The sell by date on turkey can be confusing. While it provides a recommended deadline for stores to sell turkey by, it doesn’t actually indicate when the turkey will go bad. With proper storage, turkey can safely be eaten for a period of time after the sell by date. But how long exactly is turkey still good for after the sell by passes?
Understanding Turkey Sell By Dates
The sell by date is not an expiration date or safety date. It is provided voluntarily by turkey manufacturers to inform retailers when the product will reach peak freshness and quality. It allows stores to manage inventory byrotated stock so the freshest turkey is on the shelves.
Once purchased the consumer has 1-2 days to either cook or freeze the turkey. The sell by date does not indicate spoilage only loss of freshness beyond the printed date. Turkey that has been continuously refrigerated can typically last 1-2 days past this date if consumed soon after.
Freezing Turkey To Extend Shelf Life
For maximum shelf life, freeze turkey within 1-2 days of purchasing, rather than waiting until the sell by date. Frozen properly in an airtight package, turkey can last 6-12 months in the freezer without compromising safety or quality.
It’s best to freeze turkey before the sell by for optimum freshness. But frozen at any point up until the turkey shows signs of spoilage, frozen storage will safely preserve turkey up to a year beyond any sell by or best by dates.
Once thawed, turkey must be cooked and eaten within 3-5 days for food safety. Do not refreeze raw turkey once it has been thawed
Signs Turkey Has Spoiled
The sell by date is not definitive in determining when turkey has spoiled. Here are some ways to identify if turkey has gone bad:
- Slimy, sticky or tacky texture
- Noticeable odor – sour, ammonia, sulfurous
- Mold growth – dry or fuzzy
- Discoloration
- Greyish or greenish tint
Turkey developing these characteristics should be discarded, even if the sell by date has not passed. Rely on observation and smell rather than the date alone.
Proper Turkey Storage
To maximize turkey’s shelf life and safety after the sell by date, proper storage is crucial:
- Refrigerate at 40°F or below
- Freeze at 0°F or below
- Store in sealed airtight packaging
- Wrap tightly or seal container to prevent freezer burn
- Avoid cross-contamination
- Monitor for signs of spoilage after sell by
Proper refrigeration and freezing inhibit bacteria growth and preserve freshness longer.
Can You Cook Turkey After Sell By Date?
Thorough cooking eliminates any bacteria that could be present on raw turkey. Turkey that shows no obvious spoilage can be safely cooked and eaten after the sell by date as long as it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
However, quality declines after the sell by date, so the texture and flavor will progressively lessen over time. It’s best to cook turkey as soon as possible after purchasing for optimal taste and freshness.
The Takeaway
While the sell by provides a helpful guide for stores, it does not define when turkey becomes unsafe to eat. With proper refrigeration, fresh turkey can maintain quality 1-2 days past the date on the package. For extended shelf life, freeze by the sell by date, then thaw and cook within 3-5 days.
Rely on observation, temperature control, and safe food handling over the date alone. Cook thoroughly, and if signs of spoilage appear, when in doubt, throw it out – no matter what the calendar says. Following basic food safety practices, turkey can be safely enjoyed beyond the sell by date.
Dates on meat packages – Sell by, use by, freeze by, packaged on, expiration date
Ever wonder why different food has different indicator dates on the package and what they mean?
It can be really confusing to look at an indicator date on a package and see a variety of different terms. If there is a misunderstanding of what the date means, the safety of the food product and those consuming it could be compromised. Michigan State University Extension recommends keeping your refrigerator at the proper temperature, less than 40 degrees Fahrenheit. It is important that continuous refrigerated or frozen storage be used with meat products that are not shelf stable.
Sell by – This creates an easy date for the retailer to know when the product has to be removed from their shelf and disposed of instead of being sold. In general, consumers have one to three days to use that meat product if it is fresh before there would be concern from a safety standpoint. Typically retailers will mark down the price of a product if the sell by date is near. That can create an opportunity for consumers to purchase something that is still acceptable from a safety and quality standpoint at a bargain as long as the consumer goes home and uses the product right away.
Use by/Freeze by – This type of dating system is clearest for the consumer. If it is a fresh product, it needs to be consumed on or before the use by date on the package or frozen if additional storage time is desired. Frozen storage times for meat can vary from one to 12 months depending on the species (chicken, turkey, pork, lamb, beef) from a quality aspect. If the product is frozen and kept frozen, safety does not become an issue.
Packaged on – This type of date is often used on fresh meat but also leaves the most room for confusion or error on behalf of the consumer. Most fresh meat can be stored at refrigerated temperatures for up to three days after packaging in typical meat tray overwrap style or butcher paper wrap packaging. Longer storage time of up to seven days from retail purchase can be used if the product is vacuum packaged with a good seal and the air is removed from the package.
Expiration date – For consumers, expiration dates are very user friendly. Simply, the product needs to be used on or before the expiration date from a safety standpoint. These types of dates are not as common on meat packages but are found with some processed meat products.
Another question that is common relates to processed meat products. Once a processed meat product (ham, hot dog, lunchmeat, etc.) package is opened, the product should be good for up to seven days unless another type of date is on the package and has passed. After the seven days, the product should not be consumed. That means if a package of hot dogs is opened up and a few are prepared and eaten, within seven days the rest of the hot dogs need to be eaten or the remaining ones can be frozen. If you go to the deli and received sliced lunchmeat, eat that within seven days.
Stay on top of dates and acceptable storage times to reduce food waste. But when in doubt, throw it out.
What Sell-By Dates Actually Mean
FAQ
Is turkey still good after 6 days in fridge?
How many days after sell by date is deli turkey good?
How long do you have after the sell-by date?
How do I know if a turkey has gone bad?
How long after sell-by date should a Turkey be cooked?
However, the quality of the turkey will start to decline after the sell-by date, so it is best to cook it within a few days of purchase. The sell-by date is determined by the USDA, and it is based on the following factors: The USDA recommends that fresh turkeys be cooked within 1-2 days of purchase.
Can you eat a Turkey after a sell-by date?
The fresh turkey sell-by date is not a safety date, and it does not mean that the turkey is no longer good to eat after that date. However, the quality of the turkey will start to decline after the sell-by date, so it is best to cook it within a few days of purchase.
How long can a frozen turkey last?
The USDA recommends that fresh turkeys be cooked within 1-2 days of purchase. Frozen turkeys can be stored for up to 1 year in a freezer that is set to 0F or below. It is important to note that the sell-by date is not the same as the expiration date. The expiration date is the last day that the turkey can be safely eaten.
What is a fresh turkey sell-by date?
The fresh turkey sell-by date is the last day that the turkey can be sold in stores. It is not a safety date, and it does not mean that the turkey is no longer good to eat after that date. However, the quality of the turkey will start to decline after the sell-by date, so it is best to cook it within a few days of purchase.