As a Texas native and Greenberg smoked turkey lover. I get asked this question a lot once the holidays roll around how long does a Greenberg turkey last after you take it out of the package?
While Greenberg smokers may be a Lone Star State specialty, their mail-order turkeys have gained fans nationwide for their signature hickory smoked flavor. But when your Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner stretches into a week of leftovers, you need to know how to store a Greenberg properly for maximum freshness and flavor.
In this complete guide, I’ll share Greenberg refrigerator and freezer storage times reheating methods and tips for repurposing your leftovers into amazing recipes. Follow these guidelines so you can keep enjoying your Greenberg well past the initial feast!
How Long Does an Unopened Greenberg Turkey Last?
A fresh Greenberg turkey arrives frozen at your doorstep. The smoking process cooks the meat fully before it’s frozen for delivery.
An unopened, commercially frozen Greenberg turkey will stay fresh in your freezer for one year past the sell-by date printed on the packaging.
Once thawed, Greenberg says their turkeys will keep for 7 days in the refrigerator. I’ve found well-wrapped leftovers can even last up to 10 days if your fridge temperature is dialed in correctly.
Thawing a Frozen Greenberg Turkey
Patience is a virtue when it comes to thawing a frozen bird. Greenberg highly recommends thawing turkey in the refrigerator as opposed to cold water or the microwave.
Here is their recommended thawing schedule:
- 10-12 lb turkey: Thaw for 2-3 days
- 12-16 lb turkey: Thaw for 3-4 days
- 16-20 lb turkey: Thaw for 4-5 days
- 20-24 lb turkey: Thaw for 5-6 days
The chilled 40°F refrigerator environment helps prevent bacterial growth during the thaw. Just remove your Greenberg from its commercial packaging, place it on a rimmed baking sheet, and let the process happen slowly over multiple days.
Once thawed, the turkey is ready to enjoy immediately or can be refrigerated another 5-7 days before cooking.
How to Store Cooked Greenberg Leftovers
Let’s say your Greenberg turkey feeds a crowd on Thanksgiving with plenty of meat leftover. Follow these storage steps to safely enjoy Greenberg leftovers for a week or more:
Refrigerating Leftovers
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Allow the cooked turkey to cool at room temperature for 1-2 hours after carving. This helps prevent moisture condensation when you refrigerate it.
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Slice turkey meat from the bones and store it in shallow airtight containers. This helps food chill quickly in the fridge.
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Refrigerate carved turkey meat within 2 hours after cooking. The 40°F temperature prevents bacterial growth.
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Use refrigerated turkey within 3-4 days for peak quality and flavor. Slice off the meat as needed.
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Make sure your refrigerator is consistently around 40°F. Use a fridge thermometer and adjust the temperature control as needed.
Freezing Leftovers
For longer term leftovers storage, aim to freeze your Greenberg meat within 1-2 days after refrigerating:
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Portion turkey meat into freezer bags or airtight containers in serving sizes. Remove as much air as possible.
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Freeze turkey no longer than 2-3 months for best texture and moisture.
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Thaw frozen turkey in the refrigerator 1-2 days before use. Cook within another 1-2 days.
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You can also reheat frozen Greenberg turkey pieces directly in soups, casseroles and other dishes. Just allow extra cooking time.
Storage Duration Summary
Here’s a quick reference for Greenberg smoked turkey storage:
- Unopened in freezer: 1 year past sell-by date
- Thawed in fridge: 7 days
- Cooked in fridge: 3-4 days
- Cooked in freezer: 2-3 months
With proper storage, you’ll have Greenberg leftovers to enjoy for sandwiches, soups, salads, and more all week long after the big feast.
Safe Handling Practices
Always follow safe food handling practices when working with cooked turkey:
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Wash hands, prep surfaces, cutting boards, dishes and utensils thoroughly before and after contact.
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Keep raw turkey separated from other foods in your grocery cart and fridge to prevent cross-contamination.
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Use separate plates and utensils for handling raw and cooked turkey. Never reuse them until after washing.
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Cook stuffing to 165°F if not baked inside the turkey. Let it rest 5 minutes before serving.
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Cook turkey pieces to 165°F. Check temperature with a food thermometer in the thickest part.
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Refrigerate or freeze all leftovers within 2 hours after cooking or carving. Toss any turkey left at room temp longer.
How to Reheat Greenberg Turkey
Enjoy your Greenberg leftovers warmed through with these quick reheating methods:
Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F. Place turkey slices or pieces in an oven-safe dish, add a splash of water or broth, cover with foil. Heat 15-20 minutes until 165°F.
Microwave: Put turkey slices or shredded meat in a microwave-safe dish, cover, and heat in 30 second bursts until hot, 165°F. Check temperature with a food thermometer.
Stovetop: For turkey pieces, heat in a skillet over medium until warmed through, 5-10 minutes. Shredded or sliced turkey can be quickly reheated in soups, curries and other dishes with extra liquid.
Grill: Make turkey tacos, sandwiches or skewers. Heat pre-cooked turkey directly on a hot grill just until marks appear and meat is hot.
Do not re-smoke Greenberg turkey or add more wood chips, as the fully cooked meat can over-dry. Simply warm leftovers gently to enjoy.
Getting Creative with Leftovers
Bored of the same old turkey sandwiches and casseroles? Greenberg’s rich, smoky flavor lends itself to all sorts of global cuisine. Here are some fun ways to reinvent the leftovers:
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Turkey Bibimbap: Korean rice bowl with veggies, fried egg and spicy gochujang sauce.
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Turkey Tikka Masala: Golden curry loaded with tender turkey in an incredible garlic-tomato sauce.
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Turkey Tortilla Soup: Southwest flavors of green chile, chicken broth, black beans and more.
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Turkey Pot Stickers: Ground turkey and veggies in tender dumplings, pan fried or steamed.
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Turkey Tetrazzini: A creamy baked pasta casserole loaded with turkey, mushrooms and parmesan.
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Turkey Enchiladas: Corn tortillas stuffed with turkey, cheese, onions, peppers and sauce.
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Turkey Banh Mi: Vietnamese sandwich with turkey, pickled carrots, cucumber, cilantro and chili mayo.
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Turkey Rice Bowl: Shredded turkey, brown rice, shredded vegetables, avocado and a fried egg.
The flavor versatility of Greenberg turkey means you don’t have to get bored with leftovers. Try international recipes, or give the meat a rest and make bone broth or turkey soup.
Storing and Reheating Carved Greenberg Bones
Don’t throw away your Greenberg bones after carving! Use them to make your own turkey bone broth.
After carving the meat, refrigerate the turkey skeleton within 2 hours. Place bones and scraps of meat in a large sealable bag or container.
Refrigerate up to 4 days before making broth. Or, freeze bones immediately up to 6 months (no meat attached).
To make turkey broth, place bones in a pot with water, onion, carrot, celery, herbs and peppercorns. Simmer 2-3 hours, strain, cool and refrigerate.
You can also debone turkey pieces, mix with broth and reheat gently in a skillet. This keeps the lean meat extra moist and tender.
How Long Do Leftover Greenberg Meals Last?
Any cooked dishes made with your Greenberg leftovers have the same short shelf life as plain turkey meat:
- 3-4 days in the refrigerator
- 2-3 months in the freezer
The ingredients with the shortest shelf life will determine how long your creations last. For example, leftover turkey fried rice with fresh veggies won’t keep as long as turkey casseroles.
Make sure all ingredients are fresh before cooking. Portion and refrigerate individual servings in shallow containers for fast, safe cooling. Reheat fully when ready to eat.
Signs Your Leftovers Have Spoiled
Monitor both refrigerated and frozen Greenberg leftovers for signs of spoilage:
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Change in color, from pink or red to gray or green
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Off odors, especially sour, sulfurous smells
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Mold growth on meat or broth
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Textural changes like very dry, cracked meat
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Slimy feel and appearance on the turkey skin
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Frozen turkey with large ice crystals or freezer burn
When in doubt, remember the old adage: “When cold turkey’s turning
The Posse’s Guide to your first Greenberg Turkey
There’s nothing like a Greenberg Smoked Turkey. Keep that in mind if you’re about to enjoy your first one.
Most folks are caught off guard by their first bite of a Greenberg turkey. That’s because most people think of “smoked turkey” as that beige, bland lunch meat sold at the supermarket deli counter.
Whatever that stuff is, it’s nothing like the hickory-smoked turkeys that the Greenberg family has been producing for more than 80 years in Tyler, Texas.
A Greenberg turkey has a rich, deep, complex flavor. It’s smoky and spicy, bold and peppery.
It’s delicious. But it’s different.
It’s not what most newcomers expect.
They shouldn’t worry if that first bite seems strange. By the second bite, most people find that they’re falling in love.
There’s a reason such a mystique has developed around this Texas culinary classic, the odd-looking, smoky-smelling bird in a box known as “The Holiday Aristocrat.”
If you’re wondering what all the fuss is about, if you’re thinking about ordering one, or if you got one as a holiday gift and aren’t quite sure what to make of it, this is for you: The Texas BBQ Posse’s Guide to Your First Greenberg Turkey.
It’s supposed to look like that.
When you unpack a Greenberg turkey, the first thing you’ll notice (after the smell of wood smoke) is its strange color. The company calls it “mahogany,” a much better marketing term than “dark brown” or “really dark brown” or “the color a turkey would be if you put it in the oven at 400 degrees and forgot about it overnight.”
The dark color doesn’t mean your bird is burned. The deep browning is a natural result of Greenberg’s singular smoking process.
What To Expect When Expecting a Greenberg!
FAQ
How long can smoked turkey last in the fridge?
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