you eat cooked turkey after 5 days reddit?
It lasts 5-7 days in the fridge and up to 3 months frozen for me with no issues.
Is turkey safe to eat after 7 days?
You can safely eat leftover turkey within 3 to 4 days when stored properly in the refrigerator at or below 40°F (4°C). If you want to keep it longer, you can freeze it for up to 2 to 6 months. Always make sure to reheat the turkey to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) before eating.