Ground turkey is a versatile protein that is often used as a healthy alternative to ground beef in a variety of dishes from burgers to tacos to chili. However you use ground turkey, it is important to understand how to store it safely so you can have it available when you need it.
Ground turkey is a healthy, versatile meat that can be used in everything from burgers and tacos to casseroles and chilis. However, proper storage after opening the package is crucial for safety and maximizing shelf life. Follow this comprehensive guide for storing ground turkey in the fridge or freezer.
Freshness Starts with Proper Handling
Once you open a package of ground turkey, it’s important to act quickly Exposure to air causes the meat to oxidize and lose quality rapidly.
-
Transfer the ground turkey to an airtight container or seal it tightly in plastic wrap within 2 hours of opening the package. This prevents air exposure which leads to faster spoilage.
-
Refrigerate it right away, don’t leave it sitting out on the counter. Raw ground turkey can harbor bacteria and must be kept at 40°F or below.
-
Place the container on the bottom shelf in the back of the fridge, where temperatures are coldest
Maximizing Fridge Storage Time
Raw ground turkey will last 1-2 days in the refrigerator. Cooked ground turkey keeps for 3-4 days. Monitor the expiration date on store-bought packages for guidance.
-
Check the meat daily and discard any ground turkey with an off-odor, unusual sticky or slimy texture, or dull, grayish color. This indicates spoilage.
-
To extend fridge life, divide ground turkey into meal-size portions and wrap tightly in plastic wrap before refrigerating. Smaller portions = less air exposure.
-
For cooked ground turkey, store in shallow airtight containers. Divide into smaller amounts so you only reheat what’s needed.
-
Label all containers with contents and date. First In, First Out rotational system helps avoid waste.
Freezing for Maximum Freshness
Freezing is ideal for longer storage and retaining freshness.
-
Portion raw ground turkey into recipe-sized servings. Pack tightly into freezer bags or airtight containers.
-
Press out all air before sealing and wrap additionally with plastic wrap or foil to prevent freezer burn.
-
Label with contents and freeze date. Frozen ground turkey keeps 3-4 months before losing flavor/texture.
-
Thaw frozen ground turkey for 24 hours in the refrigerator before using. Cook immediately after thawing.
-
Cooked ground turkey also freezes well for 2-3 months. Cool before packing into airtight containers.
Safe Defrosting and Handling
Always thaw ground turkey in the refrigerator, never at room temperature or in hot water where bacteria multiply rapidly.
-
Place on a plate or rimmed pan to catch drips as the ground turkey thaws in the fridge.
-
Raw ground turkey should be smooth in texture when thawed. Discard any meat that’s slimy or sticky.
-
Cook thawed ground turkey within 1-2 days for safety and best quality. Do not refreeze raw turkey once it has thawed.
-
Prevent cross-contamination by keeping raw turkey sealed and away from other foods in the fridge & freezer.
-
Always wash hands, counters, utensils in hot soapy water after handling raw turkey.
Know When Ground Turkey Has Spoiled
Rely on your senses when determining if ground turkey has gone bad.
-
Look: Raw turkey should be light pink with white fat specks. Gray, green or yellow discoloration indicates spoilage.
-
Smell: Discard any ground turkey with an unpleasant or sour odor. Fresh turkey has little smell.
-
Texture: If the meat is slimy, sticky or mushy during cooking, do not eat it. Toss it.
-
Taste: Rancid, bitter or “off” flavor is a sign of spoiled turkey. When in doubt, throw it out! Don’t taste meat that looks or smells bad.
Pro Tips
-
Grind your own turkey from whole cuts like breast or thigh for maximum freshness. Frozen turkey parts stay fresher than pre-ground.
-
Mix in a teaspoon of lemon juice per pound before freezing raw ground turkey. The acidity helps inhibit bacteria growth.
-
When freezing larger batches, lay flat in a single layer until hard, then stack. Minimizes freezer burn.
-
Cooked ground turkey freezes better than raw. The texture holds up better after thawing.
Properly storing ground turkey after opening the package takes a little effort but ensures you have fresh, flavorful meat ready when you need it. Follow these fridge and freezer guidelines, watch for signs of spoilage, and your homemade ground turkey dishes will always be delicious!
Thawing Cooked Ground Turkey
My favorite way to thaw ground turkey is in the oven. To do this, wrap your frozen turkey in foil and place on a cookie sheet or casserole dish and put in the oven at 300 degrees. I would check every 20 minutes or so depending on how much you have.
How to Thaw Frozen Ground Turkey?
The three recommended ways for thawing raw turkey are in the refrigerator, submerging in cold water, and in the microwave.
If you have the time, thawing in fridge is my favorite way to thaw raw turkey. I like this method because you don’t lose any quality and all you have to do is place in the fridge and leave it until thawed. Once thawed, it is good in the fridge for 1-2 days.
I usually leave the turkey in the fridge overnight and it is ready to use the next day. However, if you have more than a couple pounds of turkey that you are trying to thaw, I would go by the below USDA guidelines:
- 4 to 12 pounds — 1 to 3 days
- 12 to 16 pounds — 3 to 4 days
- 16 to 20 pounds — 4 to 5 days
- 20 to 24 pounds —5 to 6 days
If you are shorter on time, submerging the turkey in cold water will also get the job done without hurting the quality of your turkey. However, you need to make sure the turkey is tightly wrapped while in the water. While quicker than putting in fridge, it does require a little more work as you need to replace the water every 30 minutes or so until thawed. It also needs to be cooked immediately after thawing. Typically, it takes 30 minutes or so for each pound of turkey. The USDA chart below shows the guidelines for thawing raw turkey in submerged water:
- 4 to 12 pounds — 2 to 6 hours
- 12 to 16 pounds — 6 to 8 hours
- 16 to 20 pounds — 8 to 10 hours
- 20 to 24 pounds — 10 to 12 hours
Microwaving is my least favorite method to thaw turkey because it can make the texture rubbery if not done properly. However, it is the quickest method. Microwaves have a defrost function where you enter the weight and it will automatically set the time required to defrost, asking you to flip halfway through the process. Once defrosted, cook immediately to avoid any bacteria growth.
How To Prep Ground Turkey For Freezing
FAQ
How to save ground turkey after opening?
If you decide to use some of the ground meat one day and want to save the rest to cook the next day, put the remaining portion in an airtight container or wrap it tightly with food-grade plastic wrap and label it with the date of storage.
Is raw ground turkey good after 3 days in fridge?
Raw ground turkey typically lasts in the fridge for 2 to 3 days past its use-by date. It can sometimes be safe to eat after 4 days if it’s tightly sealed and refrigerated, but make sure its still good before using it.
How to store raw turkey after opening?
1. Store raw poultry in the refrigerator (40ºF) 1 or 2 days only before cooking or freezing.
How to store raw meat after opening?
Keep raw meat on a plate covered with plastic wrap or an airtight covering. Raw meat typically stays fresh in the fridge for 1-2 days.
How do you store ground turkey?
To store ground turkey, make sure your refrigerator is at or below a temperature of 40°F. Make sure the ground turkey’s packaging is intact. If the packaging has been damaged, place it into an airtight container. Place the turkey on the bottom shelf in the coldest section of your refrigerator. Raw ground turkey can also be frozen.
What are the health benefits of ground turkey?
Ground turkey has multiple benefits. It is a good source of minerals, and B vitamins, rich in proteins, low in fat and it is lower in calories than common turkey.
How long should a ground turkey sit out before cooking?
When you are ready to cook the ground turkey, defrost it in the fridge overnight or using cold water. Whether it is frozen, cooked, or raw turkey, it should not sit out at room temperature for more than two hours. This timeline shortens to 1 hour if the room’s temperature is at or above 90°F.
How long can you keep cooked ground turkey in the fridge?
Fresh ground meat and cooked ground turkey can be kept in the refrigerator for 3-4 days if stored properly. It can also be kept in the freezer for up to three months. How long cooked ground turkey lasts in the fridge is important to know. How do you know if ground turkey went bad?
How long does ground turkey last if frozen?
Properly stored, it will maintain best quality for about 3 to 4 months, but will remain safe beyond that time. The freezer time shown is for best quality only – ground turkey that has been kept constantly frozen at 0°F will keep safe indefinitely. How long does raw ground turkey last after being frozen and thawed?
Can raw ground turkey be refrigerated?
Unopened raw ground turkey may be kept in its original store packaging when refrigerating; to maximize the shelf life of ground turkey, do not open the package until ready to use. How long can raw ground turkey be left at room temperature?