Turkey is a delicious and nutritious meat that is a staple for many households especially around the holidays. However like any meat, turkey is perishable and can go bad if not stored and handled properly. Eating spoiled turkey can cause food poisoning, so it’s important to know how to tell if your turkey has gone bad before you prepare and eat it.
In this comprehensive guide, we will cover all the signs and symptoms of bad turkey, including changes in smell, texture, taste and appearance. We will also provide tips on how to store turkey properly to extend its shelf life. By the end of this article, you will be able to confidently determine if your turkey is still safe to eat or if it’s time to throw it out.
How to Tell if Raw Turkey is Bad
Raw turkey has a shelf life of 1-2 days in the refrigerator once purchased. Here are some telltale signs that your raw turkey has spoiled:
-
Slimy Texture Fresh raw turkey has a smooth, moist texture. Spoiled turkey will feel slimy to the touch
-
Grey Color Raw turkey meat is pink, reddish or slightly tan in color If the meat turns grey, stays pinkish in some parts but grey in others, or has dry spots, it has spoiled
-
Strong Odor: Raw turkey has a mild odor. Rancid turkey gives off a strong, unpleasant sour or ammonia-like smell.
-
Discoloration: Look for discolored spots or patches on the turkey skin or meat. This indicates the growth of bacteria.
-
Past Expiry Date: Check if the turkey’s sell-by or use-by date has passed. This is an indication it may be spoiled.
If you notice any of these signs, it’s best to discard the raw turkey. Consuming spoiled raw poultry can cause salmonella poisoning.
How to Tell if Cooked Turkey is Bad
Cooked turkey lasts 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Here are some common signs of spoiled cooked turkey:
-
Mold Growth: Mold on cooked turkey appears as fuzzy spots or patches that can be white, green or black. This means it has spoiled due to excess moisture.
-
Strange Odor: Cooked turkey that no longer smells savory but gives off a sour, stinky or ammonia-like odor has definitely gone bad.
-
Slimy Texture: The meat feels excessively sticky, slimy or tacky when you touch it.
-
Discoloration: Look for grey, green or blue discoloration on the turkey meat.
-
Dry or Hard Meat: Fresh cooked turkey is moist. If it has turned dry or hard, it is over the hill.
Just like raw turkey, cooked turkey that displays any of these characteristics should not be eaten. Leftover turkey should be discarded after 3-4 days in the fridge.
Proper Storage of Turkey to Avoid Spoilage
Proper storage is key to preventing your turkey from spoiling quickly. Here are some tips for storing raw and cooked turkey correctly:
Raw Turkey Storage
- Store raw turkey on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator at 40°F or below to slow bacteria growth.
- Place the turkey in a clean plate or shallow container to prevent juices from dripping onto other foods.
- Use ground turkey within 1-2 days of purchase and whole turkeys within 2 days.
- Do not rinse raw turkey before refrigeration, as this promotes cross-contamination.
- If freezing, use freezer bags or freezer wrap. Raw turkey can last in the freezer for up to 1 year.
Cooked Turkey Storage
- Carve cooked turkey off the bone and store in shallow airtight containers.
- Refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking.
- Keep cooked turkey for only 3-4 days in the fridge.
- You may also freeze slices or pieces of cooked turkey for 2-6 months.
Following these raw and cooked turkey storage guidelines will help minimize bacterial growth and extend the shelf life.
Can You Eat Turkey that Smells a Little Funny?
It’s generally not recommended to take chances with turkey that smells, tastes or looks questionable. Even a slight funky odor may be indicative of spoilage. Don’t risk eating turkey that smells a little funny, as it likely means bacteria is growing.
However, just because your turkey has an unexpected smell does not necessarily mean it has gone bad. Here are some scenarios where turkey could have an odd odor but still be safe to eat:
- You cooked the turkey with spices, peppers or marinades that give strong smells.
- The turkey was frozen long-term and has freezer burn. This causes a dry, oxidized odor.
- You are reheating previously-cooked turkey. This can make it smell like leftovers.
- The turkey is past its prime but not grossly spoiled. There may be a slightly sour or ammonia whiff.
In these cases, inspect the color, texture and expiry date to help determine if the turkey is still usable or not. When in doubt, remember the general rule is “if it smells bad, don’t eat it.” Discard turkey with strong rancid, sour or putrid smells.
What Happens If You Eat Bad Turkey?
Eating spoiled turkey comes with potentially harmful risks that are definitely not worth taking. Here are some common illnesses caused by contaminated turkey:
Salmonella
Raw turkey is especially prone to salmonella bacteria. Consuming undercooked turkey or handling it improperly can lead to salmonella infection. Symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, fever and cramps usually start 12-72 hours after ingesting bad turkey meat.
Listeria
Listeria is another bacteria that can infect processed turkey like deli meats. Symptoms include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, convulsions and fever.
Staphylococcal Food Poisoning
This results from toxins produced by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. It causes symptoms like nausea, stomach cramping, and diarrhea within 1-6 hours of eating contaminated turkey meat.
Campylobacteriosis
This food-borne illness is caused by Campylobacter bacteria on raw turkey. Symptoms include diarrhea, fever, abdominal cramps, nausea and vomiting 2-5 days after ingestion.
So if you suspect your turkey is bad, be safe rather than sorry. Getting sick from turkey gone bad is an experience nobody wants, especially around the holidays. Check for the signs of spoiled turkey we covered and if in doubt, throw it out. With proper handling and storage techniques, you can avoid bad turkey and foodborne illnesses this season.
Bacteria That Can Grow on Turkey
Several types of bacteria can contaminate turkey and cause food poisoning:
- Salmonella – Salmonella is one of the most common causes of food poisoning from poultry, including turkey. Symptoms of Salmonella infection include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps, which typically appear 12–72 hours after consuming contaminated food. In severe cases, Salmonella can lead to hospitalization and even death, particularly in young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.
- Campylobacter – Campylobacter is another bacteria that can cause food poisoning from turkey. Symptoms of Campylobacter infection include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps, which usually appear 2–5 days after consuming contaminated food.
- Clostridium perfringens – Clostridium perfringens is a bacteria that can grow on turkey and other poultry, particularly when the meat is cooked in large quantities and kept at unsafe temperatures. Symptoms of Clostridium perfringens infection include diarrhea and abdominal cramps, which typically appear 8–12 hours after consuming contaminated food.
Why Is Turkey a Risk for Food Poisoning?
Turkey, like chicken and other poultry, is a high-risk food for bacterial contamination. The moist, nutrient-rich environment of turkey meat provides an ideal breeding ground for harmful bacteria. Improper handling, storage, or cooking can allow these bacteria to multiply quickly, increasing the risk of food poisoning.
Several factors during the food handling process can contribute to bacterial growth in turkey:
- Thawing turkey at room temperature for too long – Thawing turkey on the counter can lead to bacterial growth.
- Not washing hands, utensils, or surfaces after handling raw turkey – Bacteria from raw turkey can spread to other foods, surfaces, and utensils if you do not follow proper hygiene practices.
- Storing turkey at temperatures between 40–140 °F, known as the “danger zone” – Bacteria multiply most rapidly in this temperature range, so it’s crucial to keep turkey out of this zone.
- Undercooking turkey or not reheating it to a safe internal temperature – Consuming undercooked or leftover turkey that has not been heated to safe temperatures can lead to food poisoning.
Cross-contamination is another significant factor in the spread of bacteria from turkey to other foods. This can occur when raw turkey comes into contact with other ingredients, such as fruits, vegetables, or cooked foods. Always use separate cutting boards, plates, and utensils for raw turkey and other foods to avoid cross-contamination. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling raw turkey. Clean and sanitize any surfaces or utensils that have come into contact with the raw meat.
How to Determine If a Thawed Turkey Has Gone Bad
FAQ
How do you know if turkey is spoiled?
Many times people can tell if a turkey is spoiled by the “texture and smell” of the turkey. Hanes said the skin of the turkey may become slimy, and the smell is often described as “rotten eggs or like sulfur.”
What does turkey look like when it goes bad?
Look and Color
Raw turkey meat should be light pink or beige, depending on the type of meat and its fat content. The meat color becomes dull as time passes, which is normal. However, if the meat has a brown, gray or yellow or green hue, you will want to part ways with it.
How can you tell if a turkey is safe to eat?
A whole turkey is safe when cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 165 °F, as measured with a food thermometer. Check the internal temperature in the innermost part of the thigh and wing and the thickest part of the breast.
How do you know if you ate bad turkey?
Food Poisoning: Consuming spoiled turkey can lead to food poisoning, with symptoms including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever. Symptoms can appear within hours or days after consumption.