How Long Does Cooked Ground Turkey Last in the Fridge?

Ground turkey is a versatile protein that is often used as a healthy alternative to ground beef in a variety of dishes from burgers to tacos to chili. However you use ground turkey, it is important to understand how to store it safely so you can have it available when you need it.

Ground turkey is a healthy and versatile meat that can be used in everything from pasta sauce to burgers. It’s economical cooks quickly, and pairs well with many flavors. If you cook up a batch of ground turkey to use in multiple meals throughout the week you’ll need to store the leftovers properly to maximize freshness and avoid food poisoning. But how long does cooked ground turkey last in the fridge?

The short answer is 3-4 days when stored properly in shallow airtight containers Freezing extends the shelf life to 2-3 months Here’s a detailed look at how to store cooked ground turkey and how long it keeps in the fridge vs freezer.

Proper Refrigeration is Crucial

To maintain safety and quality, cooked ground turkey needs to be cooled and refrigerated quickly and correctly. Here are some guidelines:

Refrigerate or freeze within 2 hours after cooking. Don’t leave it out more than 1 hour.
Divide into shallow containers no more than 2-3 inches deep. This allows rapid chilling.
Cover tightly with plastic wrap or lid. Aluminum foil can also work if tightly sealed.
Use cooked turkey within 3-4 days. Freeze the rest for longer storage.
If reheating, cook to 165°F. Check temperature in a few spots with a food thermometer.

Proper cooling prevents bacteria growth. The “danger zone” between 40-140°F allows bacteria to multiply rapidly. Store cooked turkey right away and minimize time in the danger zone.

Signs of Spoilage

Check cooked ground turkey for the following indications of spoilage:

Unpleasant sour odor
Grayish color or muddy appearance
Slimy texture or spots of slime on surface
Mold growing anywhere on the turkey

Don’t taste meat that shows signs of spoilage. Discard immediately. When in doubt, throw it out.

Shelf Life in the Fridge

In the refrigerator, here are the time limits for cooked ground turkey:

1-2 days: Best quality. Still moist and fresh tasting.
3-4 days: Good quality. Some drying out but still fine for most recipes.
5-7 days: Questionable quality. Noticeable decline in texture and flavor. Better for heavily seasoned dishes.
1+ weeks: Potentially unsafe. Increased risk of food poisoning. Discard.

The clock starts ticking as soon as the ground turkey is cooked. The above time ranges are for whole muscle poultry like chicken breasts, so ground turkey has a slightly shorter fridge life. Monitor closely and use refrigerated turkey within 4 days.

Freezing Extends Shelf Life

Freezing cooked ground turkey can greatly extend the shelf life. Here’s how to do it right:

Let cooked turkey cool fully, about 2 hours.
Portion into freezer bags or airtight containers, removing as much air as possible.
Label bags with contents and freeze by date.
Freeze at 0°F or below. Consistent temperature is important.
Use within 2-3 months for best quality and food safety.

Turkeys frozen consistently at 0°F can technically last indefinitely due to lack of bacteria growth. However, the quality will noticeably decline after a few months.

Thawing and Reheating

Always thaw frozen cooked turkey gradually in the fridge, allowing 24 hours. Microwave or cold water thaw methods can work in a pinch but introduce some food safety risks.

Reheat gently on the stove, in the microwave, or in a 325°F oven until warmed through, at least 165°F. Bring soups, sauces, and gravies back up to a full boil.

Previously frozen turkey may have drier texture and lose some juiciness. Add a little broth or moist ingredient to compensate when reheating.

How Long After Thawing?

Once thawed in the refrigerator, cooked ground turkey should be used within an additional 3-4 days. For food safety, don’t refreeze raw turkey after thawing. The moisture loss can result in poor texture.

If microwave defrosting, use turkey right away after cooking. Microwaves can begin cooking meat and poultry edges so they are no longer considered raw.

Can You Eat Turkey After 5 Days?

Cooked ground turkey that’s been refrigerated properly should be safe for 5 days, though the quality decline may make it less appetizing. It’s pushing the recommended 4-day limit.

At 5 days, cooked turkey may have more dried-out patches, paler color, and weaker turkey flavor. Use it in heavily seasoned recipes like casseroles or soups where you can disguise the changes.

Or give the turkey a sniff test. If it smells unpleasant or “off”, err on the safe side and discard it. When unsure about poultry age, it’s not worth risking digestive upset.

The Bottom Line

With proper refrigeration, cooked ground turkey keeps well for 3-4 days before the quality starts diminishing. Freeze leftovers promptly for longer storage. Monitor for signs of spoilage and discard turkey that seems “off”. Follow safe thawing and reheating guidelines. Then enjoy your cooked ground turkey in all kinds of delicious, budget-friendly meals.

how long does cooked ground turkey last in fridge

How to Thaw Frozen Ground Turkey?

how long does cooked ground turkey last in fridge

The three recommended ways for thawing raw turkey are in the refrigerator, submerging in cold water, and in the microwave.

If you have the time, thawing in fridge is my favorite way to thaw raw turkey. I like this method because you don’t lose any quality and all you have to do is place in the fridge and leave it until thawed. Once thawed, it is good in the fridge for 1-2 days.

I usually leave the turkey in the fridge overnight and it is ready to use the next day. However, if you have more than a couple pounds of turkey that you are trying to thaw, I would go by the below USDA guidelines:

4 to 12 pounds — 1 to 3 days
12 to 16 pounds — 3 to 4 days
16 to 20 pounds — 4 to 5 days
20 to 24 pounds —5 to 6 days

If you are shorter on time, submerging the turkey in cold water will also get the job done without hurting the quality of your turkey. However, you need to make sure the turkey is tightly wrapped while in the water. While quicker than putting in fridge, it does require a little more work as you need to replace the water every 30 minutes or so until thawed. It also needs to be cooked immediately after thawing. Typically, it takes 30 minutes or so for each pound of turkey. The USDA chart below shows the guidelines for thawing raw turkey in submerged water:

4 to 12 pounds — 2 to 6 hours
12 to 16 pounds — 6 to 8 hours
16 to 20 pounds — 8 to 10 hours
20 to 24 pounds — 10 to 12 hours

Microwaving is my least favorite method to thaw turkey because it can make the texture rubbery if not done properly. However, it is the quickest method. Microwaves have a defrost function where you enter the weight and it will automatically set the time required to defrost, asking you to flip halfway through the process. Once defrosted, cook immediately to avoid any bacteria growth.

Thawing Cooked Ground Turkey

My favorite way to thaw ground turkey is in the oven. To do this, wrap your frozen turkey in foil and place on a cookie sheet or casserole dish and put in the oven at 300 degrees. I would check every 20 minutes or so depending on how much you have.

Ask the Test Kitchen: How Long Will Meat Last in the Fridge?

FAQ

Can I eat cooked ground turkey after 5 days?

USDA recommends using cooked turkey within 3 to 4 days, kept refrigerated (40°F or less). Refrigeration slows but does not stop bacterial growth. Turkey can be frozen for 3 to 4 months. Although safe indefinitely, frozen leftovers can lose moisture and flavor when stored for longer times in the freezer.

Can I eat 4 day old ground turkey?

The USDA recommends cooking (or freezing) raw, ground turkey within one or two days after purchasing or the “sell by” date printed on the package.

Can you eat cooked meat after 5 days?

USDA recommends using cooked leftovers within 3 to 4 days. There are two different families of bacteria: pathogenic bacteria, the kind that cause foodborne illness, and spoilage bacteria, the kind of bacteria that cause foods to deteriorate and develop unpleasant odors, tastes, and textures.

Is ground turkey good after 6 days?

You may store uncooked ground poultry in the refrigerator 1 to 2 days. After cooking, you may keep it 3 to 4 days. Frozen raw poultry is best used in 3 to 4 months; cooked ground poultry, 2 to 3 months.