Is it really Thanksgiving if you don’t wind up with leftovers? For many of us, that too much is just enough, because the actual best parts of the holiday are the meals that follow the original turkey feast. I’ll be honest and admit that I look forward to my Thanksgiving leftovers sandwich more than the holiday meal itself. But perhaps you’ve faced the remnants of that gorgeous, golden turkey centerpiece and debated the best way to store it, keeping safety (and flavor!) in mind. How long can you actually keep turkey in the fridge? Should some of the meat be frozen right away?
While you’re clearing the table and beginning to wash dishes, thinking about what you’re going to do with all that leftover turkey, here’s what you need to know.
Leftover roasted turkey is one of the best parts of holiday meals But improper storage can lead to wasted food and safety risks from bacteria growth Follow these tips to safely enjoy turkey leftovers for as long as possible.
How Long Does Cooked Turkey Last Refrigerated?
According to the USDA, cooked turkey stored properly in the refrigerator should last for 3 to 4 days. After this time period, the quality and safety of the meat can no longer be guaranteed.
Here are some key factors that determine refrigerator shelf life:
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Proper temperature – Leftover turkey must be refrigerated at 40°F or colder to slow bacteria growth Monitor fridge temp with a thermometer.
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Storage container – Place turkey in sealed airtight containers or zipper bags This prevents drying out and controls contamination
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Pieces vs whole – Cutting the turkey into smaller pieces allows it to chill faster in the fridge, maximizing shelf life.
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Sanitation – Thoroughly scrub hands, surfaces, utensils before handling stored turkey to prevent cross-contamination.
As long as these cold storage best practices are followed, leftover roasted turkey will maintain quality for 3-4 days in the fridge.
Maximizing Frozen Cooked Turkey Storage
While refrigeration preserves turkey for up to 4 days, the freezer extends shelf life for months. According to the USDA, frozen cooked turkey will retain quality for 2-6 months. The wide range depends on a few factors:
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Turkey type – Dark meat lasts longer than white when frozen. Whole turkey keeps longer than pieces.
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Packaging – Air-tight freezer bags or containers prevent freezer burn. Remove air pockets.
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Freezer temp – 0°F is ideal. Don’t exceed 5°F. Place thermometer in freezer.
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Freezer maintenance – Regular defrosting improves temperature regulation. Old freezers allow more frost buildup.
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Quantity – Smaller portions freeze faster with less quality loss. Freeze broth separately.
Following proper freezing protocol allows for enjoying cooked turkey for up to 6 months safely.
How To Tell If Leftover Turkey Is Still Good?
Checking for signs of spoilage is important when storing turkey to determine if it’s still usable or should be discarded. Here’s what to look for:
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Sliminess – Leftover turkey that is slimy or sticky signals spoilage bacteria growth. Discard immediately.
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Off odors – Cooked turkey that smells unpleasant or sulfuric is spoiled. Do not taste or eat.
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Discoloration – Gray, green or blue hues indicate spoiled poultry. Frozen turkey with dried out, dull flesh has freezer burn.
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Mold – Any fuzzy growth means turkey must be tossed out. Mold can harbor dangerous toxins.
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Texture changes – Soft, mushy meat that loses definition is expired. Frozen turkey with dry, tough consistency has been freezer damaged.
Relying on sight, smell and touch will help determine if leftovers should be eaten or discarded. When in doubt, throw it out.
Tips for Enjoying Leftover Turkey
Here are some final tips for safely savoring every last bit of your leftover holiday turkey:
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Let turkey cool completely before refrigerating. Large quantities take longer to chill.
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Divide into shallow containers. Refrigerate pieces in smaller batches for faster cooling.
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Use oldest leftovers first. Keep track of storage dates with labels.
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Reheat thoroughly to 165°F. Boiling or microwaving helps prevent drying out.
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Bring gravy, soups, chilis, casseroles made with turkey back to a full boil before serving.
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Avoid repeated reheating and refrigeration as this speeds up food spoilage.
Following proper leftover turkey storage guidelines, monitoring for spoilage indicators, and reheating thoroughly will let you safely enjoy this tasty holiday treat for the maximum 3-4 days refrigerated or 2-6 months frozen. With some simple planning, you can avoid waste and spend more time savoring your holiday meal.
We’ve still got half a bird!
You’re not alone. Whether you’re buying a frozen Butterball turkey, a heritage bird from your local butcher shop, or a smaller turkey breast, leftovers are almost a given. According to a 2011 USDA study, around 35% of turkey is wasted each year, so understanding how to best store your leftovers goes a long way to reducing the amount of turkey that ends up in landfills and compost heaps. That statistic feels even larger when you learn that the National Turkey Federation reports that 88% of Americans eat turkey on Thanksgiving, and Butterball’s senior brand manager Chad McFadden notes that 79% of consumers surveyed for a 2023 report planned to buy a whole bird. McFadden also says that the most popular Thanksgiving turkey option weighs between 16 and 20 pounds, and the average guest count for the holiday is nine people, with a suggested estimate of 1 to 1.5 pounds of turkey per person. After we do some quick turkey math, this suggests that, generally, households have somewhere between 2.5 and 11 pounds of turkey and turkey bones left after the Thursday Thanksgiving feast. That’s a lot of sandwiches.
How long does turkey last in the fridge?
With your leftovers sitting in front of you, the first step in smart turkey storage is to think about what you’re going to do with them. Do you have a leftover turkey recipe that you’re already planning to try for Friday dinner? Or would you like to keep that delicious turkey in reserve for sometime down the road? Even though you may be exhausted from a day or two of cooking, entertaining and feasting, it’s still best to deal with your turkey in one way or another as soon as possible.
From a food safety perspective, it’s important to minimize the time your turkey spends in the “Danger Zone,” or between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit. The USDA notes that food has a limit of two hours at room temperature before bacteria growth becomes an issue.
Asking the experts how long cooked turkey keeps in the fridge yields a range of answers. LG’s resident culinary expert Brian Karam recommends capping it at one to two days, but also suggests that “time can be maximized by keeping larger pieces whole and not making them smaller before refrigerating, [as] smaller pieces are more susceptible to air exposure and could hasten spoilage in refrigerator.” Aly Forster of Diestel Family Ranch says “you will want to consume within three to four days.” 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.”
The wide variation in answers largely comes down to the difference between food safety and food quality. Guzzle points out that “Food safety is primarily concerned with harmful microbiological organisms, [and] may veer from what an average consumer might consider for quality (i.e., taste, texture, aroma, etc.)” Fortunately, Forster adds, “We like to say ‘poultry isn’t shy’—one whiff easily lets you know if that meat is still wholesome!” Ultimately, when using leftovers, Forster concludes, you’ll need to use your best judgment to determine how long you feel comfortable within this range. Be sure, she notes, to “inspect the turkey for any signs of spoilage.” Or as I like to say, “When in doubt, throw it out.”
If you’ve only got enough turkey left for a few sandwiches and a batch of turkey jook, keeping your leftover meat in the fridge will be enough. But if you have enough for a couple more full feasts, then you’ll want to think about freezing that turkey for the future.
How long is leftover turkey good for in the fridge?
FAQ
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