On Food52, we’ve dedicated a contest and many, many posts to tips on how to let all those Thanksgiving leftovers live their best lives—because eating leftover Thanksgiving turkey for an entire week straight can wear down even the most avid of poultry fans.
But we also turned to James Briscione, the former Director of Culinary Development at the Institute of Culinary Education (ICE), just to make sure our freezer and storage methods for all our great leftovers were sound. Learn how to store Thanksgiving leftovers to keep them safe indefinitely…or until they all run out (whichever comes first).
The star of every Thanksgiving meal is undoubtedly the turkey After spending hours preparing, roasting and carving that beautiful bird, you can’t wait to dig in But after the feast is over, chances are you’ll have plenty of leftover turkey. This is great news – who doesn’t love turkey sandwiches or casseroles in the days following Thanksgiving? But in order to enjoy your leftovers to the fullest, you need to know how to store them properly. So how long does Thanksgiving turkey last in the fridge?
USDA Recommends 3-4 Days for Leftover Turkey
According to the USDA cooked turkey will last 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator if stored at 40°F or below. Refrigeration slows but does not completely stop bacterial growth so leftovers should be eaten within this timeframe. Storing the turkey properly is key to preserving both its safety and quality as long as possible.
Proper Storage Is Crucial
To maximize your leftover turkey’s shelf life, the USDA recommends carving the meat from the bones and storing it in shallow containers to allow for quick cooling. Turkey bones can be used to make broth, but should be refrigerated separately. Cut the meat into smaller pieces to enable thorough and even cooling in the refrigerator.
Store turkey in sealed airtight containers or resealable plastic bags. Make sure to remove as much air as possible and ensure the turkey is completely covered by the liquid it was cooked in to prevent drying out. Keep the temperature of your refrigerator at 40°F or below – use a refrigerator thermometer to double check. The cooler the storage temperature, the longer the turkey will last.
Signs Your Turkey Has Spoiled
Although properly stored leftovers can keep for 3-4 days in the fridge, it’s important to rely on your senses to check for signs of spoilage before eating them. Discard turkey that shows any of the following characteristics:
- Slimy texture or foul, off-putting odor
- Discoloration or graying of the meat
- Drying out – meat feels very firm or tough
If you detect and funky aromas, colors or textures, don’t risk it – throw it out. When in doubt, it’s better to be safe than sick.
Maximize Shelf Life By Freezing
While refrigerator storage buys you a few days, the freezer can extend the shelf life of leftovers for months. Properly frozen and stored at 0°F or below, leftover turkey will keep for 2-6 months before quality starts to decline.
To freeze, store turkey in airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, removing as much air as possible. Portion the meat out into meal-sized containers for easy defrosting later on. As with the refrigerator, the colder the temperature, the longer frozen foods will maintain optimal taste and texture.
Make sure to label frozen containers with the contents and date. Track how many days the turkey was refrigerated before freezing. The total safe storage time for cooked turkey is 4 days including fridge and freezer time.
Thawing and Reheating Frozen Turkey
Frozen leftovers must be thawed safely prior to consumption. There are a few methods to thaw turkey:
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In the refrigerator: Place frozen turkey in a container to catch drips and thaw in the fridge. Small packages will take 1-2 days to thaw, while larger items can take 3-4 days. Cook within an additional 3-4 days.
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In cold water: Submerge a sealed package of turkey in a bowl of cold tap water, changing water every 30 minutes. A small package or slices will thaw in 2-3 hours. Cook immediately after thawing.
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In the microwave: Use the defrost setting to safely thaw. Cook turkey immediately after microwaving. Pieces should be covered to prevent drying out.
Avoid thawing foods at room temperature or in hot water, which allows bacteria to multiply quickly.
When reheating fully cooked turkey, the USDA recommends heating it to an internal temperature of 165°F. Bring sauces, soups and gravies to a boil. Microwave turkey using a food thermometer to confirm it reaches 165°F. Reheated turkey dishes should reach 165°F within 2 hours – discard if they don’t.
Enjoy Your Leftovers Safely
Thanksgiving turkey is delicious, but only if it’s been stored properly to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. By keeping your leftover turkey at safe refrigerator temperatures, monitoring for signs of spoilage, freezing for extended storage, and thawing and reheating correctly, you can continue to enjoy your holiday bird for meals to come. Trust your senses, follow food safety guidelines, and your Thanksgiving leftovers will be both safe and delicious for 3-4 days after the big feast.
What’s the Two-Hour Rule for Storing Turkey and Other Thanksgiving Leftovers?
If it’s still Turkey Day and you’re getting ready to pack up your leftover Thanksgiving turkey, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds hosts to remember the “two-hour rule” for food safety. According to the USDA, “all perishable items should be refrigerated within two hours of coming out of the oven or refrigerator.” The reason is that after two hours, perishable food such as turkey and stuffing enter what’s known as the Danger Zone, where foodborne bacteria can quickly multiply and cause the food to become unsafe to eat. “If foods have been left out at room temperature for more than two hours, discard items to prevent foodborne illness,” the USDA states on their website.
Can you Freeze Gravy?
It depends on whether it contains dairy or not. The problem with dairy-based gravies is that they don’t take well to freezing. The dairy, when thawed, has a tendency to separate (this isn’t the case with stock-based gravy; see here). If you have lots of leftover dairy-based gravy and don’t want it to go to waste, your best choice for taste and safety is to 1) Keep it in the fridge. 2) Every 3 days, take it out and bring it back to a boil. 3) Let it cool properly, over a bowl of ice. And 4) stick it back in the fridge. Itll last for a week (or more!) this way.
Bringing the gravy back to a boil kills off bacteria. However, James stresses, how you cool the gravy is very, very important. You want it to cool quickly—hence, the ice bath. The longer the gravy spends out of the fridge, the greater the likelihood of bacteria growth.
How long is leftover turkey good for in the fridge?
FAQ
Is turkey still good 5 days after Thanksgiving?
Can you eat Thanksgiving leftovers after a week?
Can I keep a fresh turkey in the fridge for 6 days?
How long will leftover turkey last in refrigerator?
How long does leftover Thanksgiving turkey last?
Leftover Thanksgiving turkey that is fully cooked will last in the fridge for about 3 to 4 days. As for the freezer, the lifespan of your leftover turkey depends on the quality of said freezer. “If you have a really good freezer that maintains a temp of 0°F or below, it’s indefinite,” James says.
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 leftover Turkey last in the freezer?
The general consensus is that most food can safely be kept in the freezer indefinitely, but the USDA recommends consuming most frozen foods within two to six months for the best quality, depending on what you’re freezing.
How long can you keep Thanksgiving Leftovers in the refrigerator?
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.”