How Long Is Leftover Turkey Meat Good For?

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You may be starting to piece together your Thanksgiving dinner menu. But what about the for the next few days that follow?

Leftovers are a tried and true part of the Thanksgiving experience. Health experts highlight how vital it is to make sure to follow health guidelines when it comes to storing those dishes for later consumption, though. The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that foodborne illness causes 48 million illnesses, 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths in the U.S. every year.

“Food safety is such an important topic at Thanksgiving, especially as Americans prepare to cook a large meal for large groups that they don’t often prepare,” Meredith Carothers, MPH, a food safety public affairs specialist for the USDA, tells USA TODAY.

Heres how to make sure youre preserving those leftovers to safely consume for the next few days.

The holidays often leave us with bountiful leftovers especially turkey. While the seasoned roast bird makes for satisfying sandwiches and casseroles improper storage can lead to spoiled, unsafe meat. Follow these food safety guidelines for maximizing how long leftover turkey keeps in the fridge or freezer.

Refrigerator Turkey Storage

To maintain quality and safety leftover turkey meat stored in the refrigerator should be eaten within

  • 3 to 4 days – This is the recommended window by most food safety experts. Wrap or seal the turkey and refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking.

  • No more than one week – The USDA says cooked turkey can last 3 to 4 days in the fridge, but may still be safe up to 7 days with optimal refrigeration below 40°F.

Freezer Turkey Storage

For extended storage, freeze leftover turkey:

  • 2 to 6 months – Frozen turkey maintains optimal taste and texture up to 6 months. Use freezer-safe packaging.

  • Up to 1 year – Frozen turkey remains safe to eat for up to a year, though the quality declines over longer freezing times.

Proper Storage

  • Store turkey in shallow containers or bags that allow it to cool quickly in the fridge or freezer.

  • Use moisture-proof packaging like plastic wrap, foil, freezer bags, or airtight containers. Eliminate air exposure.

  • Portion the turkey into smaller servings to enable quick, even chilling.

  • Label packages with the date and contents. Place new packages towards the back.

  • Maintain a fridge temp of 40°F or below and 0°F in the freezer. Use a thermometer to check.

Signs of Spoilage

Discard leftover turkey if it has an off odor, appearance, or texture:

  • Slimy or sticky texture

  • Graying color

  • Dull or dry appearance

  • Sour or rancid smell

Dangerous bacteria can grow without obvious signs of spoilage. When in doubt, throw it out.

Safely Reheating Turkey

Heat leftover turkey thoroughly to 165°F. Safe reheating methods include:

  • Microwave – Cover dish and rotate for even heating. Allow standing time.

  • Oven – Bake in a covered dish until hot throughout. Use a food thermometer to verify temperature.

  • Stovetop – Cook in a saucepan or skillet, stirring frequently, until fully warmed.

  • Soup or casserole – Cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Bring sauces, gravy and stuffing to a full boil when reheating. Avoid letting turkey sit at room temperature more than 2 hours total. Refrigerate promptly after serving.

Prioritize Leftover Turkey

To avoid waste, plan leftover turkey meals in advance. Cook turkey into soups, salads, sandwiches, wraps or casseroles right away while it’s freshest. Freeze additional cooked turkey for later use within 1-2 months for best quality.

With proper refrigeration and reheating, leftover turkey can be enjoyed safely for up to a week and frozen for months. Follow safe handling practices to make the most of holiday turkey.

  • Leftover turkey: 17
  • Refrigerator: 7
  • Days: 10
  • Frozen/Freezer: 8
  • Cooked turkey: 4
  • Food safety: 3
  • Storage: 5
  • Reheating: 4
  • Spoilage: 3
  • Waste: 1
  • Quality: 4
  • Safely: 3
  • Freezing: 2
  • Fridge: 3
  • Signs: 2
  • Week: 1
  • Months: 3
  • Temperature: 2

how long is leftover turkey meat good for

What to do with leftover turkey

While were all about eating Thanksgiving leftovers as-is the next day, James Beard Award-nominated chef Jerome Grant, along with Thomason, also offers plenty of ideas to make the same foods feel new again. Turkey is “so versatile as a lean protein,” Thomason says, making it the perfect center of myriad recipes, including the ones below:

  • Turkey and vegetable soup or stew: Throw in leftover veggies and herbs into a pot with a stock. Or if youre feeling ambitious, save the turkey carcass and simmer that to make stock from scratch.
  • Turkey tacos with salsa and avocado
  • Turkey sandwiches or wraps with sweet potato and cranberry sauce
  • Turkey pot pie with vegetables, gravy and a flaky pie crust
  • Breakfast hash with turkey and sweet potato
  • Turkey fried rice topped with a fried egg and chili crisp

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How long is leftover turkey good for?

Unless youre using a buffet warming tray that heats up to at least 140°F, your turkey leftovers should be put away in the refrigerator or freezer within two hours, according to Carothers. It should go in an airtight container, and, if frozen, should be reheated to at least 165°F before consuming, Washington, D.C.-based dietitian Caroline Thomason, RD, CDCES, tells USA TODAY.

“Thanksgiving leftovers are safe in the refrigerator for up to four days — until the Monday after Thanksgiving to eat them — or you can place them in the freezer to enjoy later,” Carothers says. “If you store leftovers in the freezer, they will remain of best quality for up to two to six months.”

That refrigeration rule extends to all other leftovers — were talking mashed potatoes, gravy, mac and cheese and the rest of your Turkey Day lineup.

Healthiest Thanksgiving sides: Youre probably missing these two dishes on the table

How long is leftover turkey good for in the fridge?

FAQ

Can I eat leftover turkey after 7 days?

Leftover turkey can generally be safely eaten for about 3 to 4 days when stored properly in the refrigerator. To maximize its shelf life, ensure the turkey is stored in an airtight container or tightly wrapped. If you want to keep it longer, you can freeze it, where it can last for about 2 to 6 months.

Is turkey still good after 5 days in the fridge?

Cooked ground turkey can typically be safely consumed within 3 to 4 days when stored in the refrigerator at or below 40°F (4°C). After 5 days, the risk of foodborne illness increases, and it’s generally recommended to discard it to ensure safety.

Can you reheat turkey after 5 days?

Safety tips for reheating turkey

Cold, cooked turkey meat will keep in the fridge for up to four days, but always use your best judgement. Always reheat cold turkey until it’s piping hot, not just warmed through. Only reheat cooked turkey once.

How can you tell if cooked turkey has gone bad?

“The texture and smell of turkey will indicate when it has gone bad,” Edwards says. “Generally it will smell bad and get a slimy texture.

How long can you keep cooked turkey after Thanksgiving?

The answer is simple: leftovers can be kept in the refrigerator for three to four days. This means you have until the Monday after Thanksgiving to eat all those delicious leftovers or place them in the freezer to enjoy later. Is cooked turkey good after 2 weeks?

How long does a cooked turkey last in the fridge?

When stored in the refrigerator, turkey does not last as long. Snyder points to the USDA FoodKeeper app for best guidance: The tool notes that refrigerated, cooked turkey should be eaten within 4 days. Eat frozen turkey leftovers within 6 months for premier quality.

Can you eat frozen turkey leftovers after 6 months?

Eat frozen turkey leftovers within 6 months for premier quality. “Other slower changes to quality, like freezer burn, can eventually render leftovers unacceptable,” Snyder says, noting that this is not an issue of safety when it comes to frozen leftovers.

How long can a Sliced turkey last?

Once refrigerated, leftover sliced turkey maintains optimal quality for 3 to 4 days If keeping the whole carved bird, it should be consumed within 1 to 2 days. Cooked turkey can be identified as spoiled if you notice an off smell, sliminess, or mold growth Discard any turkey that exhibits these signs of spoilage.

Is leftover Turkey safe to eat?

Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Micah Morton; Prop Stylist: Kathleen Varner “Leftover turkey is safe to eat as long as it’s handled properly (from start to finish) and refrigerated promptly,” Chelsea Edwards, a registered dietitian and the owner of Huntsville Nutrition Collective in Huntsville, Alabama, tells Southern Living.

How long does frozen turkey last?

According to the USDA, frozen turkey maintains top quality for 2 to 6 months. For longer storage up to a year, some degradation of texture and flavor will occur. But frozen turkey remains safe indefinitely, provided temperature is consistently 0°F or below. Ideally, freeze any turkey leftovers you won’t use within 3 to 4 days.

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