How Long Can You Safely Eat Turkey After the Sell By Date?

You reach into the fridge and pull out the Thanksgiving turkey you bought a few days ago, ready to start prepping for the big feast. But wait – was today the sell by date stamped on the packaging? Is the turkey still OK to eat or cook with after that date has passed?

The sell by date can cause confusion for many home cooks when it comes to meat and poultry. Unlike the expiration date, it’s not an absolute indicator of when that product stops being edible. So how long past the sell by date can you safely eat turkey? Here’s what you need to know

What is the Turkey Sell By Date?

The sell by date is the last date that the manufacturer recommends retailers sell or display that product. For turkey and other raw meats, it serves as a guide for grocers to rotate stock and limit how long an item sits in the store cooler.

It is not meant to indicate the turkey is bad or unsafe to eat after that exact date. Rather, it provides an estimate of how long the turkey will retain peak quality and freshness under proper storage conditions.

Can You Eat Turkey After the Sell By?

Yes, you can safely eat turkey for a period after the printed sell by date, provided you have stored it correctly at 40°F or below. The sell by is not a firm expiration – the unopened turkey will usually last for several more days past that date before any noticeable drop in quality occurs.

Many people store turkey 1-2 days beyond the sell by with no issues if held at proper fridge temperatures. However, it’s generally not recommended to eat turkey more than 3-5 days past the sell by date, even when refrigerated.

How Long Does Raw Turkey Last After the Sell By Date?

Here are general guidelines for maximum refrigerator storage times for raw turkey after the sell by date:

Whole turkey: 1-2 days
Turkey pieces or cuts: 1-2 days
Ground turkey: 1-2 days

These timeframes assume the turkey has been continuously stored at 40°F or below. Higher temperatures allow for faster bacteria growth.

Raw turkey should not be left in the fridge more than 2 days past the sell by date. At that point, it’s best to cook or freeze it.

Can You Freeze Turkey After the Sell By Date?

Freezing is a great option for preserving turkey after the sell by date has lapsed. While not recommended, frozen turkey can keep for 2-3 months beyond the sell by if frozen prior to that date.

For best quality, freeze turkey before or by the sell by date. Portion the turkey, wrap tightly in plastic wrap or freezer bags, and freeze at 0°F. Frozen, properly packaged turkey keeps well for 4-12 months depending on cut.

Signs Turkey is Spoiled

Relying on sight, smell and touch are better indicators of spoilage than the sell by date alone. Discard turkey that exhibits any of the following:

Slimy or sticky texture
Foul, sour or ammonia-like smell
Graying and dull, tacky appearance
Mold growth – do not eat molded turkey
Discoloration or dry, brown spots

Trust your senses. When in doubt, throw it out. Frozen turkey with freezer burn or far exceeded shelf life should also be discarded.

Food Safety with Raw Turkey

Proper food safety is especially important when handling raw turkey:

Store turkey sealed in the fridge at 40°F or below
Freeze at 0°F if not using within 2 days of sell by date
Thaw in the refrigerator, not at room temp
Avoid rinsing raw turkey which can spread bacteria
Use within 1-2 days of thawing
Cook to an internal temp of 165°F
Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours

Following safe storage, thawing and cooking guidelines reduces the risk of foodborne illnesses.

The Takeaway on Turkey After Sell By

The turkey sell by date isn’t perfect, but it’s a helpful freshness guideline. You typically have a 1-2 day buffer after the sell by to use turkey if properly refrigerated.

Rely first on your senses to gauge spoilage. Cook turkey within 2 days past the sell by for safety. Freeze turkey to extend shelf life beyond the sell by date.

And remember – when in doubt, throw it out. Don’t risk getting sick from eating spoiled turkey. Paying attention to food safety, monitoring temperature and using recommended storage times ensures you can enjoy delicious turkey without worry.

how long is turkey good for after sell by date

What Sell-By Dates Actually Mean

FAQ

Can I eat turkey 5 days after the sell-by date?

Raw Turkey: – Sell-By Date: Generally, raw turkey can be stored in the refrigerator for 1-2 days after the sell-by date if it has been kept at a consistent temperature (below 40°F or 4°C). If frozen, it can be safe indefinitely, but for best quality, use it within 1 year.

How do I know if a turkey has gone bad?

“Consumers can tell leftover turkey has spoiled by using their senses,” says Snyder. “Refrigerated turkey leftovers that have spoiled may be slimy or have a bad smell.” If the turkey has been stored in the freezer, you will be able to tell if it is no longer safe to eat if it is discolored, tough, or dry.

How long is turkey lunch meat good for after the sell-by date?

Instead, they’re a suggestion for when the product will be at its peak quality,” Hutchings said. “If a food item is stored properly, it can often still be used or eaten after its expiration date.” She recommends eating deli meat within three to five days from opening the package, and unopened packages within two weeks.

Is leftover turkey good after 7 days?

USDA recommends using cooked turkey within 3 to 4 days, kept refrigerated (40°F or less). Refrigeration slows but does not stop bacterial growth. Turkey can be frozen for 3 to 4 months. Although safe indefinitely, frozen leftovers can lose moisture and flavor when stored for longer times in the freezer.

Does Turkey expire?

But remember, turkey, like a lot of other proteins, usually has a sell by date and not a use by date or expiration date. Because of this distinction, you may safely use it even after the sell by date has lapsed as long as it has not gone bad – read on. How to tell if Turkey is bad, rotten or spoiled?

When should a Turkey be sold by date?

The sell by date is typically several days before the use by or best by date. A turkey should not be sold in stores past its sell by date. However, just because the turkey has passed the sell by date does not necessarily mean it is bad. The use by or freeze by date indicates the last day the turkey should be eaten or frozen for best quality.

How long can a frozen turkey last?

The USDA recommends that fresh turkeys be cooked within 1-2 days of purchase. Frozen turkeys can be stored for up to 1 year in a freezer that is set to 0F or below. It is important to note that the sell-by date is not the same as the expiration date. The expiration date is the last day that the turkey can be safely eaten.

When should you buy a fresh turkey?

Select fresh: The “fresh” label means the turkey has never been chilled below 26 F. Fresh turkeys should not be purchased until one or two days before you cook it, unless the manufacturer’s tag has a “Best by” or “Use by” date that indicates the turkey will be okay on the date you plan to cook it. What is a fresh turkey sell-by date?

How long after sell-by date should a Turkey be cooked?

However, the quality of the turkey will start to decline after the sell-by date, so it is best to cook it within a few days of purchase. The sell-by date is determined by the USDA, and it is based on the following factors: The USDA recommends that fresh turkeys be cooked within 1-2 days of purchase.

How long can you keep Turkey after cooking?

Cook within 1-2 days. Heat fully cooked turkey to 165°F. Store leftovers for 3-4 days in the fridge. Following date label best practices ensures you select the freshest turkey and safely store it until go time on Thanksgiving. What matters most is that your turkey tastes delicious and feeds your family, not the day it was packaged.