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If youve hosted at least one holiday dinner or large family gathering, then youre probably aware of the sheer amount of leftovers that can amass post-feast. And while you can dish out leftover pumpkin pie in individual Tupperware containers for guests to take home, you may have too much of the bird remaining to fit in your refrigerator. At this point, you may want to freeze these pieces to enjoy in the future. The question thus becomes: How long is frozen turkey good for? Well, weve got all the answers, so you dont have to worry about wasting any of that delicious turkey you worked so hard to make.
All raw, frozen meat, whether its ground beef or another poultry like chicken, will last in your freezer for various amounts of time, depending on the type of protein and how it is packaged. Things become a bit more complicated when you are dealing with already cooked Thanksgiving turkey or already prepared ground turkey burgers or meatloaf. But we have outlined all the guidelines you should be aware of as well as the steps to take to guarantee you make the most of your turkey, whether you’re freezing your leftovers or buying and storing a frozen turkey to keep for next year. Turkey may just become one of those staple items you keep in your freezer for all future use.
Freezing turkey is a great way to save money and always have this versatile meat on hand But how long does frozen turkey last before the quality starts deteriorating? Here’s a complete guide to maximizing freezer life and keeping your frozen turkey fresh.
Why Freeze Turkey?
Freezing turkey, whether whole birds or just breast, thigh, or other cuts, offers several advantages:
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Stock up on sales – Buy discounted turkeys out of season to save money. Whole turkeys often go on sale right after the holidays.
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Convenience – Keep frozen turkey on hand for meals any time. Thaw just what you need.
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Avoid waste – Freeze leftovers or excess turkey from a holiday meal,
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Preserve freshness – Frozen turkey maintains quality much longer than refrigerated.
Proper Storage Extends Shelf Life
To get the longest freezer life out of turkey, proper storage is key. Here are tips for keeping frozen turkey as fresh as possible:
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Use high quality freezer bags, foil, plastic wrap, or containers. This prevents freezer burn.
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Remove as much air as possible and seal tightly.
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Label packages with contents and date. Use oldest first.
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Freeze immediately after purchasing or cooking. Don’t allow time sitting in the fridge.
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Maintain freezer at 0°F or below. Place packages against walls or bottom shelves.
How Long Does Raw Turkey Last Frozen?
With proper freezer storage, here is how long different raw turkey cuts maintain best quality and flavor:
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Whole turkey – 12 months
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Turkey breast or thighs – 9 months
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Ground turkey – 3 to 4 months
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Turkey pieces – 9 months
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Turkey giblets – 3 to 4 months
Though technically safe to eat if frozen longer, turkey will dry out and flavor will diminish over time.
Shelf Life of Cooked Frozen Turkey
Cooked turkey also keeps a surprisingly long time in the freezer. With proper packaging, here is how long cooked turkey will maintain quality:
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Turkey pieces or slices – 4 to 6 months
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Leftover turkey – 4 months
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Cooked ground turkey – 3 months
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Turkey stock or broth – 3 to 6 months
Again, frozen cooked turkey remains safe beyond these times but will lose moisture and flavor.
Signs Turkey Is Past Its Prime
Here are signs your frozen turkey may be past its best quality date:
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Dry, stringy texture
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Freezer burn with dry crusty patches
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Strong freezer or rancid odor
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Changes in color from pink or red to brown or gray
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Ice crystals or frosty buildup inside package
Your nose knows best! Rely on your senses. If the turkey smells or looks suspicious, it’s safest to discard.
Thawing Frozen Turkey Safely
Never thaw turkey at room temperature or in hot water. Bacteria multiply quickly in the “danger zone” between 40°F and 140°F.
Instead, thaw using one of these methods:
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Refrigerator – Allow 24 hours per 4-5 lbs turkey. Place on tray to catch drips.
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Cold water – Submerge sealed turkey in cold water, changing water every 30 minutes. About 30 minutes per pound.
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Microwave – Following appliance directions for defrosting. Cook immediately after thawing.
A thawed turkey will keep 1-2 days refrigerated. Cook or refreeze within that time.
Cooking Previously Frozen Turkey
Previously frozen turkey can be safely cooked and enjoyed provided proper thawing, handling, and cooking steps are followed:
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Thaw turkey thoroughly until no ice crystals remain and cavity juices run clear.
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Cook to an internal temperature of 165°F as measured in the thickest part of the breast and thigh.
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Allow sitting 20 minutes before carving for juices to redistribute.
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Refrigerate all leftovers within 2 hours of cooking.
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Reheat leftovers to 165°F. Discard any turkey reheated below 140°F within 2 hours.
Get Creative With Frozen Turkey
Beyond roasting whole birds, frozen turkey lends itself to all sorts of quick, everyday meals. Here are some ideas:
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Fajitas – Thaw turkey breast slices and peppers for easy skillet fajitas.
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Chili – Cook thawed ground turkey with beans and sauce for hearty chili.
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Casserole – Use frozen cooked turkey in casseroles like King Ranch or turkey tetrazzini.
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Soup – Simmer frozen turkey pieces and veggies in broth for nourishing soup.
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Stir fry – Slice cooked turkey and stir fry with rice or veggies.
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Sandwiches – Enjoy deli meat-style sandwiches with thawed turkey slices on bread or wraps.
With proper storage times and safe handling, you can always have delicious and nutritious turkey on hand thanks to your freezer.
How long is frozen turkey good for?
All meat is good in the freezer indefinitely, but only if it is stored at 0°F consistently. This rule applies to meat stored at exactly 0°F without fluctuation, and it must be uniformly frozen at that temperature to keep harmful bacteria away.
If your turkey is good when you freeze it (and you properly thaw it — more on that below) then you should be able to eat it at any point after freezing it, whether that’s in two months or two or three years. Just remember to keep that temperature at 0 degrees, and you’re good to go.
However, if you’re storing cooked turkey (as opposed to raw), it should for up to two or three months, according to the Globe and Mail.
How long can you keep a turkey in the fridge?
The best way to tell if turkey is still good is smell and texture. As StillTasty.com points out, if the turkey has a sour odor and/or a slimy texture, it’s probably not good anymore — no matter what the date on the package says. So if you give your turkey a sniff and things seem a little off, then now’s the time to toss it and choose something else to cook for dinner or freeze.
If you’ve just purchased some turkey at the store and its smell/texture seems OK, you might be wondering just how long it’ll stay good in the fridge. This all depends on whether it’s cooked or not.
How long can a turkey stay frozen?
FAQ
Is a 2 year frozen turkey safe to eat?
Can turkey meat go bad in the freezer?
How long can you keep a butterball turkey in the freezer?
Where is the expiration date on a frozen turkey?
How long does a frozen turkey last?
Fresh turkeys are typically sold in grocery stores and have a shelf life of about 1-2 weeks when stored in the refrigerator. Frozen turkeys are sold in grocery stores and meat markets, and have a shelf life of about 9-12 months when stored in the freezer. Packaging The packaging of a frozen turkey can also affect its shelf life.
Can you freeze cooked turkey?
If you have a lot of leftover cooked turkey, storing it in the freezer for another meal is a good option. Similar to frozen uncooked turkey, you don’t want it to stay in the freezer long term as taste and texture will diminish over time.
How long can Turkey be stored in the freezer?
Turkey can be safely stored in the freezer indefinitely, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). However, the flavor and texture tend to decline the longer it sits in the freezer. The USDA offers recommendations for how long turkey can be stored in the freezer for optimal taste before it may begin to decline in quality:
Does raw turkey stay good in the freezer?
Raw turkey (and meat) will stay good in the freezer indefinitely. All meat is good in the freezer indefinitely, but only if it is stored at 0°F consistently. This rule applies to meat stored at exactly 0°F without fluctuation, and it must be uniformly frozen at that temperature to keep harmful bacteria away.