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.
Wondering how long that uncooked turkey will last in your fridge before spoiling? This is an important question for anyone looking to prepare a turkey. Eating spoiled turkey can cause serious food poisoning so you’ll want to make sure to store it properly.
When fridge storage time is up, the turkey should be cooked or frozen immediately. But just how long does an uncooked turkey last in the fridge? Here’s a thorough look at turkey fridge life so you can keep your holiday bird safe.
How Long Does Raw Turkey Last in the Fridge?
An uncooked fresh turkey can be kept refrigerated in the meat compartment for 1 to 2 days before cooking.
The timeframe depends somewhat on whether it’s whole or cut up. Whole turkeys last a bit longer than turkey pieces.
Here are the time limits
- Whole turkey: 1 to 2 days
- Turkey pieces or ground turkey: 1 day
These timelines are for fresh, raw turkey that has been properly stored.
Guidelines for Refrigerating Uncooked Turkey
To get the maximum safe fridge life, follow these guidelines:
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Keep the turkey in its original wrapper. This prevents cross-contamination.
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Place the turkey on a tray or pan to catch any juices that may drip. You don’t want turkey juices dripping on other food.
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Store the turkey on a shelf rather than the door. The door is the warmest part of the fridge.
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Make sure your fridge temperature is 40°F or below. Use a fridge thermometer to monitor.
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Don’t overstuff the fridge. Cold air needs to circulate properly.
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Once cooked, leftovers can last 3 to 4 days refrigerated. Reheat thoroughly to 165°F.
Following these tips will help keep your raw turkey cold and safe until it’s time to cook.
Can You Refreeze a Thawed Turkey?
What if your frozen turkey thawed in the fridge before you were ready to cook it? Can it be refrozen?
The answer is yes—with some qualifiers. If the turkey has been properly thawed in the fridge, it can be safely refrozen. However, there will likely be some loss of quality.
The USDA recommends against refreezing a turkey more than once. Also, do not refreeze turkey that has been left out at room temperature for more than two hours.
To refreeze a thawed turkey:
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Make sure it has been continuously refrigerated and hasn’t sat out longer than two hours.
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Check that it still smells and looks fine. There should be no off odors or sliminess.
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Rewrap it tightly in plastic wrap or place back in its original packaging. This prevents freezer burn.
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Freeze it as soon as possible, ideally within one to two days.
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Label the turkey with the new freeze date.
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Cook within three to four months for best quality.
It’s usually better to cook a thawed turkey right away if possible. But refreezing is an option if you find yourself with a thawed bird and more time before the big meal.
Signs Your Raw Turkey Has Spoiled
It’s important to use safe handling and properly refrigerate turkey. But sometimes spoilage still occurs. Here are signs a raw turkey has gone bad:
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Slimy skin or sticky, milky fluid pooling in the package. This indicates bacterial growth.
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An off smell that’s unpleasant or sour. Fresh turkey has little to no odor.
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Change in color from pink or white to grayish or greenish.
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Unusual textures like sliminess or stickiness.
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Mold growth, which may look fuzzy or dry and speckled.
If your turkey displays these signs of spoilage, it’s safest to throw it away. Don’t rely on cooking to salvage a spoiled turkey.
Frozen turkey that smells odd or has freezer burn should also be discarded. If in doubt, play it safe and toss it out.
How to Safely Thaw a Frozen Turkey
Turkeys are often purchased frozen solid. Before cooking, frozen turkeys must be thawed completely.
Here are a few safe ways to thaw turkey:
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Refrigerator: This is the slow but safest method. Allow 24 hours of thawing time per 4-5 pounds. Place the turkey in a pan to catch any juices.
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Cold water: Submerge the turkey (in its wrapping) in cold water, changing out the water every 30 minutes. Allow about 30 minutes defrost time per pound. Cook the turkey immediately after thawing.
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Microwave: Follow your microwave instructions for thawing. Cook the turkey immediately, as some areas may begin to cook.
It’s best not to thaw turkey at room temperature as this allows for bacterial growth in the outer layers before the inner sections thaw.
After thawing, cook the turkey within 1 to 2 days. If it needs more time, refreeze it immediately following the proper guidelines.
Quick Recap of Turkey Fridge Life
To give you a quick recap, here are the key time limits to keep in mind:
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Uncooked whole turkey: 1 to 2 days in the fridge
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Uncooked turkey parts or ground: 1 day in the fridge
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Cooked turkey: 3 to 4 days in the fridge
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Thawed turkey: 1 to 2 days in the fridge before cooking
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Frozen turkey: 1 year in the freezer (don’t go by the sell by date)
Follow the cold chain. Refrigerate promptly after purchase and cook within the recommended time frames. Discard turkey that shows any signs of spoilage.
By properly storing turkey and watching fridge life, you can enjoy your holiday bird without worries of foodborne illness. Just make sure to thoroughly reheat turkey to 165°F and don’t leave leftovers sitting out over two hours.
With proper handling, you can safely enjoy delicious turkey on any occasion from casual meals to big holiday feasts. Have a great turkey meal!
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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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.
Ask the Test Kitchen: How Long Will Meat Last in the Fridge?
FAQ
Can I keep an uncooked turkey in the fridge for a week?
Is it okay to eat turkey that’s been in the fridge for 2 weeks?
Can turkey last 5 days in the fridge?
Can I buy a fresh turkey a week before Thanksgiving?
How long does uncooked Turkey last?
The shelf life of uncooked turkey depends on a few factors, including the type of turkey, the storage temperature, and the packaging. * Whole turkeys will last for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. * Boneless, skinless turkey breasts will last for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. * Ground turkey will last for up to 2 days in the refrigerator.
How long does Turkey last in the fridge?
Turkey can last between 1-4 days in the fridge depending on whether it was previously cooked or not. Food that is not properly stored in the fridge can quickly spoil and cause bacteria growth. That’s why it’s important to know how different long types of food will last in the fridge to keep you safe and away from food poisoning.
How long does a frozen turkey last?
Keeping it in its original packaging, set your bird on a rimmed container to catch any juices. In a refrigerator set to 40 degrees F or below, it generally takes one day for every 4 pounds to thaw a fully frozen turkey. Once thawed, your turkey will keep in the fridge for up to two days.
How long does leftover Turkey last in the freezer?
The general consensus is that most food can safely be kept in the freezer indefinitely, but the USDA recommends consuming most frozen foods within two to six months for the best quality, depending on what you’re freezing.
Can You Refrigerate a Turkey after it thaws?
Freeze the turkey if you don’t plan on cooking it before it expires. Keep undated turkeys refrigerated for up to 2 days after they thaw. A turkey is safe in the refrigerator until it fully thaws. After that, it stays fresh for a few extra days as long as it is still in its original packaging.
How do you store uncooked Turkey?
Uncooked turkey should be stored in a location with good airflow, such as in the refrigerator crisper drawer. To store uncooked turkey properly, follow these tips: * Refrigerate the turkey as soon as possible after purchase. Do not leave it out at room temperature for more than two hours.