If you’re looking to extend the life of some turkey you’ve stocked up on, you might be wondering: how long does turkey last in the fridge, and how long does turkey last in the freezer? Read on to learn the basics of storing turkey for later use.
For many of us, turkey is a staple of holiday meals and gatherings. Whether you’re cooking a whole bird for Thanksgiving or have turkey leftovers after a family feast, knowing how to store turkey properly is crucial for food safety.
I’m often asked, “How long can you keep a turkey in the fridge?” The answer depends on a few factors, which I’ll explain in detail below. Whether it’s a fresh or cooked turkey, raw or leftover, following proper refrigerator storage times will ensure your turkey stays fresh and reduces the risk of foodborne illness.
Storing a Fresh Raw Turkey
When storing a fresh, raw whole turkey in the fridge, it’s best to follow the USDA’s recommended storage times. Here’s a quick overview:
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Store the raw turkey in its original wrapping Do not rinse it before refrigeration, as this can promote bacteria growth.
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Place the turkey on a tray or pan to catch any juices that may leak Do not let the turkey juices drip onto other foods
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Store the turkey in the coldest part of your fridge, usually the bottom shelf or in a designated meat drawer. The temperature should be 40°F or below.
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An unopened fresh turkey can be stored in the fridge for 1-2 days max.
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A opened fresh turkey should only be kept refrigerated for 1 day.
As you can see, raw poultry has a relatively short fridge life. I recommend cooking or freezing the turkey within 1-2 days of purchasing it. Freezing can extend the shelf life to several months.
If the turkey smells bad or has changed color, it may be spoiled and is no longer safe to cook. When in doubt, remember the old adage: “When in doubt, throw it out.” Don’t risk getting sick from eating spoiled turkey.
Leftover Cooked Turkey Storage
Leftover cooked turkey also has fridge storage time limits. Here are the standard recommendations:
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Store turkey meat in shallow, airtight containers. You can also wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or foil. This prevents drying.
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Refrigerate at 40°F or colder. Keep leftovers near the back of the fridge, not the door.
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Cooked turkey meat keeps for 3-4 days in the fridge.
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Turkey pieces, like legs and wings, can keep for up to one week.
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Turkey broth or gravy can be refrigerated for 1-2 days.
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Fully cooked, ready-to-eat turkey deli meat will last 5-7 days or follow package instructions.
If reheating leftovers, they should reach an internal temperature of 165°F. Reheat only the amount you plan to immediately eat, do not reheat turkey multiple times.
Note that leftover turkey is very perishable. Discard any turkey that smells bad, even if it hasn’t reached the 3-4 day mark. When dealing with poultry and meat, don’t take risks with foodborne illness.
Extra Turkey Storage Tips
Follow these additional tips for safe turkey storage:
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Cut large amounts of turkey into smaller pieces before storing. This allows the turkey to chill faster, which improves food safety.
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Do not overstuff the fridge with turkey leftovers. Too much food restricts air flow and prevents even cooling.
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Place turkey leftovers on lower shelves. The bottom shelf is the coldest spot.
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Frozen turkey can keep for 4 months in a freezer at 0°F or below. To thaw, keep it in the fridge 1-2 days. Do not thaw at room temp.
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Mark storage containers with dates so you know when leftovers were prepped.
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Never taste old, questionable turkey. When in doubt, throw it out!
By properly storing turkey in the fridge and freezer, you can safely enjoy delicious turkey for days after your initial meal. Follow the recommended storage times outlined above.
The bottom line – a fresh raw turkey should only be kept in the fridge 1-2 days maximum. Cooked turkey leftovers can be refrigerated for 3-4 days. Frozen turkey and leftovers can keep for several months when properly stored.
If you have any other turkey storage questions, don’t hesitate to check with the experts. Food safety hotlines like USDA’s Meat and Poultry Hotline can provide guidance to ensure your turkey makes it safely from the store to the table this holiday season.
Storing Turkey in the Fridge
Unsure of the best process for storing turkey in the fridge? Don’t worry — it’s pretty simple! Raw pieces of turkey can be wrapped in Glad® Press’n Seal®, then stored in an airtight bag like Glad® FLEXN SEAL™ Food Storage Quart Bags. Sliced cold cuts can be stored in a food storage bag, with any extra air squeezed out before it’s sealed. Be sure to wash your hands before and after handling turkey, especially if it’s raw.
If properly stored, raw turkey can last in the fridge for 1–2 days, while cold cuts last up to 5 days. How long does cooked turkey last in the fridge? If you have leftovers that include cooked turkey, you can expect those to last in the refrigerator for 3–4 days.
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Freezing Cooked Turkey and Raw Turkey
If you have enough turkey leftovers to last more than a few days, you might want to consider freezing cooked turkey instead of refrigerating it. The same is true if you’re stocked up on raw turkey that you don’t plan to cook right away. Luckily, the process for storing turkey in the freezer — whether it’s cooked or raw — is really simple.
Create an airtight seal around each individual piece of turkey using Glad® Press’n Seal®, then put them into an airtight bag, such as Glad® FLEXN SEAL™ Freezer Quart Bags, making sure to squeeze out any extra air before sealing. If you’re freezing a whole turkey, just wrap your bird in several layers of Glad® Clingn Seal™ or Glad® Press’n Seal®. In both cases, you’ll want to store the turkey in the deepest part of the freezer. When properly stored, raw turkey pieces should stay good in the freezer for up to 9 months, while whole raw turkeys last for a year when frozen. Cooked turkey pieces last in the freezer for 4–6 months.
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Per the USDA’s guidelines, you should never thaw frozen turkey on the counter or in hot water, nor should you leave it at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
The best way to thaw turkey (whole or in pieces) is to move the frozen package from the freezer onto a plate and into the fridge, and then let it thaw gradually. Depending on the size of what you’re thawing, this method can take a full day. If raw frozen turkey is thawed in the refrigerator, the defrosted turkey can last in the fridge for 1–2 days before it needs to be cooked or refrozen.
If you’re in a hurry to thaw your turkey, there’s a faster method you can use. Ensure the turkey is in an airtight bag — like Glad® FLEXN SEAL™ Food Storage Quart Bags — then submerge it in cold tap water, changing the water every 30 minutes so it continues to thaw. You can also thaw frozen turkey pieces in the microwave, but if you want to use that method, you should plan to cook it immediately after thawing to prevent bacteria from growing.
You can learn more about how to store meat and how long meat can last in the fridge or freezer with our meat storing tips.
For safe meat preparation, reference the USDA website.
How long can you keep a thawed turkey in the refrigerator before cooking?
FAQ
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