Leftover turkey is a staple after Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. With so much delicious turkey to eat, it’s common to have leftovers. But how long does leftover turkey last in the fridge before it goes bad? Here is a comprehensive guide on how long turkey leftovers stay fresh and safe to eat.
How Long Does Cooked Turkey Last in the Fridge?
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), cooked turkey will stay fresh in the fridge for 3-4 days. This timeframe is for turkey that has been refrigerated within 2 hours after cooking. If the turkey sits out for longer than 2 hours before refrigerating, the timeframe shortens to only 1-2 days.
Here are the USDA recommended time limits for leftover turkey stored in the refrigerator:
| Turkey Type | Refrigerator Time Limit |
|---|---|
| Cooked turkey, refrigerated within 2 hours | 3-4 days |
| Cooked turkey, left out more than 2 hours before refrigerating | 1-2 days |
| Turkey pieces, covered with broth or gravy | 1-2 days |
| Ground turkey | 1-2 days |
As you can see, turkey soaked in broth or gravy doesn’t last as long as drier turkey leftovers. The moisture provides a better environment for bacterial growth. Likewise, ground turkey has a higher surface area exposed to potential contaminants so it also has a shorter shelf life.
How to Tell if Leftover Turkey is Bad
If stored properly in the refrigerator, leftover turkey can last 3-4 days. However, there are signs to look for to know if the turkey has gone bad before the recommended timeframe:
- Sliminess or slipperiness
- Mold growth
- Discoloration or graying of the meat
- Drying out – the turkey looks shriveled or hard
- Sour or off smell
Trust your senses – if the turkey smells, looks or feels bad, throw it out. Don’t risk getting sick from eating spoiled turkey.
Maximizing Fridge Life of Leftover Turkey
To get the most fridge life out of your leftover turkey, follow these tips:
- Refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking. Leaving the turkey out longer than 2 hours gives bacteria time to grow.
- Store turkey in shallow airtight containers. This prevents drying out and contains odors.
- Don’t pack the turkey too tightly. Tight packing restricts air flow.
- Keep the fridge at 40°F or below. Higher temps promote bacteria growth.
- Use turkey within 3-4 days for maximum freshness and food safety.
- Discard turkey that smells bad or looks slimy, dried out or discolored.
Freezing Leftover Turkey
For longer term storage, leftover turkey can be frozen. According to the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service, frozen turkey will last 4-6 months in the freezer.
To freeze leftover turkey:
- Cut turkey off the bone into smaller pieces if desired. Smaller pieces freeze faster.
- Portion turkey into airtight containers, freezer bags or aluminum foil.
- Remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
- Label packages with contents and freeze-by date.
- Freeze immediately at 0°F or below.
For best quality, use frozen turkey within 4-6 months. Frozen turkey that has been continuously kept frozen at 0°F will be safe indefinitely, but the flavor and texture quality will decrease over time.
Thawing Frozen Turkey
Thaw frozen turkey safely using one of these methods:
- Refrigerator: Place frozen turkey on a plate to catch drips. Thaw in the fridge for 24 hours per 5 pounds.
- Cold Water: Place turkey in a leakproof bag and submerge in cold water, changing water every 30 minutes. Cook immediately after thawing.
- Microwave: Follow microwave oven instructions for defrosting. Cook turkey immediately after thawing.
Do not thaw at room temperature or in hot water. This allows bacteria to grow to unsafe levels. Cook thawed turkey immediately and do not refreeze.
How Long Does Turkey Last in the Fridge After Cooking?
The timeframe for how long cooked turkey lasts in the fridge depends on a few factors:
- Refrigeration: Turkey that is refrigerated promptly after cooking lasts 3-4 days. Turkey left out more than 2 hours before refrigerating only lasts 1-2 days.
- Container: Turkey stored in an airtight container keeps longer than turkey loosely wrapped.
- Parts: Whole carved turkey lasts longer than pieces covered in gravy which only last 1-2 days.
For optimal food safety and quality, leftover turkey should be refrigerated in shallow airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking. Use within 3-4 days. Discard any turkey that smells bad or looks slimy or discolored.
Can You Freeze Leftover Cooked Turkey?
Yes, cooked turkey leftovers can be frozen to extend the shelf life. According to the USDA, frozen turkey leftovers will last 4-6 months in the freezer. To freeze leftover turkey:
- Cut turkey off the bone into smaller pieces. Smaller pieces freeze faster.
- Portion turkey into airtight containers or bags, removing as much air as possible.
- Label packages with contents and freeze-by date.
- Freeze at 0°F or below for 4-6 months of storage.
For best quality, flavor and texture, use frozen turkey within 4-6 months. Frozen turkey that has been kept at a constant 0°F is safe to eat indefinitely but the taste and texture will degrade over time.
How Many Days After Thawing Is Turkey Good For?
Previously frozen turkey that has been properly thawed in the refrigerator should be cooked immediately. Do not refreeze raw turkey after thawing. Thawed ground turkey and turkey parts should be used within 1-2 days. Whole thawed turkey lasts 3-4 days.
According to the USDA, thawed turkey can be kept refrigerated for:
- 1-2 days – ground turkey, turkey parts
- 3-4 days – whole turkey
For safety, thaw turkey in the fridge, cold water or microwave until pliable. Do not thaw at room temperature. Cook or refreeze thawed turkey immediately, and discard any turkey with an off smell or slimy texture.
Can You Refreeze Thawed Turkey?
Previously frozen raw turkey can be safely refrozen as long as it was thawed properly in the refrigerator and has not sat at room temperature for longer than 2 hours. However, refreezing will negatively impact the taste and texture.
To safely refreeze turkey:
- Thaw turkey in the refrigerator until no longer frozen but still very cold to the touch.
- Cook turkey immediately after thawing, or refreeze within 2 hours.
- When refreezing, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, foil or freezer bags.
- Use refrozen turkey within 3-4 months for best quality.
Never refreeze turkey that was left out at room temperature unrefrigerated for over 2 hours. At room temperature, bacteria can grow to unsafe levels.
Can You Eat Turkey After It Expires?
Turkey should not be eaten after its sell-by or use-by date has passed. These dates indicate the last day the turkey should be eaten for best quality. After the date has passed, the flavor, texture and nutritional value of the turkey diminishes.
For safety, also discard expired turkey that shows signs of spoilage like:
- Off odors
- Slimy texture
- Discoloration
The exception is frozen turkey. Turkey that has been continuously frozen at 0°F and shows no signs of freezer burn or frost crystallization can be safely eaten after the sell-by or use-by dates. However, the taste and texture will be poorer.
Sell-By vs Use-By vs Best Before
There are different kinds of food date labels, and they indicate different timeframes:
- Sell-by – Last day store should sell turkey for inventory management
- Use-by – Last day turkey will be at peak quality
- Best before – Estimate of when quality becomes diminished
None of these dates indicate food safety. To determine if expired turkey is safe, check the smell, appearance and texture.
Conclusion
Leftover turkey should be refrigerated within 2 hours and lasts 3-4 days in the fridge. For longer storage, freeze turkey for 4-6 months. Thaw frozen turkey safely in the fridge, cold water or microwave. Cook or refreeze thawed turkey right away and don’t eat turkey with an expired date or signs of spoilage.
Following proper storage methods of chilling, freezing, thawing and reheating will help make sure leftover turkey stays fresh and safe to eat.