Planning ahead for the holidays is always a good idea. But if you’re buying your Thanksgiving turkey early, you might be wondering: how far ahead is too far and how long does a frozen turkey actually last? Sure, checking off ‘mail-order turkey’ from your Thanksgiving timeline will feel extremely satisfying when you do it in the summer or even months in advance, but just be sure you read ahead to find out if your frozen turkey can ever go bad. The answer might just surprise you!
Of course, this information will also come in handy when you have Thanksgiving leftovers. Maybe you made Ree Drummonds roasted Thanksgiving turkey or even air fryer turkey breast—either way, the inevitable extras don’t need to go to waste. Follow our tips on how to freeze a turkey the right way so you can stash it away without the risk of it ever getting freezer burn. Youll be fully stocked to use all those turkey leftovers in no time!
Whether youre storing extra cooked turkey or planning ahead for the big bird, check out our tips for how to thaw a turkey once youre ready to dig in. You might also be interested in our best turkey recipes!
As Thanksgiving and the winter holidays approach, many people stock up on frozen turkeys ahead of time. Freezing a turkey can extend its shelf life, allowing you to buy your turkey well in advance of when you plan to cook it. However, there are some important factors to consider when freezing a turkey, such as proper storage methods and how long a frozen turkey will maintain good quality and flavor. In this article, we’ll explore how long a frozen turkey can be safely stored in the freezer.
Overview of Frozen Turkey Storage
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) states that frozen turkeys that are stored at 0°F or below are safe to eat indefinitely. However, the quality and flavor will start to deteriorate over time. For best quality, the USDA recommends consuming frozen turkey within the following time periods:
- Whole turkey: 1 year
- Turkey pieces: 9 months
- Ground turkey: 3 to 4 months
So while that turkey in the back of your freezer from two holidays ago is still safe to eat, it likely won’t taste as juicy and flavorful as a more recently frozen bird.
Proper Storage and Packaging
To get the longest freezer life and best quality out of your frozen turkey, proper storage is crucial. Here are some tips:
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Place the turkey in the coldest part of the freezer, which is usually the back. The continuous freezing and thawing that can happen in the freezer door will speed up the deterioration of quality.
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Make sure the turkey is tightly wrapped in freezer-safe packaging. Use heavy duty aluminum foil freezer wrap or freezer bags designed for long-term storage. Vacuum sealing is ideal.
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Remove as much air as possible from the packaging before sealing to prevent freezer burn.
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If storing for longer than two months, consider double wrapping the turkey or placing it in a freezer bag in addition to the original packaging.
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Label the packaging with the date the turkey was placed in the freezer. This makes rotating and using older turkeys first easier.
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Once thawed, do not refreeze the turkey unless it was only thawed in the refrigerator and was never left at room temperature for over 2 hours.
Signs of Freezer Burn
With improper packaging, extended freezing time, and temperature fluctuations in the freezer, frozen turkeys can suffer from freezer burn. This causes dehydration and oxidation, altering the turkey’s texture and flavor. Signs of freezer burn include:
- Dry, shriveled patches on the turkey
- Discoloration – often pale, grayish-brown areas
- Ice crystals on the turkey
- Unpleasant odors
The affected areas will become tough and tasteless. You can still safely eat turkey with freezer burn, but you’ll need to cut away the damaged sections. Prevent it by following the proper storage methods above.
Thawing a Frozen Turkey
Allow ample time for your frozen turkey to thaw in the refrigerator before cooking. According to the USDA, you should allow approximately 24 hours for every 4 to 5 pounds of turkey. A 16 lb turkey would require around 4 days in the refrigerator to fully thaw.
To thaw frozen turkey faster, you can submerge it in cold water, allowing 30 minutes per pound and changing the water every 30 minutes. Once thawed, cook the turkey immediately. Do not thaw at room temperature as this allows bacteria to multiply rapidly.
If you find yourself needing to thaw a frozen turkey quickly, you can place it in the microwave on the defrost setting according to your microwave’s instructions. Remove any metal ties and plastic wrap before thawing in the microwave. Cook the turkey immediately after microwaving.
Safety Considerations
Always handle raw turkey carefully to avoid cross contamination with utensils, surfaces, hands, and other foods. Cook turkey to an internal temperature of 165°F as measured using a food thermometer to kill any harmful bacteria.
Store leftovers from turkey properly, carving the bird and refrigerating the meat in shallow containers within 2 hours of cooking. Use leftover turkey within 3 to 4 days and do not freeze again after thawing (only freeze once).
The Bottom Line
A frozen turkey can retain quality in the freezer for up to a year when stored properly at a constant 0°F temperature. Take steps to prevent freezer burn by sealing the turkey in airtight, freezer-safe packaging with as much air removed as possible. Allow enough time to safely thaw your turkey, and follow food safety guidelines when handling and cooking it. With proper freezing and thawing, your frozen turkey will keep well in the freezer for many months, so you can shop well in advance for the holidays.
How to freeze a turkey?
The key to making sure your turkey tastes its best on Thanksgiving day is proper storage, whether thats in the refrigerator or the freezer. If you plan on buying your turkey well in advance, then freezing a turkey (or buying one frozen) might be for you. Here are a few helpful tips for how to freeze a turkey that you should keep in mind:
- Keep your turkey in the original packaging and store in the freezer unopened.
- Be sure to take your frozen turkey home immediately after buying it and place it in the freezer. The USDA says that a frozen turkey thats left thawing on the counter for more than two hours is not safe to eat.
- Never stuff your turkey before freezing it.
- If storing leftover cooked turkey, youll want to carve the turkey off the bone and remove and stuffing from the cavity. Store the turkey in freezer bags or air-tight containers to prevent freezer burn.
How long is a frozen turkey good for?
If youre planning to buy a whole raw bird in advance of the holidays, youre in luck! A frozen turkey can be stored for a pretty long period of time (that is, if you have the room for it!). According to the USDA, a turkey can be kept in the freezer indefinitely, but they recommend cooking it within one year for the best tasting results.
Got leftovers? Those cooked turkey slices can be stored in the freezer for up to six months. That means youll have plenty of time to make leftover turkey shepherds pie!
How long can a turkey stay frozen?
FAQ
Is a 2 year frozen turkey safe to eat?
Eating a turkey that has been frozen for two years is generally considered safe, as long as it has been kept at a consistent temperature of 0°F (-18°C) or lower. Freezing preserves food and prevents the growth of bacteria.
Will a frozen turkey last a year in 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.
How long can you keep a frozen butterball turkey in the freezer?
FROZEN TURKEY
As a rule, you can keep a Frozen Butterball Turkey in its’ original packaging for a minimum 2-year period. The turkey must remain frozen. The packaging must be without tears or holes and the vacuum seal intact.
How do I know if my frozen turkey is still good?
To determine whether frozen meat has gone bad, consider the following signs: Color Changes: Fresh meat is typically red or pink. If it appears brown or gray, it may be a sign of freezer burn, which affects quality but not safety. However, if it has an unusual green or dull color, it may be spoiled.
How long can you keep a frozen turkey in the freezer?
If not, how long can you leave frozen turkey in the freezer? Answer: It is safe to eat a turkey that has been kept in the freezer for a year – or even for several years. As the U.S. Department of Agriculture points out, foods that are kept constantly frozen at 0°F or lower will keep safe indefinitely.
How long does a turkey breast last in the freezer?
Fresh turkeys will keep for a shorter period of time than frozen turkeys. In general, a whole turkey will keep for up to 1 year in the freezer, while a frozen turkey breast will keep for up to 9 months. However, these are just general guidelines, and the actual shelf life of your turkey may vary depending on the factors listed above.
How do you store a frozen turkey?
It was packed nicely in a box and wrapped in a plastic bag inside a paper bag. The turkey was partially frozen and after unboxing was placed in the meat drawer of the refrigerator to rest. On Thanksgiving day, I removed the turkey from the refrigerator three hours before our meal while I prepared all of the side dishes.