Is it really Thanksgiving if you don’t wind up with leftovers? For many of us, that too much is just enough, because the actual best parts of the holiday are the meals that follow the original turkey feast. I’ll be honest and admit that I look forward to my Thanksgiving leftovers sandwich more than the holiday meal itself. But perhaps you’ve faced the remnants of that gorgeous, golden turkey centerpiece and debated the best way to store it, keeping safety (and flavor!) in mind. How long can you actually keep turkey in the fridge? Should some of the meat be frozen right away?
While you’re clearing the table and beginning to wash dishes, thinking about what you’re going to do with all that leftover turkey, here’s what you need to know.
Cooked turkey is a kitchen staple that can be used in various dishes from sandwiches to casseroles. However, improper storage of cooked turkey can lead to dangerous foodborne illnesses. So how long can cooked turkey safely last in the refrigerator? In this article, I’ll provide a definitive answer based on recommendations from food safety experts.
Overview of Refrigerator Storage Time for Cooked Turkey
The consensus among food safety resources is that cooked turkey will maintain optimal quality and safety when consumed within 3 to 4 days of refrigeration. This aligns with guidelines from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) FoodKeeper app. Let’s examine why proper refrigeration is crucial and how you can get the maximum shelf life out of your cooked turkey.
Why Refrigerating Cooked Turkey is Important
Cooked turkey is a prime breeding ground for dangerous bacteria like salmonella and listeria if not stored properly. Refrigeration at 40°F or below significantly slows bacterial growth. Without refrigeration, bacteria can rapidly multiply, producing toxins that make you sick. Proper cooling of cooked turkey within 2 hours is also vital to prevent bacteria proliferation.
Refrigeration preserves the quality and flavor of cooked turkey as well. Chemical changes happen over time producing an “off” taste. Frozen storage is great for long-term storage, but refrigeration keeps cooked turkey fresher for more immediate use.
Maximum Refrigerator Storage Time
Food safety organizations unanimously agree that cooked turkey will maintain best quality when refrigerated for no more than 3 to 4 days. This includes:
- U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
- U.S. Food Safety Inspection Service
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
- Butterball Turkey Talk-Line Experts
The maximum for safety may extend to 5 or 6 days but turkey will rapidly deteriorate in texture and taste past 4 days even when correctly refrigerated. I recommend consuming or freezing within 4 days for best results.
Proper Refrigeration Guidelines
To get the full 4 days of shelf life, follow these proper refrigeration guidelines:
- Refrigerate at 40°F or below – use a refrigerator thermometer to verify
- Allow cooked turkey to cool at room temperature for 30 minutes before refrigerating
- Refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking
- Store turkey in shallow, airtight containers to quicken cooling
- Avoid overpacking the refrigerator, as air circulation is key
Monitoring temperature and allowing rapid cooling prevents the growth of dangerous bacteria. Cooked turkey should never sit out for more than 2 hours before refrigerating.
Signs Turkey Has Spoiled
Even when stored properly, cooked turkey has a limited shelf life. Be alert for any of the following signs of spoilage:
- Slimy texture or sticky residue
- Unpleasant sour odor
- Grayish discoloration
- Dry, tacky appearance
If your cooked turkey exhibits these properties before 4 days when correctly refrigerated play it safe and throw it away. Don’t risk getting sick – discard turkey at the first signs of spoilage.
Takeaways for Refrigerating Cooked Turkey
To summarize proper storage for maximum safety and quality:
- Refrigerate cooked turkey at 40°F or below
- Allow to cool at room temperature for 30 minutes before refrigerating
- Refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking
- Store in airtight, shallow containers
- Consume within 3 to 4 days for best quality
- Discard if smells, textures, or colors seem off
Following these simple refrigeration guidelines will keep your cooked turkey safe and delicious for almost a week. Be diligent with refrigerator temperatures and storage methods for optimal freshness.
Freezing Cooked Turkey for Long-Term Storage
If you won’t consume cooked turkey within 4 days, freezing is the best option for long-term storage. According to the USDA, frozen cooked turkey will last 3 to 4 months before quality loss is noticed. Follow these tips for freezing success:
- Allow cooked turkey to cool completely before freezing
- Portion into freezer-safe containers or bags
- Remove as much air as possible and seal tightly
- Label bags with contents and freeze-by date
- Freeze immediately at 0°F or below
Frozen cooked turkey can be safely stored for up to 4 months, though the USDA recommends using within 2 to 3 months for best flavor and texture. Properly frozen cooked turkey will keep significantly longer than refrigerated.
Thawing Frozen Turkey Safely
When ready to use frozen cooked turkey, thaw it safely in the refrigerator overnight. Do not thaw at room temperature, as bacteria can begin growing in the outer layers before the center is fully thawed. Safety tips:
- Thaw frozen turkey in the refrigerator
- Allow 24 hours for every 4 pounds
- Cook thawed turkey immediately, don’t refreeze
- Can microwave to thaw if cooking immediately
If thawed correctly in the fridge, cooked turkey can keep for another 3 to 4 days before use. However, turkey thawed at room temperature or in the microwave should be cooked immediately.
Proper refrigeration and freezing allows you to safely preserve cooked turkey for use in delicious sandwiches, soups and other dishes. Refrigerate for no more than 4 days, and discard if any odd smells, textures or appearance develop. For storage beyond 4 days, freeze cooked turkey immediately in airtight containers. Follow these simple guidelines to avoid foodborne illness and enjoy your tasty turkey for as long as possible!
We’ve still got half a bird!
You’re not alone. Whether you’re buying a frozen Butterball turkey, a heritage bird from your local butcher shop, or a smaller turkey breast, leftovers are almost a given. According to a 2011 USDA study, around 35% of turkey is wasted each year, so understanding how to best store your leftovers goes a long way to reducing the amount of turkey that ends up in landfills and compost heaps. That statistic feels even larger when you learn that the National Turkey Federation reports that 88% of Americans eat turkey on Thanksgiving, and Butterball’s senior brand manager Chad McFadden notes that 79% of consumers surveyed for a 2023 report planned to buy a whole bird. McFadden also says that the most popular Thanksgiving turkey option weighs between 16 and 20 pounds, and the average guest count for the holiday is nine people, with a suggested estimate of 1 to 1.5 pounds of turkey per person. After we do some quick turkey math, this suggests that, generally, households have somewhere between 2.5 and 11 pounds of turkey and turkey bones left after the Thursday Thanksgiving feast. That’s a lot of sandwiches.
How long does turkey last in the fridge?
With your leftovers sitting in front of you, the first step in smart turkey storage is to think about what you’re going to do with them. Do you have a leftover turkey recipe that you’re already planning to try for Friday dinner? Or would you like to keep that delicious turkey in reserve for sometime down the road? Even though you may be exhausted from a day or two of cooking, entertaining and feasting, it’s still best to deal with your turkey in one way or another as soon as possible.
From a food safety perspective, it’s important to minimize the time your turkey spends in the “Danger Zone,” or between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit. The USDA notes that food has a limit of two hours at room temperature before bacteria growth becomes an issue.
Asking the experts how long cooked turkey keeps in the fridge yields a range of answers. LG’s resident culinary expert Brian Karam recommends capping it at one to two days, but also suggests that “time can be maximized by keeping larger pieces whole and not making them smaller before refrigerating, [as] smaller pieces are more susceptible to air exposure and could hasten spoilage in refrigerator.” Aly Forster of Diestel Family Ranch says “you will want to consume within three to four days.” The USDA’s guidelines state that “Thanksgiving leftovers are safe to eat up to four days in the refrigerator.” At the furthest end of the spectrum, Patrick L. Guzzle, vice president of food science at the National Restaurant Association says that “seven days is the maximum time recommended for cooked foods to be stored in the refrigerator.”
The wide variation in answers largely comes down to the difference between food safety and food quality. Guzzle points out that “Food safety is primarily concerned with harmful microbiological organisms, [and] may veer from what an average consumer might consider for quality (i.e., taste, texture, aroma, etc.)” Fortunately, Forster adds, “We like to say ‘poultry isn’t shy’—one whiff easily lets you know if that meat is still wholesome!” Ultimately, when using leftovers, Forster concludes, you’ll need to use your best judgment to determine how long you feel comfortable within this range. Be sure, she notes, to “inspect the turkey for any signs of spoilage.” Or as I like to say, “When in doubt, throw it out.”
If you’ve only got enough turkey left for a few sandwiches and a batch of turkey jook, keeping your leftover meat in the fridge will be enough. But if you have enough for a couple more full feasts, then you’ll want to think about freezing that turkey for the future.
How long is leftover turkey good for in the fridge?
FAQ
Is leftover turkey good after 7 days?
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.
Can you eat turkey 5 days after Thanksgiving?
How long do the turkey and trimmings stay safe in the refrigerator or freezer? 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 turkey safe to eat after 7 days?
You can safely eat leftover turkey within 3 to 4 days when stored properly in the refrigerator at or below 40°F (4°C). If you want to keep it longer, you can freeze it for up to 2 to 6 months. Always make sure to reheat the turkey to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) before eating.
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.