Freezing leftover turkey is a great way to save it for fast easy dinners in the future. Follow these simple steps to keep your leftover turkey for months to come.
With families all over the country having smaller Thanksgivings this year, it is likely that you will have some leftover turkey. I’ve used this method to freeze both my Turkey Breast recipe and my Roast Turkey – it works great for both!
These simple and easy steps make it possible to keep turkey on hand for lots of great recipes. There is no need to get sick of turkey. Freeze your left overs and use them a month from now in leftover turkey recipes.
Freezing a turkey breast allows you to enjoy delicious poultry any time of year. With proper storage, a frozen turkey breast can last in the freezer for up to a year. However, for best quality it’s ideal to eat a frozen turkey breast within 9-12 months. Here’s what you need to know about freezing turkey breast and how long it will last in the freezer.
Why Freeze Turkey Breast?
Freezing turkey breast has several advantages:
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Convenience – Freeze turkey when it’s on sale or in abundance Thaw only what you need for meals
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Cost savings – Buy turkey in bulk when prices are low.
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Food waste reduction – Freezing prevents spoilage so you can use within recommended time.
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Flavor and texture retention – Properly frozen turkey retains moisture and quality.
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Meal planning flexibility – Cook turkey breast straight from frozen state.
Proper Freezing Guidelines
Follow these tips for freezing turkey breast:
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Choose fresh, high-quality turkey breast within 2 days of purchase. Freeze before “sell-by” date.
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Rinse turkey breast and pat dry. Freeze boneless, skinless turkey breast in freezer bags. Leave skin and bones on bone-in cuts.
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Seal turkey breast in airtight packaging like freezer bags or containers. Squeeze out excess air.
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Label package with contents and freeze-by date.
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Freeze immediately at 0°F or below. Use freezer thermometer to monitor.
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Avoid overcrowding freezer. Leave space for air circulation to ensure even freezing.
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Use frozen turkey breast within recommended storage times for best quality.
Thawing Safely
Thaw frozen turkey breast slowly in the refrigerator, allowing 24 hours per pound. For quicker thawing, place sealed turkey in cold water, changing water every 30 minutes. Cook immediately after thawing. Do not refreeze thawed raw turkey.
Freezer Storage Times
Here are USDA-recommended maximum frozen storage times for turkey:
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Whole turkey: 1 year
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Turkey breast: 9-12 months
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Turkey parts/pieces: 6-9 months
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Ground turkey: 3-4 months
Turkey breast retains optimal flavor and texture quality for 9-12 months when stored at 0°F in airtight freezer packaging.
Signs of Freezer Burn
Freezer burn appears as grayish-brown dry spots on turkey, often with abnormal odor or texture. It affects quality but not safety. Prevent it by excluding air during freezing. Trim affected parts before cooking.
Maintaining Quality
Here are tips for keeping frozen turkey breast in top condition:
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Vacuum seal or double wrap turkey to prevent freezer burn.
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Portion turkey breast before freezing for easier thawing.
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Monitor freezer temperature with thermometer.
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Place turkey breast in coldest part of freezer, usually the back.
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Avoid opening freezer door unnecessarily to maintain temperature.
Following proper freezing, thawing, and storage guidelines allows you to enjoy delicious turkey breast even after freezing it for 9-12 months. With some simple preparation, frozen turkey breast stays safe and retains maximum quality.
How to Freeze Leftover Turkey
Freezing turkey to have for later recipes is really simple. The key to is to flash freeze it in a single layer so you are able to pull out just one cup at a time in the future.
Step 1: Cut the turkey into bite sized pieces.
I suggest that you freeze leftovers as soon as possible so you can get the maximum life span from them.
Step 2: Spread the turkey into a single layer on a parchment lined baking sheet.
Step 3: Freeze the cut up turkey for 1 hour.
This flash freezing is an important step. It will keep the turkey from clumping together when stored in the freezer. This way they freeze as individual pieces.
Step 4: Transfer the frozen turkey to a plastic bag.
That’s it! Now you can store the bag of frozen turkey in the freezer for up to three months.
If you are wondering what to do with leftover turkey after freezing it, I suggest some of these leftover turkey recipes (and I will have more coming next week).
With any soup or casserole recipe, you can add it to the recipe directly from the freezer. Just add a little more cooking time.
This turkey will last in the freezer in a sealed container for 3 months.
Leftover turkey will last in the refrigerator for 4 days and in the freeze for 3 months.
It depends on the recipe. For soups and casseroles, you can put the turkey right from the freezer into the recipe and add a little more time. For recipes like the sliders and the grilled cheese, thaw in the refrigerator overnight first.
Yes! This is exactly how I freeze rotisserie chicken as well. This is perfect for recipes like my Chicken Noodle Casserole. Follow me on social for more recipe ideas & inspiration!
Quick and Safe Thawing of a Frozen Turkey Breast
FAQ
Is a turkey breast frozen for 2 years still good?
Keep frozen until you’re ready to thaw it. Turkeys can be kept in the freezer indefinitely. However, cook turkeys within 1 year for the best quality.Oct 20, 2022
How long does raw turkey breast last in the freezer?
In both cases, you’ll want to store the turkey in the deepest part of the freezer. When properly stored, raw turkey pieces should stay good in the freezer for up to 9 months, while whole raw turkeys last for a year when frozen. Cooked turkey pieces last in the freezer for 4–6 months.
How long does a frozen butterball turkey breast last in the freezer?
FROZEN TURKEY
As a rule, you can keep a Frozen Butterball Turkey in its’ original packaging for a minimum 2-year period. The turkey must remain frozen. The packaging must be without tears or holes and the vacuum seal intact.
How to tell if a frozen turkey has gone bad?
Some people I know go longer than that without any issues, however. Signs that the turkey has gone bad: Surface of the meat has discoloration or sliminess Smells off Tastes off (only try to taste a small piece after making sure the turkey looks and smells OK) If it looks, smells, and tastes OK, it is probably fine.