Versatile and quick-cooking, ground turkey is a staple in our kitchen, whether it’s tossed into a pot of chili, doused in spicy-sweet sauce and made into lettuce wraps or shaped into tender meatballs. The only time we won’t sing its praises? When it’s rotten. But you don’t need a PhD in food science to know how to tell if ground turkey is bad. Relying on a few of your senses (namely, sight, smell and touch) and keeping an eye on how long that pack of poultry has been in the fridge will help ensure your purchase is safe to eat. Here are the four signs to look out for.
Turkey is a lean, versatile protein enjoyed by many. However, like any meat, turkey can spoil if not handled properly. Consuming spoiled turkey can cause foodborne illness, so it’s critical to know how to check if your turkey has gone bad. This article covers all the signs of bad raw and cooked turkey, plus tips for optimal storage.
Signs Raw Turkey Has Spoiled
Raw turkey has a limited shelf life. Watch for these indicators that raw turkey has gone bad:
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Slimy texture – Fresh raw turkey should be slightly damp but not sticky/slimy. Slime indicates bacterial growth.
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Discoloration – The color changes from pink to gray, green or yellow. This hue change signals spoilage.
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Rancid smell – Raw turkey gives off a clearly unpleasant, rotten odor when spoiled. Trust your nose.
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Mold – The presence of black, blue, yellow or white mold spots means the turkey is spoiled
If raw turkey exhibits any of these characteristics, it should be discarded immediately. Do not taste raw turkey to determine freshness.
Signs Cooked Turkey Has Gone Bad
Cooked turkey also has signs that indicate it has spoiled:
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Odd odor – A sour, sickly sweet or rancid smell means leftovers should be tossed out.
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Change in color – Cooked turkey meat changes from white or brown to an unappealing gray color when bad.
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Slimy texture – A sticky, slimy texture develops on the cooked meat.
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Mold growth – As with raw turkey, mold in any color is a clear sign of spoilage.
Trust your senses with cooked turkey leftovers. If it looks, smells or feels “off”, do not eat it.
Proper Turkey Storage
To prevent turkey from prematurely spoiling:
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Store raw turkey no more than 1-2 days before freezing or cooking.
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Cooked turkey lasts 3-4 days refrigerated. Freeze for longer storage.
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Keep turkey in the coldest part of the fridge, below 40°F. Use freezer at 0°F.
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Wrap raw turkey tightly in packaging. Separate cooked turkey in shallow containers.
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Sanitize areas and utensils turkey touches. Prevent cross-contamination.
Proper, prompt refrigeration and freezing are essential for turkey safety and extending shelf life.
How Long Turkey Lasts Refrigerated
Here are general guidelines for how long turkey lasts in the refrigerator:
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Raw whole turkey – 1 to 2 days
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Raw turkey parts – 1 to 2 days
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Raw ground turkey – 1 to 2 days
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Cooked turkey slices – 3 to 4 days
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Cooked whole turkey – 3 to 4 days
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Turkey soup – 3 to 4 days
Raw turkey has a shorter fridge life than cooked. For optimal safety and quality, use turkey within these time frames.
What Makes Turkey Spoil Faster?
Turkey can spoil quickly when:
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Purchased near or past sell-by date
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Stored at incorrect temperatures
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Leftovers not portioned into shallow containers
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Turkey left in the “danger zone” above 40°F too long
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Repeated opening of the refrigerator
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Cross-contamination from other foods
Mishandling and abuse can lead to faster spoilage. Follow all storage best practices.
Tips for Keeping Turkey Fresh
Here are tips for maximizing turkey freshness:
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Freeze turkey if not using within 1-2 days of purchasing.
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Thaw turkey properly – in the fridge or cold water, never room temp.
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Cook thawed turkey within 1-2 days.
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Carve turkey within 2 hours after cooking, refrigerating promptly in shallow containers.
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Reheat cooked turkey thoroughly, to an internal temperature of 165°F.
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Consume leftovers within 3-4 days, discarding any turkey that looks or smells bad.
Proper planning, handling and storage will keep turkey safe, nutritious and delicious.
Can Spoiled Turkey Make You Sick?
Yes, consuming spoiled turkey can lead to foodborne illness. Potential symptoms include:
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Nausea and vomiting
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Abdominal cramping
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Diarrhea
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Fever
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Dehydration
Eating bad turkey poses a health risk for food poisoning. Take all safety precautions seriously to avoid illness.
Can You Freeze Bad Turkey?
No, you should never freeze turkey that shows any signs of spoilage. The freezing process does not kill existing bacteria or toxins. Cook and freeze turkey promptly while it is still fresh.
Summary
With proper refrigerator/freezer storage, handling and cooking, turkey stays safe and retains good eating quality. Follow the visual, aromatic and textural clues to know if raw or cooked turkey has gone bad. When in doubt – toss it out! Employing food safety best practices will allow you to spot bad turkey and keep this popular protein nutritious and delicious.
Plus, The One Thing You Absolutely Shouldn’t Do
According to the USDA, you should never taste food to determine its safety. (That’s just asking for trouble, no?)
And if you’re really stumped? Instead of risking it for the biscuit (er, E. coli), you can always give the USDAs toll-free Meat and Poultry Hotline a ring at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854), available year-round on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET.
Step 2: Look for Changes in Color
Fresh, raw ground turkey should have a pink, fleshy color. But as any poultry starts to go bad, it will start to turn an unpleasant shade of gray. If that pink hue starts to look slightly dull then it’s time to use up your ground turkey immediately, and if it has a gray tint (even just a slight one), then it’s time to toss it.
How to Determine If a Thawed Turkey Has Gone Bad
FAQ
What does bad turkey meat smell like?
- Sourness: The most common description for spoiled turkey is a sour smell.
- Sulfuric: Sometimes the smell can be described as similar to sulfur.
- Strong and unpleasant: A strong, noticeable odor is a clear sign that the turkey has gone bad.
What are the signs of a spoiled turkey?
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.
What does turkey look like when it goes bad?
Once the meat turns a darker brown or has a gray color, it’s a sign that it’s starting to go bad.
How long does it take for turkey meat to go bad?
| Food | Type | Refrigerator [40°F (4°C) or below] |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh poultry | Chicken or turkey, whole | 1 to 2 days |
| Chicken or turkey, pieces | 1 to 2 days | |
| Fin Fish | Fatty Fish (bluefish, catfish, mackerel, mullet, salmon, tuna, etc.) | 1 – 3 Days |
| Lean Fish (cod, flounder, haddock, halibut, sole, etc.) |
How do you know if turkey meat is bad?
If the meat is mushy or slimy, it is likely bad. * The smell of the meat. Fresh turkey meat should have a mild, slightly sweet smell. If the meat has a strong, unpleasant odor, it is likely bad. * The taste of the meat. Fresh turkey meat should taste mild and slightly sweet. If the meat has a sour or bitter taste, it is likely bad.
Why is meat unhealthy for you?
Meat is actually healthy. What can sometimes make its daily consumption inadvisable are those meats or cuts that have a high percentage of fat. However, they are a great source of proteins of high biological value, iron and B complex vitamins.
How do you know if a Turkey is cooked?
To check the doneness of a whole turkey, insert a food thermometer in the thickest part of the inner thigh without touching the bone. A whole turkey should be cooked to 165°F. To check the doneness of a turkey breast, insert a food thermometer in the thickest part of the breast. How long does it take for turkey to spoil?
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 a ground turkey is safe to eat?
Ground turkey contains both white and dark meat, so its color can range from light pink to a brownish hue. If it turns gray or green, that’s a sign it’s no longer fresh or safe to eat. Justin Micheal is KitchenSanity’s founder, food writer and editor in chief.
How do you know if a Turkey is spoiled?
Watch out for these signs of spoiled cooked turkey: Cooked turkey that has gone bad will often smell sour or sickly sweet. If it has a strong, offensive odor, it should be thrown out. Freshly cooked turkey meat should be white or brown, depending on the cut. A grayish hue likely means the turkey is past its prime.