Freezing leftover turkey is a great way to save it for fast easy dinners in the future. Follow these simple steps to keep your leftover turkey for months to come.
With families all over the country having smaller Thanksgivings this year, it is likely that you will have some leftover turkey. I’ve used this method to freeze both my Turkey Breast recipe and my Roast Turkey – it works great for both!
These simple and easy steps make it possible to keep turkey on hand for lots of great recipes. There is no need to get sick of turkey. Freeze your left overs and use them a month from now in leftover turkey recipes.
As Thanksgiving approaches, many of us look forward to enjoying a delicious roasted turkey with family and friends. But with a turkey that size, there are usually plenty of leftovers. So what do you do with all that leftover turkey? Can you freeze roasted turkey?
The short answer is yes, you can absolutely freeze leftover roasted turkey if you do it properly. Read on for a complete guide to freezing turkey, including storage times, the best methods for freezing, thawing, and reheating. With these tips, you can enjoy tasty turkey meals long after the leftovers from your initial Thanksgiving or holiday feast.
Why Freeze Leftover Turkey?
Freezing cooked turkey allows you to store it safely for extended periods of time and enjoy it later. Here are some of the biggest benefits of freezing turkey:
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Extend its shelf life Properly frozen turkey can last for 3-4 months in the freezer. Without freezing leftovers will only last 3-4 days in the fridge.
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Save money Freezing turkey prevents food waste so you can enjoy multiple meals without having to cook another whole bird.
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Prepare turkey meals anytime Frozen turkey makes it easy to whip up salads, casseroles, soups and sandwiches even when you don’t have fresh turkey on hand.
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Preserve flavor and texture: As long as you freeze it promptly and properly, frozen turkey maintains its taste and texture very well.
How Long Does Turkey Last in the Fridge?
Before freezing turkey, it’s important to understand proper fridge storage times. Cooked turkey will last:
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3-4 days in the fridge if stored in a sealed container.
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1-2 days in the fridge if left uncovered.
So for best quality, make sure to seal up any leftovers in airtight containers or resealable plastic bags.
Can You Freeze Already Refrigerated Turkey?
Leftover turkey can be frozen anytime within 3-4 days of refrigeration. It’s best to freeze as soon as possible, but turkey that has been properly stored in the fridge for 1-3 days can still be safely frozen.
How Long Does Turkey Last in the Freezer?
Frozen turkey will maintain optimal flavor and texture for 3-4 months in a freezer set at 0°F or below.
Technically, frozen turkey can last indefinitely if stored properly. However, the quality declines after 4-6 months due to freezer burn and moisture loss.
For best results, try to use frozen turkey within 3 months. Label bags with the date to keep track.
Does Cooking Turkey After Freezing Change the Taste?
Properly frozen and thawed turkey retains its flavor and juiciness very well when cooked again. However, there are a few things to keep in mind:
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Turkey may lose some moisture during extended freezing, which can make it slightly drier.
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Light freeing or ice crystals can affect the texture.
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The flavor can become duller over time.
As long as you freeze turkey promptly, seal it airtight and don’t exceed the 3-4 month guideline, it should cook up quite nicely.
How to Freeze Turkey the Right Way
Follow these simple steps for properly freezing turkey:
Step 1: Let It Cool
Never freeze turkey when it’s still hot or warm. Hot food will rapidly bring down the temperature inside your freezer, which makes the compressor work harder. Always let turkey cool to room temperature before freezing.
Step 2: Portion It
Cut turkey into smaller portions or slices before freezing. This makes it easier to reheat just what you need later.
Avoid freezing a whole turkey or very large portions. Package in meal-sized amounts like:
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Slices or cubes for sandwiches, salads, etc.
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Shredded meat for casseroles or soups
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Smaller turkey pieces, legs or wings
Step 3: Use Freezer Bags or Airtight Containers
The best freezer options are:
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Heavy-duty plastic freezer bags – Squeeze out air before sealing
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Rigid plastic containers with tight lids – Leave 1/2 inch room at the top for expansion
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Aluminum foil – Wrap tightly around each portion
Step 4: Label It
Be sure to label any bags or containers with the contents and freezing date. Masking tape and a permanent marker work well.
Step 5: Freeze Promptly
For best quality, freeze turkey within 1-2 days of cooking. Leftovers can be frozen up to 3-4 days after cooking but sooner is better.
Step 6: Freeze at 0°F or Colder
Set your freezer to 0°F or -18°C. The colder, the better for freezing turkey properly.
Thawing Frozen Turkey The Safe Way
Never thaw turkey at room temperature or in hot water. Follow one of these safe methods:
In the Refrigerator
This is the preferred method. Place turkey in a tray or dish to catch any drips or leaks. Let thaw for 24-48 hours depending on amount.
In Cold Water
Submerge sealed turkey in a bowl of cold tap water, changing water every 30 minutes until thawed. Cook immediately after thawing.
As Part of Cooking
If cooking turkey pieces in soup or stew, you can often add them still frozen. The liquid will gently thaw turkey as it cooks.
In the Microwave
Use the defrost setting to thaw turkey in the microwave. Rotate and flip pieces for even thawing. Cook immediately after microwaving.
No matter which method you use, cook thawed turkey immediately and never refreeze raw turkey once it has thawed.
How to Reheat Leftover Turkey
The best ways to reheat frozen turkey without drying it out include:
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Oven: Place turkey pieces in a covered dish. Add a little broth, wine or water. Bake at 300-350°F until heated through.
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Stovetop: Heat turkey gently in a skillet or saucepan with broth or sauce. Add a splash of water to keep moist.
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Microwave: Microwave turkey pieces on a microwave-safe plate. Cover with a damp paper towel to prevent drying.
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Slow cooker: Combine turkey with liquids like broth, cream soup, etc. Heat on low setting for 2-3 hours.
Stir in some gravy or sauce after reheating for added moisture and flavor. Avoid overcooking.
What Not to Freeze
Some foods don’t freeze well or can’t be safely refrozen after thawing:
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Stuffing – Can be frozen before baking but not after.
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Gravy – Can separate or curdle when frozen.
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Fried foods like deep fried turkey – Loses texture.
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Casseroles with turkey – Don’t hold up to freezing.
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Thawed turkey pieces – Never refreeze raw turkey after it thaws.
Freezer Storage Tips
Follow these tips to safely store turkey in the freezer:
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Chill freezer to 0°F or below.
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Freeze turkey in air-tight packaging with all air pressed out.
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Avoid overstuffing freezer. Airflow prevents freezer burn.
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Place new packages towards the back. Use oldest food first.
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Keep track of dates using labels or freezer tape.
Enjoy Delicious Turkey Even After the Holidays
With these handy freezing tips, you can enjoy the flavors of Thanksgiving long after the big meal. Freezing cooked turkey is a great way to save money, reduce waste, and always have turkey on hand for casseroles, sandwiches, soups and more.
How to Freeze Leftover Turkey
Freezing turkey to have for later recipes is really simple. The key to is to flash freeze it in a single layer so you are able to pull out just one cup at a time in the future.
Step 1: Cut the turkey into bite sized pieces.
I suggest that you freeze leftovers as soon as possible so you can get the maximum life span from them.
Step 2: Spread the turkey into a single layer on a parchment lined baking sheet.
Step 3: Freeze the cut up turkey for 1 hour.
This flash freezing is an important step. It will keep the turkey from clumping together when stored in the freezer. This way they freeze as individual pieces.
Step 4: Transfer the frozen turkey to a plastic bag.
That’s it! Now you can store the bag of frozen turkey in the freezer for up to three months.
If you are wondering what to do with leftover turkey after freezing it, I suggest some of these leftover turkey recipes (and I will have more coming next week).
With any soup or casserole recipe, you can add it to the recipe directly from the freezer. Just add a little more cooking time.
This turkey will last in the freezer in a sealed container for 3 months.
Leftover turkey will last in the refrigerator for 4 days and in the freeze for 3 months.
It depends on the recipe. For soups and casseroles, you can put the turkey right from the freezer into the recipe and add a little more time. For recipes like the sliders and the grilled cheese, thaw in the refrigerator overnight first.
Yes! This is exactly how I freeze rotisserie chicken as well. This is perfect for recipes like my Chicken Noodle Casserole. Follow me on social for more recipe ideas & inspiration!
Can you freeze cooked turkey then reheat?
FAQ
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