How Long Can You Safely Eat Turkey After the Sell By Date?
The sell by date on turkey packaging is simply the manufacturer’s estimate of how long the turkey will remain at peak quality and freshness. It does not necessarily mean the turkey will spoil or become unsafe to eat right after that date. But how long exactly is turkey still good for after the sell by date has passed?
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll provide tips on determining if post-date turkey is still safe to eat, proper storage methods to maximize freshness, and give you an answer on just how long turkey is still good for after the sell by date.
Understanding the Sell By Date
The sell by date is not an expiration date or safety date. It serves as a guide for retailers to know how long they can continue displaying turkey for purchase. With proper refrigeration at 40°F or below unopened raw turkey should maintain quality and still taste its best if used a few days past the sell by date.
But remember, the sell by date does not tell you when the turkey will actually spoil or become unsafe You have to rely on your eyes, nose and common sense to determine that
How to Know if Turkey is Still Good After the Sell By Date
To determine if turkey is still fresh and safe to eat after the sell by date, examine:
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Appearance – Does the color look normal with no sliminess or sheen? Discard if you see any mold.
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Smell – Does it smell unpleasant or sulfurous? Fresh turkey has no smell.
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Texture – Is the flesh firm and not sticky or tacky?
If there are no obvious red flags upon inspection, the turkey should be fine for use a few days past the sell by date as long as it was stored properly in the fridge. But it’s always best to cook and consume it as soon as possible for optimal freshness.
Storing Turkey After the Sell By Date
To maximize how long turkey stays fresh after the sell by date, proper storage is crucial. Here are some tips:
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Keep turkey refrigerated at 40°F or below. Cold temperatures slow bacteria growth.
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Wrap raw turkey tightly in plastic wrap or store in a sealed container to prevent contamination.
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Cooked turkey should be refrigerated in shallow, covered containers to allow rapid cooling.
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Use frozen turkey as soon as you can for best quality.
How Long After the Sell By Date is Turkey Still Good?
Assuming proper refrigerator storage at or below 40°F, here is how long turkey is generally still safe after the sell by date:
Raw Whole Turkey – 1 to 2 days past sell by date
Raw Turkey Parts – 1 to 2 days past sell by date
Cooked Turkey – 3 to 4 days past sell by date
Deli-style Lunch Meat – 1 week past sell by date
Frozen Turkey – Several months past sell by date but best when used ASAP
Trust your senses over any timeframes. If it smells bad or looks slimy or green, throw it out! Botulism bacteria can begin growing without noticeable signs. When in doubt, do not eat turkey past the sell by date.
Safety Tips for Consuming Turkey Past Its Sell By Date
To reduce risk of foodborne illness, follow these precautions:
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Do not rely on freezing to make old turkey safe. Use frozen turkey as soon as possible after the sell by date.
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Cook all post-date turkey to an internal temperature of 165°F to kill bacteria. Do not eat raw or undercooked turkey meat.
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Avoid cooking spoiled turkey as harmful toxins can still remain even after cooking.
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Do not taste turkey while thawing or cooking to determine if it’s gone bad. Only use your eyes and nose.
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Discard any post-date turkey that smells, looks or feels slimy. Do not taste it!
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Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours and eat within 3-4 days. Discard any turkey leftovers that have mold or smell bad.
The sell by date is a good starting point, but always defer to your senses. While turkey can be fine beyond the sell by date, heed the signs of spoilage and when in doubt, just throw it out!
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about turkey and the sell by date:
How long can you keep raw turkey in the fridge past the sell by date?
Raw turkey can be kept 1 to 2 days past the sell by date if refrigerated at 40°F or below.
Can I freeze turkey after the sell by date is expired?
It is best to freeze turkey before the sell by date, but turkey can usually be safely frozen within 1-2 days after the sell by date. Portion the turkey so it freezes quickly.
Is deli turkey safe to eat after the sell by date?
Deli and pre-packaged turkey is more perishable. Consume within 5-7 days of the sell by date and don’t keep leftovers more than 3-4 days.
What are some signs turkey has gone bad and should be thrown out?
Signs of spoiled turkey include an unpleasant or sulfurous odor, sticky or tacky feel, and slimy texture or discoloration. Mold or visible bacterial colonies are also indications to discard turkey.
Can I cook and eat turkey that smells a little weird but doesn’t look spoiled?
No, it is not advisable eat turkey that smells off. Odor is a sign of spoilage. Cooked meat can still harbor bacteria. When in doubt, throw it out.
How long can I keep leftover turkey soup past the sell by date?
Leftover turkey soup should be eaten within 4 days and reheated to 165°F before consuming. Discard any turkey soup that smells bad or has mold.
The Bottom Line
While the sell by date is a helpful guideline, always rely on your common sense. Look, smell and if needed, taste a small portion of turkey before using it past the sell by date. If there are any signs of spoilage, do not risk getting sick – when in doubt, throw it out! Follow proper storage methods and the turkey should retain freshness and safety for use several days past that date.
Dates on meat packages – Sell by, use by, freeze by, packaged on, expiration date
Ever wonder why different food has different indicator dates on the package and what they mean?
It can be really confusing to look at an indicator date on a package and see a variety of different terms. If there is a misunderstanding of what the date means, the safety of the food product and those consuming it could be compromised. Michigan State University Extension recommends keeping your refrigerator at the proper temperature, less than 40 degrees Fahrenheit. It is important that continuous refrigerated or frozen storage be used with meat products that are not shelf stable.
Sell by – This creates an easy date for the retailer to know when the product has to be removed from their shelf and disposed of instead of being sold. In general, consumers have one to three days to use that meat product if it is fresh before there would be concern from a safety standpoint. Typically retailers will mark down the price of a product if the sell by date is near. That can create an opportunity for consumers to purchase something that is still acceptable from a safety and quality standpoint at a bargain as long as the consumer goes home and uses the product right away.
Use by/Freeze by – This type of dating system is clearest for the consumer. If it is a fresh product, it needs to be consumed on or before the use by date on the package or frozen if additional storage time is desired. Frozen storage times for meat can vary from one to 12 months depending on the species (chicken, turkey, pork, lamb, beef) from a quality aspect. If the product is frozen and kept frozen, safety does not become an issue.
Packaged on – This type of date is often used on fresh meat but also leaves the most room for confusion or error on behalf of the consumer. Most fresh meat can be stored at refrigerated temperatures for up to three days after packaging in typical meat tray overwrap style or butcher paper wrap packaging. Longer storage time of up to seven days from retail purchase can be used if the product is vacuum packaged with a good seal and the air is removed from the package.
Expiration date – For consumers, expiration dates are very user friendly. Simply, the product needs to be used on or before the expiration date from a safety standpoint. These types of dates are not as common on meat packages but are found with some processed meat products.
Another question that is common relates to processed meat products. Once a processed meat product (ham, hot dog, lunchmeat, etc.) package is opened, the product should be good for up to seven days unless another type of date is on the package and has passed. After the seven days, the product should not be consumed. That means if a package of hot dogs is opened up and a few are prepared and eaten, within seven days the rest of the hot dogs need to be eaten or the remaining ones can be frozen. If you go to the deli and received sliced lunchmeat, eat that within seven days.
Stay on top of dates and acceptable storage times to reduce food waste. But when in doubt, throw it out.
How long is leftover turkey good for in the fridge?
FAQ
Can I eat turkey 5 days after the sell-by date?
Raw Turkey: – Sell-By Date: Generally, raw turkey can be stored in the refrigerator for 1-2 days after the sell-by date if it has been kept at a consistent temperature (below 40°F or 4°C). If frozen, it can be safe indefinitely, but for best quality, use it within 1 year.
How many days after the sell-by date is deli turkey good?
- The sell-by date is the last day a retailer can display a product for sale.
- The best before date is a suggestion for when the product will be at its peak quality.
- It’s best to consume deli meat on or before the best before date.
- If you can’t eat the deli meat within three to five days, you can freeze it in its unopened package.
- Deli-sliced meat and vacuum-sealed lunchmeat can last in the freezer up to one to two months.
- To avoid freezer burn, you can use a Ziplock, plastic wrap, and/or tin foil.
- Eating spoiled food can lead to food poisoning.
How long after the sell-by date is a fresh turkey good?
Storing Fresh Turkey: Fresh turkey should be refrigerated at 35° F to 40° F. The lower temperature is preferred. If you are not confident about the temperature of your refrigerator, cook or freeze the turkey within 4 days of sell-by date.
Is turkey still good after 6 days in fridge?
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.
How long after sell-by date should a Turkey be cooked?
However, the quality of the turkey will start to decline after the sell-by date, so it is best to cook it within a few days of purchase. The sell-by date is determined by the USDA, and it is based on the following factors: The USDA recommends that fresh turkeys be cooked within 1-2 days of purchase.
Does Turkey expire?
But remember, turkey, like a lot of other proteins, usually has a sell by date and not a use by date or expiration date. Because of this distinction, you may safely use it even after the sell by date has lapsed as long as it has not gone bad – read on. How to tell if Turkey is bad, rotten or spoiled?
How long does Turkey last if not stored correctly?
Naturally, if food is not stored correctly, it will not last as long. But keep in mind that, similar to many other proteins, turkey typically has a sell-by date rather than a use-by or expiration date. This distinction allows you to use it safely even after the sell-by date has passed, provided that it hasn’t gone bad.
Can you eat a Turkey after a sell-by date?
The fresh turkey sell-by date is not a safety date, and it does not mean that the turkey is no longer good to eat after that date. However, the quality of the turkey will start to decline after the sell-by date, so it is best to cook it within a few days of purchase.
What is a fresh turkey sell-by date?
The fresh turkey sell-by date is the last day that the turkey can be sold in stores. It is not a safety date, and it does not mean that the turkey is no longer good to eat after that date. However, the quality of the turkey will start to decline after the sell-by date, so it is best to cook it within a few days of purchase.
How long can you keep Turkey after sell by date?
Generally, you can safely keep raw turkey in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 days after the sell by date. Make sure to store it at or below 40°F (4°C) to minimize bacterial growth. 4. Can you freeze turkey past the sell by date? Yes, you can freeze turkey past the sell by date.