How to Tell if a Turkey Has Gone Bad A Complete Guide
As Thanksgiving approaches, many of us are getting ready to cook up a delicious turkey dinner. However, if not stored and handled properly, turkey can quickly go bad. Nothing ruins a holiday meal faster than biting into a rancid piece of meat.
So how can you tell if your turkey has gone bad? Here are the best tips and tricks for determining whether your bird is still safe to eat.
Look for Visual Signs of Spoilage
The most obvious way to identify a spoiled turkey is by examining its appearance Here are some common visual cues that your turkey has gone bad
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Unnatural Colors: Fresh, raw turkey should be pink, tan or pale peach. Cooked turkey is white. If your turkey meat has grayish, greenish or brownish hues, it has likely spoiled.
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Sliminess: Raw turkey skin should feel slightly damp but not overly sticky or slimy. A slimy texture indicates bacterial growth.
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Mold: The development of fuzzy white, yellow, blue or green mold is a sure sign your turkey is no longer edible. Discard it immediately.
Smell for Rancid Odors
Your nose can also detect spoiled turkey. Trust your senses – if it smells bad, it likely is bad. Some common scents of rancid turkey include:
- Rotten eggs or sulfurous odors
- Sour, vinegary smell
- Ammonia-like aroma
- Generally foul, offensive odor
Turkey is especially prone to developing noxious odors when spoiled so don’t ignore any weird smells coming from your bird.
Do a Touch Test
In addition to looking and smelling your turkey, you can also feel for signs of spoilage. Press your fingers gently against the meat. Does it feel excessively sticky or tacky? This indicates bacterial accumulation and spoilage. Fresh turkey should feel smooth and firm to the touch.
Why Does Turkey Go Bad?
Turkey has a relatively short shelf life compared to other meats. Whole turkeys typically only last 1-2 days in the refrigerator before spoiling. There are a few reasons why turkey tends to go bad quickly:
- High moisture content – Bacteria thrive in moist environments.
- Large size – It takes longer to chill large cuts of meat all the way through.
- Processing and shipping time – Fresh turkeys may already be several days old by the time they reach the grocery store, shortening their useful life.
To maximize freshness, it’s best to buy frozen turkey and defrost it in the refrigerator 1-2 days before cooking. Only purchase fresh turkey the day before you plan to cook it.
How to Keep Turkey from Spoiling
Proper storage and handling prevents turkey from prematurely spoiling. Here are some tips:
- Keep the turkey in its original packaging until ready to cook. This prevents drying out.
- Store turkey on the bottom shelf in the back of the refrigerator, farthest from the door. This area maintains the most consistent temperature.
- Make sure refrigerator temperature is set below 40°F.
- Freeze extra turkey right away in air-tight packaging. It will keep for 9-12 months frozen.
- Defrost frozen turkey in the refrigerator 1-2 days before cooking, allowing 4-5 hours per pound.
- Once thawed, cook within 1-2 days.
- Refrigerate cooked turkey for only 3-4 days before discarding.
Can You Eat Turkey That Smells Bad?
No. You should never taste or eat turkey that smells rancid or appears spoiled in any way. Bacteria that cause foodborne illness can survive even after cooking. Don’t take risks with questionable poultry – when in doubt, throw it out.
It’s easy to tell if a turkey has gone bad if you rely on your senses. Look for visual signs of spoilage, sniff for rancid odors, and feel for slimy textures. Discard any turkey that seems suspect. With proper refrigeration and handling, you can keep turkey fresh and delicious for your holiday feast. Trust your instincts – if something seems off with your turkey, don’t risk getting your guests sick. When in doubt, throw it out!
Notable Outbreaks of Food Poisoning From Turkey
Several widespread outbreaks of food poisoning from turkey have occurred in recent years, highlighting the importance of proper handling, storage, and cooking of turkey to prevent the spread of foodborne illnesses:
- In December 2018, Jennie-O Turkey Store Sales Inc. recalled approximately 164,210 pounds of raw ground turkey products due to possible Salmonella contamination. The recall was initiated after the CDC and USDA linked the ground turkey products to a multistate outbreak of Salmonella infections.
- In April 2021, the Food Safety and Inspection Service issued a public health alert for approximately 211,406 pounds of raw ground turkey products linked to a Salmonella Hadar outbreak. The outbreak sickened 28 people across 12 states, resulting in two hospitalizations.
- From November 2017 to March 2019, a Salmonella outbreak linked to raw turkey products sickened 356 people across 42 states, resulting in 132 hospitalizations and one death. The outbreak was traced to several raw turkey products from multiple sources, highlighting the need for comprehensive food safety measures throughout the supply chain.
These outbreaks serve as a reminder that turkey food poisoning can have serious consequences. Proper food safety practices must be followed at every step, from production to consumption.
Bacteria That Can Grow on Turkey
Several types of bacteria can contaminate turkey and cause food poisoning:
- Salmonella – Salmonella is one of the most common causes of food poisoning from poultry, including turkey. Symptoms of Salmonella infection include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps, which typically appear 12–72 hours after consuming contaminated food. In severe cases, Salmonella can lead to hospitalization and even death, particularly in young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.
- Campylobacter – Campylobacter is another bacteria that can cause food poisoning from turkey. Symptoms of Campylobacter infection include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps, which usually appear 2–5 days after consuming contaminated food.
- Clostridium perfringens – Clostridium perfringens is a bacteria that can grow on turkey and other poultry, particularly when the meat is cooked in large quantities and kept at unsafe temperatures. Symptoms of Clostridium perfringens infection include diarrhea and abdominal cramps, which typically appear 8–12 hours after consuming contaminated food.
How to Determine If a Thawed Turkey Has Gone Bad
FAQ
What does turkey look like when it starts to go bad?
Some people I know go longer than that without any issues, however. Signs that the turkey has gone bad: Surface of the meat has discoloration or sliminess Smells off Tastes off (only try to taste a small piece after making sure the turkey looks and smells OK) If it looks, smells, and tastes OK, it is probably fine.
When should you throw away turkey?
As a general guideline, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services recommends eating or freezing turkey and other leftovers within three to four days. For Thanksgiving, that means you should eat or freeze by Monday.
How can you tell if a turkey is safe to eat?
Use a food thermometer to make sure your turkey has reached a safe internal temperature of 165°F. Check by inserting a food thermometer into three places, avoiding bone: thickest part of the breast; where body and thigh join, aiming toward thigh; and where body and wing join, aiming toward wing.
How do you know if ground turkey has gone bad?
Here are some signs that indicate your ground turkey has gone bad. Fresh raw ground turkey doesn’t give off any smell. The meat is likely spoiled if you unwrap the package and smell an unpleasant odor, like a sour scent. Raw turkey meat should be light pink or beige, depending on the type of meat and its fat content.
Does ground turkey go bad?
Despite your efforts in storing the ground turkey properly, the meat may still go bad and deteriorate in quality. Here are some signs that indicate your ground turkey has gone bad. Fresh raw ground turkey doesn’t give off any smell. The meat is likely spoiled if you unwrap the package and smell an unpleasant odor, like a sour scent.
How do you know if a Turkey is Rotten?
You should also smell a rotten turkey when it changes color. Don’t take any chances if it only looks bad without a smell, it’s likely bad. Cooked turkey should be moist, although sometimes dry from overcooking. The breast meat should be white with delicious golden skin. Dark meat should be even more moist than the white.
How do you know if a Turkey is spoiled?
Watch out for these signs of spoiled cooked turkey: Cooked turkey that has gone bad will often smell sour or sickly sweet. If it has a strong, offensive odor, it should be thrown out. Freshly cooked turkey meat should be white or brown, depending on the cut. A grayish hue likely means the turkey is past its prime.
How do you know if turkey meat is bad?
If the meat is mushy or slimy, it is likely bad. * The smell of the meat. Fresh turkey meat should have a mild, slightly sweet smell. If the meat has a strong, unpleasant odor, it is likely bad. * The taste of the meat. Fresh turkey meat should taste mild and slightly sweet. If the meat has a sour or bitter taste, it is likely bad.
What happens if a Turkey goes bad?
When turkey goes bad, it’s usually obvious the moment you open the refrigerator. While that’s convenient, it’s also unfortunate for anyone who happens to be in the room. Spoiled turkey has a strong, foul odor, reminiscent of ammonia or rotten eggs. What’s more, whole turkeys are quite large —usually between 15 and 30 pounds.