For many of us, turkey is the centerpiece of festive meals, especially during the holidays. However, upon opening a package of raw turkey, you may notice a less-than-appetizing odor emanating from the meat. This can be surprising given that fresh poultry doesn’t usually have a strong smell. So what causes that foul, offensive scent? Let’s explore the main reasons turkey can take on unpleasant aromas.
The Culprits Behind Turkey’s Foul Smells
There are two key factors that create stinky smells in raw turkey meat:
Vacuum-Packed Packaging
This is the most common source of bad turkey smells. To extend shelf life, turkey is often packaged in vacuum-sealed or cryovac packaging. Removing oxygen prevents spoilage, but it also causes turkey to release tangy, unpleasant juices. The longer the turkey is vacuum-packed, the more intense the smell can become. This happens especially with large cuts like whole turkeys.
Actual Meat Spoilage
The other reason for turkey smell is genuine spoilage. If the odor is rancid, persists after opening the package, or the meat shows other signs of going bad, then it is likely spoiled.
Identifying Spoiled vs. Packaged Turkey
Since the source of the smell makes a big difference in whether the turkey is safe to eat, here are some ways to identify if it’s just the packaging or actual spoilage:
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Let it breathe – If vacuum-packed, the smell should diminish after exposure to air. If the scent remains, it’s more likely spoiled.
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Check the color – Off-colors like gray, green hues, or very dark turkey can signify spoilage.
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Feel the texture – Slimey, sticky, or overly-soft meat indicates bacteria growth and spoiling.
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Watch the expiration date – Don’t risk eating expired turkey even if other signs seem okay.
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When in doubt, throw it out – Don’t taste meat you suspect may be spoiled
Remedying Smelly Packaged Turkey
If vacuum-packing is the likely source of the odor, there are ways to improve the smell before cooking:
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Remove turkey from packaging and let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to 1 hour so smells dissipate,
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Pat turkey dry with paper towels to absorb smelly surface juices.
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Avoid seasoning or marinating until smell decreases so flavors don’t set in.
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Rinse gently if needed, but be extremely careful not to splash bacteria around your sink.
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Cook as planned once aired out. The smells should cook away.
Why Ground Turkey Can Smell Bad
The same principles apply to ground turkey. While fresh ground turkey has a very mild meaty scent, persistent foul odors likely signify spoilage. Ground meat’s greater surface area exposed to air causes it to spoil rapidly. Never rinse ground meat as this spreads bacteria easily. Discard if smells seem off.
Trust Your Nose
Ultimately, use caution with any raw poultry that smells unpleasant or “off” despite remedying attempts. Don’t risk foodborne illness if turkey seems spoiled. While packaging can cause temporary odors, trust your senses if the smell lingers or seems rancid. Discard turkey that is past expiration, appears slimy or discolored, or gives you any doubts.
Hopefully these tips will help you understand turkey’s distinctive aromas. While vacuum-packing can cause temporary foul smells, be wary of any persistent foul odors that could indicate spoilage. Rely on your senses, stay safe, and enjoy your holiday feasts!
Tips for Storing Ground Turkey
- 1 Keep ground turkey refrigerated until you cook it. Put raw meat in a plastic container or a sheet pan before setting it in your fridge so the juices and bacteria don’t contaminate any other food.[8] Make sure your fridge is set below 40 °F (4 °C) so bacteria doesn’t form as quickly.[9]
- 2 Thaw frozen turkey in the fridge overnight. If you put your ground turkey in the freezer, take it out the night before and put it in your fridge so the temperature slowly rises. That way, your turkey never goes into the “danger zone,” which are higher temperatures where bacteria grow and cause the meat to spoil.
- If you’re using the ground turkey right away, you can put it in the microwave.
- Chunks of ground turkey smaller than a golf ball will break down and cook through when you heat it up.
- 3 Refrigerate cooked ground turkey within 2 hours of cooking it. Try to put away any leftovers as soon as you’re finished cooking so you don’t risk any spoilage. Keep your ground turkey in airtight containers and label them with the date. Try to finish all your cooked ground turkey within 1–2 days while it’s still fresh and safe to eat.[10]
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Things You Should Know
- Check if your turkey has a bad sour-smelling odor to know if it’s spoiled.
- Toss out your ground turkey if it has a slimy texture.
- Get rid of ground turkey if it darkens or dulls to a dark gray color, a sure sign it’s gone bad.
The Reason: Why Does Ground Turkey Smell Bad
FAQ
Is it normal for a turkey to smell?
It should not smell of anything when fresh and uncooked. I guess smelling like turkey when your cooking it is a good thing. How much it smells would depend on how much you brown it or cook it for and the quality of the bird. I often find organic meat has more odor when cooked.
How to tell if a turkey is spoiled?
“Consumers can tell leftover turkey has spoiled by using their senses,” says Snyder. “Refrigerated turkey leftovers that have spoiled may be slimy or have a bad smell.” If the turkey has been stored in the freezer, you will be able to tell if it is no longer safe to eat if it is discolored, tough, or dry.
What does bad deli turkey smell like?
- Sour: This is the most common descriptor for spoiled deli meat, similar to the smell of old yogurt.
- Pungent: The smell can be quite strong and noticeable.
- Ammonia-like: In some cases, a slightly ammonia-like odor might be present.
- Unfamiliar: If the smell is significantly different from fresh turkey, it’s likely not safe to eat.
Can meat smell bad and still be good?
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Slight odor is normal:Raw meat can have a natural, slightly metallic smell, but it shouldn’t be pungent or offensive.
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Check for other signs:Besides smell, look for discoloration, slimy texture, or visible mold to confirm if meat has gone bad.
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When in doubt, throw it out:If you are unsure about the quality of meat due to a noticeable odor, it’s best to discard it to avoid potential food poisoning.
Why does my Ground turkey smell bad?
The meat may also start smelling stale or sour due to the same reason. Therefore, the bad smell has nothing to do with the ground meat going stale. Instead, it is because of vacuum-sealed packaging, and your turkey is safe to eat. If you haven’t stored the ground turkey meat properly, it may pick up the smell of other foods in your refrigerator.
Does ground turkey smell sour?
Fresh ground turkey has a very mild, slightly gamey, or poultry scent. If it starts to smell sour, metallic, or reminiscent of ammonia, it’s time to toss it. How do I tell if ground turkey is bad after cooking? Even after cooking, bad turkey retains its unpleasant odor. Why does my Turkey smell sour?
How do you know if a Turkey has a smell?
An easy way is to use your nose. When you first buy turkey straight from the butcher or grocery store it should have very minimal odor. Raw poultry like chicken and turkey has a mild “meaty” scent when fresh. Ground turkey may have a slightly stronger smell just due to being ground up.
Does raw turkey smell bad?
But generally, raw turkey that smells neutral not unpleasant, is still good to cook. If you unwrap a package of fresh, raw turkey and notice a strong, foul odor, that’s a sign it has already started to spoil. Meat goes bad when harmful bacteria start multiplying quickly. These bacteria give off chemicals that cause strong, distinctive foul smells.
Why does my Turkey taste bad after a few days?
If you feel surprised at the sudden change in texture, color, or smell of your packed turkey meat after a few days of refrigeration, you most likely bought an expired and already bad turkey pack. Also, note that fresh ground turkey meat spoils faster.
Why does my Turkey smell sour?
If you detect a sour or any off-putting odor, it’s a clear sign the turkey isn’t safe to eat. If it’s been stored improperly or for too long, bacteria can grow, leading to an off-putting smell. This bacterial growth can be due to temperature fluctuations in the fridge or simply the turkey being past its use-by date.