Smoked turkey is a delicious, flavorful main dish perfect for holidays and special occasions. But after the meal is over, you may have leftovers you want to save. So how long can you keep a smoked turkey before it goes bad?
Whether you smoked the turkey yourself or bought a pre-smoked turkey, proper storage is key for maximizing its shelf life. Here’s what you need to know about safely storing smoked turkey in the fridge and freezer.
Overview of Smoked Turkey
Smoking imparts a wonderful smoky aroma and flavor to turkey or other meats The process involves exposing the turkey to smoke and heat for long periods of time, from 4 hours to over 24 hours depending on the technique.
This slow smoking cooks the meat while infusing it with smoky notes. The turkey ends up tender and juicy with a distinct charred bark on the outside.
Popular smoking methods include:
- Cold smoking below 200 ̊F
- Hot smoking from 200-275 ̊F
- Low and slow smoking at 225-250 ̊F
Apple, hickory, mesquite, cherry, pecan, and other hardwoods lend their own unique smoky flavors
How Long Does Smoked Turkey Last in the Fridge?
When stored properly in the refrigerator, smoked turkey will last 3-4 days past its smoke date. To maximize fridge life:
- Cut turkey into smaller slices or portions to allow faster cooling.
- Place pieces in shallow airtight containers or wrap tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
- Ensure the fridge temp stays at 40 ̊F or below.
Keeping the turkey well-sealed prevents drying out. Storing in smaller portions helps the turkey cool quickly in the fridge. Proper cooling within 2 hours of smoking locks in safety and freshness.
How Long Does Smoked Turkey Last in the Freezer?
For longer term storage, the freezer is best for preserving smoked turkey. At a steady 0 ̊F or colder, frozen smoked turkey keeps its quality for 2-3 months.
To freeze properly:
- Double wrap turkey in heavy duty aluminum foil or plastic freezer wrap.
- Place wrapped turkey in freezer bags, squeezing out excess air.
- Label bags with date and contents.
Frozen storage stops bacteria in its tracks and prevents freezer burn. Thaw frozen smoked turkey in the refrigerator 1-2 days before eating.
Factors that Affect Smoked Turkey’s Shelf Life
There are a few key factors that determine how long smoked turkey stays fresh and safe to eat:
Smoking Method
- Cold smoking preserves turkey longer than hot smoking since the meat isn’t fully cooked through.
Curing
- Curing meats like turkey with salts, nitrates, nitrites or phosphates improves preservation.
Packaging
- Vacuum sealing offers the best protection by removing oxygen which causes spoilage.
Storage Temperature
- Consistent fridge temp at 40 ̊F or below and freezer temp at 0 ̊F or below prevents bacteria growth.
Handling
- Contamination from improper food handling shortens shelf life.
How to Tell if Smoked Turkey is Bad
Relying on sight, smell and touch are best for determining if smoked turkey has spoiled:
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Appearance – Signs of spoilage include mold growth, sliminess and unnatural colors like green, grey or black discoloration.
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Smell – Off odors of sourness or rottenness mean the turkey has gone bad. Trust your nose.
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Texture – Slime formation or tackiness indicates bacterial contamination. Edges may dry out but turkey shouldn’t be sticky/slimy.
If there are any indications of spoilage, it’s safest to discard the smoked turkey entirely. Don’t risk eating spoiled turkey.
Tips for Enjoying Leftover Smoked Turkey
Leftover smoked turkeydoesn’t have to go to waste! Here are tips for enjoying it:
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Store turkey pieces or slices in airtight containers in fridge once cooled after carving.
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Reheat in oven at 325 ̊F until warm, 165 ̊F internal temperature.
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Add broth or water to roasting pan to keep moist when reheating.
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Loosely tent turkey with foil while reheating to trap in steam.
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Enjoy on sandwiches, in casseroles, sliced over salads, or by itself!
Can You Refreeze Thawed Smoked Turkey?
It’s best not to refreeze smoked turkey once it has been thawed. However, if absolutely necessary, thaw in fridge, not room temp. When thawed, cook within 1-2 days. Portion for quick reheating. Refreeze cooked turkey only once in shallow airtight containers.
Refreezing increases risk of bacterial growth. Limit to only if needed.
Purchasing Pre-Smoked Turkey
If making your own smoked turkey isn’t in the cards, companies like Mahogany Smoked Meats offer mail order smoked turkey nationwide.
Their turkeys are smoked low and slow with mountain mahogany wood for up to 24 hours to develop rich flavor. The smoked turkeys arrive pre-cooked and ready to gently reheat and enjoy.
Vacuum-sealed with freezer gel packs, the turkeys stay fresh for days. It’s like having your own pitmaster!
The Bottom Line
So how long can you keep smoked turkey? Overall guidelines are:
- Fridge: 3-4 days maximum
- Freezer: 2-3 months for best quality
Monitor for signs of spoilage and don’t take risks with turkey that smells, looks or feels off. Follow proper cooling, freezing and thawing methods.
With smart storage, you can safely enjoy delicious smoked turkey for days after smoking or purchasing pre-smoked. A good smoked turkey is too tasty to let go to waste!
StepsMethod
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1 Carve the turkey into portions and wrap each of them in plastic wrap. Cut large pieces of smoked turkey into smaller portions or slice the meat. Then, place the portions on plastic wrap and seal them closed. Get the turkey ready to freeze within 2 hours of smoking it so harmful bacteria doesnt grow.
- If you dont want to use plastic wrap, wrap the meat in butcher paper or freezer paper.
- Smaller portions of smoked turkey defrost faster than large portions, so divide the turkey if you want to save time. For example, wrap the legs in 1 portion and the sliced turkey breast in 2 separate portions.
- Dont freeze a whole smoked turkey since its difficult to safely thaw and reheat the bird.
- 2 Cover the plastic-wrapped turkey in aluminum foil. Tear off sheets of aluminum foil that are large enough to completely wrap around your turkey portions. Seal the edges closed to hold the plastic wrap in place and stop moisture from escaping as you freeze the turkey.[5]
- Wrapping the smoked turkey in several layers also protects the meat from freezer burn.
- 3 Place the wrapped turkey into a freezer bag and label it. Squeeze the air out of the freezer bag before you seal it shut and then write whats in the bag and the date on the outside. The bag gives an extra layer of protection and prevents the turkey from making other things in your freezer smell smoky.[6]
- For example, write, “2 pounds (0.91 kg) sliced, smoked turkey, 7/7/20.”
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u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this under U.S. and international copyright laws. This is not</b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other s posted to the wikiHow website. This may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.4 Freeze the smoked turkey for up to 4 months. Although frozen turkey keeps indefinitely, youll get the best texture if you use it within 4 months of putting it in the freezer.[7]
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Things You’ll Need
- Shallow airtight containers
- Plastic wrap
- Aluminum foil
- Permanent marker
Real Texans know that Smoked Turkey is a must! #recipe #texasbbq #bbq #turkey
FAQ
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