You may be wondering how long turkey stays fresh in the fridge and the freezer if you want to see how much longer your extra turkey lasts. Keep reading to learn the basics of how to store turkey for later use.
Freezing is an excellent way to preserve turkey breast for future use. But just how long can a turkey breast last in the freezer before the quality starts deteriorating? This guide will cover everything you need to know about the freezer life of raw and cooked turkey breast.
How Long Can Raw Turkey Breast Stay Frozen?
Raw turkey breast has a remarkably long shelf life in the freezer According to the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), raw turkey can be frozen indefinitely and remain safe to eat
However, turkey breast that is frozen for longer than a year will become progressively drier in texture and lose flavor intensity. For best quality, the FSIS recommends using frozen raw turkey breast within 9-12 months.
Proper freezer storage is also key. Pack breast meat tightly in airtight freezer bags or containers, removing excess air. Store at 0°F or below. Avoid any temperature fluctuations that cause thawing and refreezing. This accelerates moisture loss from the turkey.
How Long Can Cooked Turkey Breast Stay Frozen?
Previously cooked turkey breast has a shorter freezer life than raw. According to the FSIS, cooked turkey meat should only be frozen for 2-6 months for optimal quality.
The reason is that cooking denatures the proteins in turkey breast. This makes it more prone to textural changes during lengthy frozen storage. Cooked breast can become stringy or dry when frozen too long.
For maximum freshness, use frozen cooked turkey within 3-4 months. Store cooked breast pieces in air-tight containers or freezer bags. At 0°F, cooked turkey can last up to 6 months before noticeable dryness sets in.
Signs Your Frozen Turkey Breast Has Expired
Rely on your senses to determine if previously frozen turkey breast is still safe and enjoyable to eat:
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Smell – Frozen breast that has spoiled will have a distinctly funky, off odor when thawed. Fresh turkey has a mild smell.
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Color – Turkey naturally turns more beige as freezer time increases. Avoid turkey with gray, green or blue hues.
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Texture – Frozen turkey breast may be stringy or mushy once thawed if stored too long. Edges may be dried out.
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Sliminess – Excess moisture on the turkey’s surface is a red flag for spoilage. Discard slimy poultry.
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Mold – Any fuzzy growth on frozen turkey signals it is past safe use. Do not attempt to cook moldy turkey.
When in doubt, remember the old adage “When in doubt, throw it out!”
Freezing Tips for Preserving Turkey Breast
Here are some freezing tips to get the longest freezer life and best eating quality from your turkey breast:
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Portion turkey breast into smaller cuts or slices before freezing for easier thawing.
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Use high quality, fresh breast meat. Discard any turkey with an off smell or odd coloring before freezing.
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Chill raw breast meat in the fridge 1-2 days maximum before freezing for best flavor.
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Package breast meat tightly in freezer bags or containers, excluding air. This prevents freezer burn.
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Rotate frozen turkey breast. Use oldest packages first to avoid long storage times.
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Label packages with contents and freeze date. Track freezer times.
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Once thawed, do not refreeze turkey breast meat. It will lose quality.
Following proper freezing and storage methods allows you to keep turkey breast in the freezer for up to a year. But for ideal texture and taste, plan to use frozen raw turkey within 9 months and cooked within 3-4 months.
The Bottom Line
Thanks to the freezer, you can enjoy delicious turkey breast long after purchasing it fresh. Raw breast holds up for a full year frozen, while cooked is best within 3-4 months. Use smell, color, and texture clues to check for spoilage before cooking. With proper freezing and handling, turkey breast can be kept frozen indefinitely while maintaining safety, though the quality will eventually decline over time.
Freezing Cooked Turkey and Raw Turkey
If you have enough turkey leftovers to last more than a few days, you might want to freeze it instead of putting it in the fridge. The same goes for raw turkey that you don’t plan to cook right away. The good news is that it’s very easy to store turkey in the freezer, whether it’s cooked or raw.
Using Glad® Press’n Seal®, make a seal around each piece of turkey that won’t let air in. Then, put them in an airtight bag like Glad® FLEXN SEALTM Freezer Quart Bags, making sure to squeeze out any extra air before sealing. Just wrap a whole turkey in several layers of Glad® Clingn SealTM or Glad® Press’n Seal® to freeze it. In both cases, you’ll want to store the turkey in the deepest part of the freezer. Should be kept in the right way, raw turkey pieces can be frozen for up to 9 months, and whole raw turkeys can be frozen for a year. Cooked turkey pieces last in the freezer for 4–6 months.
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It is against USDA rules to thaw a frozen turkey on the counter or in hot water. You should also not leave it at room temperature for more than two hours.
Moving the frozen package from the freezer to a plate and into the fridge is the best way to thaw turkey, whether it’s whole or in pieces. Then, let it thaw slowly. Depending on the size of what you’re thawing, this method can take a full day. If you put raw frozen turkey in the fridge to thaw, it can stay there for one to two days before it needs to be cooked or frozen again.
If you’re in a hurry to thaw your turkey, there’s a faster method you can use. Put the turkey in a bag that won’t let air in, like a Glad® FLEXN SEALTM Food Storage Quart Bag. Then, put it in cold tap water and change the water every 30 minutes so the turkey can continue to thaw. You can also use the microwave to thaw frozen turkey, but you should plan to cook it right away to stop bacteria from growing.
Learn more about how to store meat and how long it will last in the fridge or freezer by reading our tips.
For safe meat preparation, reference the USDA website.
Storing Turkey in the Fridge
Are you not sure how to best store turkey in the fridge? Don’t worry—it’s pretty easy! Simply wrap raw turkey pieces in Glad® Press’n Seal® and put them in a Glad® FLEXN SEALTM Food Storage Quart Bag. In a food storage bag, you can store sliced cold cuts. Before you seal the bag, make sure to squeeze out any extra air. Be sure to wash your hands before and after handling turkey, especially if it’s raw.
Without being touched, raw turkey can stay in the fridge for one to two days, and cold cuts can stay there for up to five days. How long does cooked turkey stay fresh in the fridge? Cooked turkey leftovers will stay fresh in the fridge for three to four days.
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How do you thaw a frozen turkey breast quickly?
FAQ
Is a turkey breast frozen for 2 years still good?
How long can a turkey be frozen before it goes bad?
How long does raw turkey breast last in the freezer?
How long does a frozen butterball turkey breast last in the freezer?
How long can a frozen turkey breast stay in the freezer?
For instance, if the turkey breast was frozen in January, and remained in the store freezer for 3 months before being bought by you in March, you would technically have 9 months remaining to keep in your own home freezer. Please remember that the 12 month guideline is exactly that, a guideline.
How long can you eat frozen turkey breast?
Providing the frozen turkey breast has been stored at a minimum temperature of 0oF, it will still be perfectly safe to eat up to 24 months or longer, although there will be quality and freezer burn issues the longer you keep it.
How long do you cook a frozen turkey breast?
Cooking a frozen turkey breast is pretty simple, but you gotta keep an eye on it to make sure it’s cooked right. The key is making sure it hits a safe internal temperature. You can roast it in the oven or toss it in a slow cooker. Roast for about 2.5 to 3 hours for a 4 to 5-pound turkey breast. Add around 30 minutes for each extra pound.
Can you freeze raw turkey breast?
Label each package with the date. Raw turkey breast will maintain optimal quality frozen for 9-12 months. For better portion control cut breasts into smaller pieces or slices before freezing. Individual slices thaw faster. Use only high-quality, fresh breast meat. Discard any meat that smells off or has discolored spots.
Do frozen turkey breasts need to be thrown away after 12 months?
It does not mean that your frozen turkey breast needs to be thrown away after 12 months, it merely means that the quality of the meat will start to deteriorate after this timeframe, and may not be as succulent and flavorful as when used before the 12 month period.
What happens if you Thaw a frozen turkey breast?
If after thawing your frozen turkey breast you discover that the meat has been affected with freezer burn, all is not lost. As mentioned earlier, freezer burn does not affect the safety of eating the meat, it just reduces the quality of the taste, texture and moistness.