How Long Does a Frozen Turkey Stay Good?

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.

Thanksgiving is one of the most popular holidays for cooking and eating turkey. Many people buy frozen turkeys ahead of time to have them ready for the big feast. But a common question is, how long does a frozen turkey stay good in the freezer?

Knowing the freezer shelf life for frozen turkey ensures you serve up a high-quality delicious bird on Thanksgiving. Don’t let an old, freezer-burned turkey ruin your holiday! Follow these guidelines on frozen turkey storage.

Can Frozen Turkey Last Indefinitely?

Technically, frozen raw turkey can be stored in the freezer indefinitely and remain safe to eat. However, the quality and taste will deteriorate over time.

According to the USDA, freezing prevents the growth of microorganisms and slows down changes in flavor or texture. But chemical changes in the turkey’s proteins will still happen over long freezer storage.

So while safe, turkey kept frozen for over a year will suffer freezer burn and dryness that impacts texture and flavor.

For the highest quality turkey with the best taste, the USDA recommends using frozen raw turkey within a year. Frozen cooked turkey should be used within 4-6 months.

Store Turkey Properly In Freezer

To achieve maximum frozen shelf life, proper storage is key. Here are some tips:

Place turkey in airtight, moisture-proof packaging. Use freezer bags, plastic wrap, or aluminum foil. Squeeze out excess air before sealing.
If freezing a whole turkey, do not stuff it. Package stuffing separately.
Wrap frozen turkey tightly so it is completely sealed from air, Air causes freezer burn
Label packages with contents and freeze-by date so you know what’s inside and how old it is.
Store frozen turkey towards back of freezer, where temperature is most constant.
Once thawed, do not refreeze previously frozen raw turkey. Cook immediately.

Watch For Freezer Burn

Freezer burn is a major enemy of frozen foods. It causes dry, tough spots and impacts flavor. Signs of freezer burn on turkey include:

Dry, flaky patches on surface
Discoloration – pale, larger spots
Ice crystals on surface
Stale, cardboard-like taste

Trim any freezer burned portions before cooking. But if burning is extensive, the quality is likely too poor for holiday dinner.

Handle Frozen Turkey Safely

Proper handling is important when dealing with frozen raw poultry:

Wash hands before and after handling frozen turkey packages.
Keep frozen turkey stored separately from other foods to prevent cross-contamination.
When thawing, place turkey on bottom shelf of refrigerator so juices cannot drip on other foods.
Never thaw turkey on the counter or in hot water. Thaw in the refrigerator.
Cook raw turkey within 1-2 days after refrigerator thawing. Do not refreeze.

Know When To Toss Turkey

Frozen turkey can technically last forever, but here are some signs it should be thrown out:

Excessive ice crystals or large freezer burned areas
Turkey has been freezer over 2 years
Odd color changes or extreme discoloration
Off or unpleasant odors when package is opened
Any signs of mold growth are present

When in doubt, remember the USDA recommendation is to use frozen raw turkey within 1 year. Discard old turkey if quality is questionable.

Enjoy Your Frozen Turkey This Thanksgiving

Follow these frozen turkey storage tips for the perfect holiday bird. Store turkeys properly in the freezer and use within a year for best quality. Monitor your frozen turkey for signs of freezer burn or spoilage.

With proper freezing and storage methods, your frozen turkey will stay delicious and safe for holiday feasting!

Frequency of Entities:

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USDA: 2
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how long does a frozen turkey stay good

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.

how long does a frozen turkey stay good

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.

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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How long can a turkey stay frozen?

FAQ

Is a 2 year frozen turkey safe to eat?

According to the Butterball Turkey Talk Line, you can keep a turkey stored in the freezer for up to two years, and it’s still safe to cook. You might, however, end up dealing with a not-so-tasty bird keeping it that long. It’s essential to store it correctly to avoid freezer burn.

How long does it take a frozen turkey to go bad?

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.

How long is a frozen butterball turkey good for?

FROZEN TURKEY As a rule, you can keep a Frozen Butterball Turkey in its’ original packaging for a minimum 2-year period. The turkey must remain frozen. The packaging must be without tears or holes and the vacuum seal intact.

How long does frozen ground turkey last in the freezer?

3-4 months for optimal freshness. Frozen ground turkey is safe for up to 1 year in a freezer but may decrease quality and taste over time. For the freshest taste, it’s best to use within 4 months.

How long can a frozen turkey last without spoiling?

Freezing effectively halts the growth of bacteria, which is why frozen foods can last so long without spoiling. However, while a frozen turkey can remain safe indefinitely, its quality will deteriorate over time. For the best taste and texture, it is recommended to consume the turkey within a specific timeframe. 1.

How long can cervical cancer remain frozen?

Cryotherapy is a treatment that prevents cervical cancer. Your doctor uses a chemical to freeze abnormal cells off your cervix so normal ones can grow back. The freezing is done for 3 minutes. The cervix is allowed to thaw for 5 minutes.

How long can a Turkey last in the freezer?

In both cases, you’ll want to store the turkey in the deepest part of the freezer. Whole raw turkeys can be frozen for up to a year, but raw turkey pieces can be stored in the freezer for up to nine months. Cooked turkey pieces last in the freezer for 4–6 months.

What affects the shelf life of a frozen turkey?

The age of the turkey when it was frozen, the amount of fat in the turkey, and the presence of bacteria can all affect the shelf life of a frozen turkey. Younger turkeys tend to have a shorter shelf life than older turkeys. This is because younger turkeys have more moisture content, which makes them more susceptible to freezer burn.