Turkey is a tasty and healthy protein that’s popular year-round, but especially during the holidays. However, like any meat, raw or cooked turkey can spoil if not stored properly. Eating spoiled turkey can cause food poisoning, so it’s critical to know how to determine if your turkey has gone bad.
In this article we’ll cover all the signs of spoiled turkey proper storage times, reasons turkey goes bad quickly, and tips to keep your turkey fresh. Read on to learn how to tell if your turkey has gone bad!
Signs Your Raw Turkey is Spoiled
Here are the most common indications that raw turkey has spoiled and is unsafe to eat:
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Rancid smell – Raw turkey gives off a very noticeable rotten or “eggy” odor when spoiled. This is caused by bacteria growth.
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Slimy texture – Fresh raw turkey should feel slightly damp but not sticky or slimy A slimy feel likely means spoilage
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Color changes – Raw turkey naturally has a pink/peachy hue. Grey, greenish or brownish colors indicate it’s spoiled.
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Mold growth – Any fuzziness, dots or growth of black, blue, yellow or white mold means the turkey is bad.
Signs Your Cooked Turkey is Spoiled
Cooked turkey also grows harmful bacteria if not stored properly. Watch for these signs:
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Sour odor – Leftover cooked turkey gives off a sour or sickly sweet smell when it spoils.
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Color change – Fresh cooked turkey is brown or white. A grayish tint likely means it’s gone bad.
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Slimy texture – The turkey meat itself may become sticky or slimy in texture when spoiled.
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Mold – As with raw turkey, fuzziness, dots or discolored mold spots mean toss it.
Proper Turkey Storage Times
- Raw turkey from store – 1-2 days max in fridge
- Frozen raw turkey – 1 year in freezer
- Thawed raw turkey – 1-2 days in fridge
- Leftover cooked turkey – 3-4 days in fridge
- Frozen cooked turkey – 4 months in freezer
Why Your Turkey Spoiled Quickly
There are a few reasons why your turkey may have spoiled ahead of the timelines above:
- Purchased past sell-by or use-by date
- Stored at incorrect temperatures
- Turkey wasn’t sealed tightly enough
- Repeated opening of the fridge
- Left in the danger zone temperature too long
Always check dates and storage conditions if your turkey spoils quickly. When in doubt, throw it out!
Tips to Keep Turkey Fresh
Follow these tips for optimal turkey safety and freshness:
- Buy turkey only 1-2 days before cooking
- Immediately store turkey in back of fridge or freezer
- Keep tightly wrapped in original packaging
- Use fridge/freezer thermometers to monitor temps
- Cook oldest turkey first (“First in, first out”)
- Sanitize surfaces/tools after handling raw turkey
- Don’t thaw turkey at room temp or in hot water
- Cook thawed turkey within 1-2 days
- Follow “use-by” dates closely
How to Tell if Raw Turkey is Bad
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Look – Raw turkey should be peachy/pink in color. Grey, green or brown hues mean it’s spoiled.
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Smell – Raw turkey has a very mild odor. A foul, eggy or sulfur-like smell means it’s bad.
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Feel – The texture should be slightly damp but not slippery or slimy. Sliminess indicates spoilage.
If in doubt, throw it out! Don’t risk eating turkey that shows any of these signs.
How to Tell if Cooked Turkey is Bad
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Look – Cooked turkey is tan, white or brown. Grayish color likely means it’s spoiled.
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Smell – Refrigerated cooked turkey has a mild scent. Rancid or sour odor is a red flag.
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Feel – Turkey should be moist but not sticky or slimy. Slimy texture is a clear sign it’s bad.
As with raw turkey, discard cooked turkey at first signs of spoilage. Don’t taste it!
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does unopened raw turkey last in the fridge?
1-2 days past the sell-by date if kept at 40°F or below. Opened raw turkey should be cooked within 1-2 days.
How long is cooked turkey good for in the fridge?
Cooked turkey lasts 3-4 days in the fridge. Slice turkey and refrigerate in shallow airtight containers for optimal freshness.
Can you freeze and re-freeze turkey?
Freezing previously frozen raw turkey is not recommended, as the texture and moisture content will degrade. Cooked turkey can be frozen and re-frozen if used within 2-3 months.
What temperature should you cook turkey to?
Cook whole turkey and turkey pieces to an internal temperature of 165°F as measured in the thickest part of the breast and thigh.
Can you get sick from eating spoiled turkey?
Yes, eating turkey that has spoiled can lead to foodborne illness. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, chills, and abdominal cramps.
Knowing how to tell if your treasured turkey has gone bad is critical for health and safety. Follow these tips to identify spoiled turkey and keep your turkey fresh. When in any doubt, remember – throw it out to stay out of harm’s way!
Tips for Storing Ground Turkey
- 1 Keep ground turkey refrigerated until you cook it. Put raw meat in a plastic container or a sheet pan before setting it in your fridge so the juices and bacteria don’t contaminate any other food.[8] Make sure your fridge is set below 40 °F (4 °C) so bacteria doesn’t form as quickly.[9]
- 2 Thaw frozen turkey in the fridge overnight. If you put your ground turkey in the freezer, take it out the night before and put it in your fridge so the temperature slowly rises. That way, your turkey never goes into the “danger zone,” which are higher temperatures where bacteria grow and cause the meat to spoil.
- If you’re using the ground turkey right away, you can put it in the microwave.
- Chunks of ground turkey smaller than a golf ball will break down and cook through when you heat it up.
- 3 Refrigerate cooked ground turkey within 2 hours of cooking it. Try to put away any leftovers as soon as you’re finished cooking so you don’t risk any spoilage. Keep your ground turkey in airtight containers and label them with the date. Try to finish all your cooked ground turkey within 1–2 days while it’s still fresh and safe to eat.[10]
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Expert Q&ASearch
- Cook ground turkey until it has an internal temperature of 165 °F (74 °C) to kill bacteria that cause foodborne illnesses.[11] If the juices are still pink, keep cooking your turkey until they run clear. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
- Wash your hands after handling raw or spoiled ground turkey so you don’t spread bacteria to other food or kitchen surfaces.[12] Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
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