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 crowning jewel of many holiday meals is a beautifully roasted turkey. But after everyone has eaten their fill there are inevitably leftovers. At that point, it’s important to know how long cooked turkey lasts in the fridge to avoid wasting food or accidentally consuming turkey that is past its prime.
I did some research into food safety guidelines to provide a definitive answer on how many days cooked turkey can be refrigerated. Here is what the experts say, along with tips to store turkey correctly.
USDA Recommendations for Refrigerating Cooked Turkey
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) offers recommendations on the shelf life of various foods through their FoodKeeper app. This peer-reviewed tool was developed by food scientists to reduce food waste by providing guidance on proper storage.
According to the USDA, cooked turkey stored in the refrigerator:
- Can last for 3-4 days
- Should be kept at 40°F or below
They note that these timelines refer to quality rather than safety. Turkey may still be safe to eat after 4 days, but the texture and flavor will deteriorate. Freezing is recommended for longer term storage.
What Food Safety Experts Say
Food safety experts seem to align with the 3-4 day USDA guidelines for refrigerating leftover turkey. Let’s look at what a few have to say:
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The Institute of Culinary Education recommends consuming refrigerated turkey within 3 days.
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On the Butterball Turkey website, their Butterball Turkey Talk-Line experts also advise eating refrigerated leftover turkey within 3-4 days.
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The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommends using cooked turkey within 3 days when refrigerated.
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The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service notes that cooked turkey can be refrigerated for 3-4 days.
The consensus across food safety resources is that turkey is optimally safe and tasty when consumed within 3-4 days of refrigeration. Of course, you should rely on your senses too – if it smells bad or looks slimy, it’s best to throw it out regardless of how long it’s been.
Proper Refrigeration Temperatures
To get the full 3-4 days of shelf life, leftover turkey needs to be refrigerated properly at 40°F or colder. Here are some fridge storage tips:
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Make sure your refrigerator is set to 40°F or below. Use a thermometer to verify.
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Refrigerate turkey within 2 hours of cooking. Cut whole turkeys into smaller pieces first so they can chill quickly.
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Place turkey in shallow airtight containers to allow for rapid cooling.
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Don’t overfill the fridge, as this reduces air circulation.
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Use turkey within 3-4 days even if refrigerated correctly the whole time.
Signs Your Refrigerated Turkey Has Spoiled
Although refrigeration prolongs the shelf life, turkey won’t last forever. Be on the lookout for these signs that refrigerated cooked turkey has gone bad:
- Slimy or sticky texture
- Grayish color
- Off odor
- Dried out, tacky appearance
Err on the side of caution – if your leftover turkey exhibits any odd qualities like this upon refrigeration, throw it away. Don’t taste it!
Food Safety First
The experts seem to agree that 3-4 days is the maximum for refrigerating already cooked turkey. I recommend eating it within 3 days to be extra safe. Following proper refrigeration guidelines and using your senses will help prevent foodborne illness.
Turkey can last for months in the freezer, so freeze any turkey you won’t use within 3-4 days. With proper refrigerated storage, you can safely enjoy delicious leftover turkey for almost a week! Just make sure to listen to the turkey – if it seems sketchy, give your leftovers the boot.
Key Takeaways on Refrigerating Cooked Turkey:
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Cooked turkey lasts 3-4 days max in the refrigerator.
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It should be refrigerated at 40°F or below.
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Slice whole turkeys and refrigerate in shallow containers within 2 hours after cooking.
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Signs of spoiled turkey: smell, slime, stickiness, odd color, dried out texture.
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For longer storage, freeze turkey immediately in airtight containers.
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Trust your senses – if it seems off, throw it out!
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.
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.
Ask the Test Kitchen: How Long Will Meat Last in the Fridge?
FAQ
Is leftover turkey good after 7 days?
Can a turkey sit in the fridge for 5 days?
How long after Thanksgiving is it safe to eat turkey?
Can you keep a whole turkey in the fridge for a week?
How long does a cooked turkey last in the fridge?
When stored in the refrigerator, turkey does not last as long. Snyder points to the USDA FoodKeeper app for best guidance: The tool notes that refrigerated, cooked turkey should be eaten within 4 days. Eat frozen turkey leftovers within 6 months for premier quality.
How long does cooked turkey last after being frozen and thawed?
Cooked turkey that has been thawed in the fridge can be kept for an additional 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator before cooking; turkey that was thawed in the microwave or in cold water should be eaten immediately.
How do you store a Turkey in the freezer?
To store turkey in the freezer, wrap it tightly in heavy-duty aluminum foil, or use an airtight freezer bag or container to prevent freezer burn. 5. Can I eat turkey that has been stored in the freezer for a long time?
Can you freeze cooked turkey?
The USDA says you can safely freeze cooked turkey for 3 to 4 months. While it’s technically safe to freeze it longer, the quality will start to deteriorate. Pro tip: Freeze the turkey in smaller portions for easier thawing and use. Don’t forget to label and date your frozen turkey so you know how long it’s been hanging out in the freezer.