Ground turkey is a lean, healthy meat that can be used in everything from burgers to chili. But raw ground turkey doesn’t stay perfectly pink forever. You may have noticed your ground turkey meat turning slightly brown in the fridge. Should this color change concern you?
While color is not always the best indicator of whether meat has gone bad, a brownish or grayish hue in ground turkey can signal it may be past its prime However, some discoloration is normal, especially if the turkey has been in the freezer for a while.
Here’s what to look for to determine if your browned ground turkey is still safe to eat.
Normal Ground Turkey Colors
Raw ground turkey can range from light pink to tan to beige. The exact color depends on the ratio of white and dark meat, as dark turkey meat has more fat, which lends a darker beige tone.
Here are the normal color varieties:
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Light pink – Lean ground turkey made from only breast meat
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Beige or tan – Typical raw ground turkey containing a mix of white and dark meat
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Grayish brown – Ground turkey meat that has been in the freezer for longer periods; this is usually just freezer burn
So some browning can be expected especially if the meat has been frozen for a while. Freezer burn causes oxidation and drying of the meat surfaces, resulting in a drab grayish brown color.
When To Toss Brown Ground Turkey
While a little dulling of color is normal, you don’t want the raw turkey to turn fully brown or gray. This indicates spoilage.
Here are the signs that browned ground turkey has gone bad:
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Unpleasant odor – Raw turkey will give off a sour, ammonia-like smell
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Slimy texture – Turkey feels excessively mushy, sticky or gooey
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Greenish tint – Grayish meat develops greenish or blueish spots or areas
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Mold – Fuzzy white or green patches visible on the meat
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Expired – Product is past the use-by date on the packaging
If you notice any of these signs along with a brown color, it’s best to discard the ground turkey. The dulling of color along with other clues points to bacterial growth.
How To Store Ground Turkey Properly
To help keep ground turkey fresh and prevent premature browning, be sure to store it correctly:
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Refrigerate ground turkey within 2 hours of purchasing. Never leave it out longer than 1-2 hours.
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Place ground turkey on a plate or in a container so juices don’t pool under the meat.
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Wrap tightly in plastic wrap or seal in an airtight container. This prevents freezer burn which causes browning.
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Use within 2 days for best quality, or freeze for later use.
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Freeze ground turkey in portion sizes for easier thawing. Freeze in air-tight packaging.
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Defrost frozen ground turkey in the fridge overnight before use. Don’t thaw at room temperature.
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Cook ground turkey within 1-2 days of thawing or purchasing fresh.
Following safe storage methods will help retain the fresh quality and color of ground turkey. But some browning inevitably occurs over time. Use your nose, eyes and common sense along with the meat’s color to determine if it’s truly spoiled before use.
What Causes Ground Turkey To Turn Brown?
There are a few reasons why your ground turkey may change from pink to brown:
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Freezer Burn – Meat not tightly wrapped can dry out and oxidize in the freezer, causing browning.
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Improper Storage – Temperature fluctuations in the fridge can encourage bacteria growth and color changes.
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Age – Over time, the proteins in turkey oxidize and turn brown even when properly stored.
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Contact with Other Foods – Acids from nearby foods can cause chemical reactions and color shifts.
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Packaging – Ground turkey not sealed in oxygen-free packaging browns faster.
While some dulling of color is unavoidable over time, following the proper storage methods will keep your ground turkey fresher longer.
Is Brown Cooked Ground Turkey Safe To Eat?
Cooked ground turkey will naturally turn tan or light brown when prepared. This is perfectly safe.
However, if cooked ground turkey shows any of these signs, toss it:
- Odd or sour smell
- Unpleasant taste
- Mold growth
- Very dry, crumbly texture
- Greenish tinge
Safe cooked turkey should retain a moist, juicy texture. If the color seems off and is combined with another spoilage sign, it’s best to play it safe and throw it out.
Don’t let a brownish tinge in your ground turkey immediately set off alarm bells. Some discoloration naturally occurs, especially if the meat has been frozen for extended periods. However, a dull or gray color plus other signs like smells, slime, or mold call for discarding the turkey. Follow the proper storage methods to keep ground turkey as fresh as possible. But when in doubt, remember it’s better to be safe than sick!
StepsSection 1 of 4:
- Ground turkey should be cooked until it reaches 165 °F (74 °C) on the inside to kill bacteria that make people sick. [11] Keep cooking your turkey until the juices run clear if they are still pink. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0 .
- Do not touch other foods or kitchen surfaces with dirty or raw ground turkey hands. Instead, wash your hands. [12] Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0 .
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Thanks for reading! If you want to know more about how to store meat, read our full interview with JoAnna Minneci.
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FAQ
Is ground turkey safe to eat if it turns brown?
How can I tell if ground turkey is bad?
Why is my raw turkey brown?
Can ground turkey be a little brown on Reddit?
Can you eat a brown ground turkey?
If the ground turkey is dark pink or brown, it is spoiled and should not be eaten. How to look at ground turkey: 1. Open the package of ground turkey and take a look at it.
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.
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 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.
How do you know if ground turkey is safe to eat?
By following the visual cues and smell test, you can easily determine if ground turkey is safe to eat. One of the easiest ways to tell if ground turkey is bad is to smell it. Fresh ground turkey has a mild, slightly sweet smell. If the ground turkey smells sour, rancid, or ammonia-like, it is spoiled and should not be eaten.
Why is my Ground turkey turning green?
Those colors can be a sign of bacterial growth or the meat starting to oxidize. When you’ve cooked your ground turkey, it should take on a brownish color, depending on how you’ve prepared it. But spotting unusual dark or even green patches isn’t part of the plan. Of course, not every slight change in color means your turkey is off.