Is it really Thanksgiving if you don’t wind up with leftovers? For many of us, that too much is just enough, because the actual best parts of the holiday are the meals that follow the original turkey feast. I’ll be honest and admit that I look forward to my Thanksgiving leftovers sandwich more than the holiday meal itself. But perhaps you’ve faced the remnants of that gorgeous, golden turkey centerpiece and debated the best way to store it, keeping safety (and flavor!) in mind. How long can you actually keep turkey in the fridge? Should some of the meat be frozen right away?
While you’re clearing the table and beginning to wash dishes, thinking about what you’re going to do with all that leftover turkey, here’s what you need to know.
The holiday season is a time for celebrating with family, friends, and plenty of delicious food. For many, a highlight is the perfectly roasted turkey centerpiece. But with a bird that big, leftovers are pretty much guaranteed. So how long is leftover turkey safe to eat? Follow this guide for tips on proper storage and handling to enjoy your leftovers safely.
How Long Does Leftover Turkey Last in the Fridge and Freezer?
According to the USDA, cooked turkey stored in the fridge will stay safe to eat for 3 to 4 days. To maximize this time, it’s best to carve the turkey off the bone and store it in shallow airtight containers soon after cooking. This allows the meat to cool quickly and evenly.
For longer storage, the freezer is your friend. Frozen leftovers will maintain quality for 2 to 6 months. Take advantage of your freezer space by dividing turkey into smaller portions in freezer bags. Don’t forget to label with contents and date!
Keep in mind, the fridge only slows bacteria growth; it doesn’t stop it. Trust your senses- if leftovers smell funky or appear slimy, err on the side of caution and toss them
Safety Tips for Handling and Reheating Leftover Turkey
Proper handling is key for delicious and safe leftovers. Remember the 2 hour rule- refrigerate all leftovers within 2 hours of coming off the heat. This prevents bacteria from multiplying in the danger zone between 40°F-140°F.
When reheating, cook to an internal temperature of 165°F. It’s safe to reheat frozen turkey without thawing first. Just allow extra time. Cover dishes to retain moisture and ensure even heating.
For stuffing and gravy, use refrigerated leftovers within 1-2 days and reheat thoroughly to 165°F If freezing, they’ll last 2-3 months with quality
Creative and Delicious Ways to Use Up Leftover Turkey
Beyond the classic turkey sandwich, get creative with leftovers! Here are some tasty options:
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Hearty turkey noodle soup – simmer turkey, veggies and noodles in broth.
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Turkey tetrazzini – turkey and pasta baked in a creamy cheese sauce.
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Turkey tacos – fun taco night twist! Top tortillas with shredded turkey, salsa and fixings.
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Turkey salad – toss shredded turkey with mayo, celery, cranberries, and nuts for sandwiches or wraps.
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Turkey pot pie – top a flaky crust with turkey, veggies, and gravy.
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Turkey casserole – combine turkey, rice or potatoes, veggies, and cheese.
Don’t toss the carcass! Simmer it with veggies to make nutrient rich turkey broth for future soups, stews and gravies.
Signs Your Leftovers Have Spoiled
Rely on your senses to determine if leftovers are past their prime. Look for changes in color, texture and smell:
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Slimy appearance or texture
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Funky sour odor
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Mold growth – discard moldy food
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Unusual colors – green, blue, black
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Dry, shriveled meat
When in doubt, remember it’s better to be safe than sick. Don’t taste questionable leftovers. As the saying goes, “When in doubt, throw it out!”
Key Takeaways for Enjoying Leftovers Safely
Follow these tips for your health, wallet and environment:
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Refrigerate within 2 hours
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Store turkey up to 4 days in fridge, 2 to 6 months in freezer
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Reheat thoroughly to 165°F
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Divide into small portions for quick cooling
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Use freezer bags and airtight containers
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Label with date and contents
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Check for signs of spoilage before eating
With proper handling, you can safely enjoy your Thanksgiving turkey for days or even weeks after the big feast. Just remember to keep it refrigerated at 40°F or below. Trust your eyes and nose to make the final call on leftovers. When cared for properly, they’re delicious – not dangerous. Happy feasting!
We’ve still got half a bird!
You’re not alone. Whether you’re buying a frozen Butterball turkey, a heritage bird from your local butcher shop, or a smaller turkey breast, leftovers are almost a given. According to a 2011 USDA study, around 35% of turkey is wasted each year, so understanding how to best store your leftovers goes a long way to reducing the amount of turkey that ends up in landfills and compost heaps. That statistic feels even larger when you learn that the National Turkey Federation reports that 88% of Americans eat turkey on Thanksgiving, and Butterball’s senior brand manager Chad McFadden notes that 79% of consumers surveyed for a 2023 report planned to buy a whole bird. McFadden also says that the most popular Thanksgiving turkey option weighs between 16 and 20 pounds, and the average guest count for the holiday is nine people, with a suggested estimate of 1 to 1.5 pounds of turkey per person. After we do some quick turkey math, this suggests that, generally, households have somewhere between 2.5 and 11 pounds of turkey and turkey bones left after the Thursday Thanksgiving feast. That’s a lot of sandwiches.
How long does turkey last in the fridge?
With your leftovers sitting in front of you, the first step in smart turkey storage is to think about what you’re going to do with them. Do you have a leftover turkey recipe that you’re already planning to try for Friday dinner? Or would you like to keep that delicious turkey in reserve for sometime down the road? Even though you may be exhausted from a day or two of cooking, entertaining and feasting, it’s still best to deal with your turkey in one way or another as soon as possible.
From a food safety perspective, it’s important to minimize the time your turkey spends in the “Danger Zone,” or between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit. The USDA notes that food has a limit of two hours at room temperature before bacteria growth becomes an issue.
Asking the experts how long cooked turkey keeps in the fridge yields a range of answers. LG’s resident culinary expert Brian Karam recommends capping it at one to two days, but also suggests that “time can be maximized by keeping larger pieces whole and not making them smaller before refrigerating, [as] smaller pieces are more susceptible to air exposure and could hasten spoilage in refrigerator.” Aly Forster of Diestel Family Ranch says “you will want to consume within three to four days.” The USDA’s guidelines state that “Thanksgiving leftovers are safe to eat up to four days in the refrigerator.” At the furthest end of the spectrum, Patrick L. Guzzle, vice president of food science at the National Restaurant Association says that “seven days is the maximum time recommended for cooked foods to be stored in the refrigerator.”
The wide variation in answers largely comes down to the difference between food safety and food quality. Guzzle points out that “Food safety is primarily concerned with harmful microbiological organisms, [and] may veer from what an average consumer might consider for quality (i.e., taste, texture, aroma, etc.)” Fortunately, Forster adds, “We like to say ‘poultry isn’t shy’—one whiff easily lets you know if that meat is still wholesome!” Ultimately, when using leftovers, Forster concludes, you’ll need to use your best judgment to determine how long you feel comfortable within this range. Be sure, she notes, to “inspect the turkey for any signs of spoilage.” Or as I like to say, “When in doubt, throw it out.”
If you’ve only got enough turkey left for a few sandwiches and a batch of turkey jook, keeping your leftover meat in the fridge will be enough. But if you have enough for a couple more full feasts, then you’ll want to think about freezing that turkey for the future.
How long is leftover turkey good for in the fridge?
FAQ
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