Freezing leftover turkey is a great way to save it for fast easy dinners in the future. Follow these simple steps to keep your leftover turkey for months to come.
With families all over the country having smaller Thanksgivings this year, it is likely that you will have some leftover turkey. I’ve used this method to freeze both my Turkey Breast recipe and my Roast Turkey – it works great for both!
These simple and easy steps make it possible to keep turkey on hand for lots of great recipes. There is no need to get sick of turkey. Freeze your left overs and use them a month from now in leftover turkey recipes.
Turkey is a lean, versatile meat that can be used in everything from sandwiches to casseroles. It’s also relatively inexpensive, especially when purchased on sale around the holidays. For these reasons, many home cooks buy turkey in bulk when prices drop, freezing the extra meat for later use. But can you freeze turkey breast specifically?
The short answer is yes. Turkey breast can be frozen safely, allowing you to enjoy delicious turkey meals for months after purchasing the meat. However, there are some best practices you should follow when freezing turkey breast to maintain safety and quality.
How to Freeze Raw Turkey Breast
Freezing raw turkey breast is simple Here are some tips
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Wrap each breast tightly in plastic wrap or place in a freezer bag, removing as much air as possible. This prevents freezer burn which can dry out the meat.
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Label each package with the date. Raw turkey breast will maintain optimal quality frozen for 9-12 months.
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For better portion control cut breasts into smaller pieces or slices before freezing. Individual slices thaw faster.
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Freeze immediately after purchasing for best flavor and texture Don’t let raw breast linger in the fridge
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Use only high-quality, fresh breast meat. Discard any meat that smells off or has discolored spots.
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Place breast pieces in a single layer in the freezer until solidly frozen, then stack. This prevents them freezing together in a block.
Following these simple steps allows you to freeze raw turkey breast safely.
How to Freeze Cooked Turkey Breast
Cooked turkey breast requires a few additional considerations for optimal freezing:
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Let breast meat cool completely, about 30 minutes, before packaging for the freezer.
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Turkey cooked in broth or sauce may not freeze well, as liquids expand during freezing and can cause the meat to split.
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Portion the cooked breast into meal-sized amounts so you can thaw only what you need.
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Use shallow, airtight containers or bags, removing as much air as possible.
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Label packages with contents and date. Eat within 3-4 months for best quality.
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Reheating turkey from frozen may dry out the lean meat. Add sauce or gravy to help keep it moist.
Proper cooling, storage, and reheating will help maintain the taste and texture of cooked frozen turkey breast.
How Long Does Turkey Breast Last In the Freezer?
Both raw and cooked turkey can be frozen for long-term storage, but the recommended timelines differ:
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Raw turkey breast maintains optimal flavor and juiciness frozen for 9-12 months. It remains safe indefinitely but quality declines over time.
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Cooked turkey is best frozen for only 3-4 months. The cooked meat tends to dry out faster than raw.
Discard any turkey older than these recommended time frames. Always inspect the color and smell before use. Off-colors or foul odors indicate spoilage.
For optimal eating quality, use frozen raw turkey within a year and cooked turkey within 4 months. But never keep either beyond 2 years, even when continuously frozen.
How to Thaw Frozen Turkey Breast
Proper thawing is key for food safety and quality. Here are some safe ways to thaw frozen turkey breast:
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In the refrigerator: Place on a tray or plate to catch drips. Thaw breast in the fridge for 24-48 hours depending on size.
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In cold water: Place breast in a leak-proof bag and submerge in cold water, changing water every 30 minutes. Thaw up to 5 lbs breast per half hour of submersion.
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In the microwave: Use the defrost setting to thaw 5 mins per lb. Cook breast immediately after microwaving to avoid bacterial growth.
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As part of cooking: Roasting or simmering from frozen works for thawed outer portion to cook through while defrosting the inner part. May take 50% longer cooking time.
Never thaw turkey at room temperature or in hot water. This puts the meat in the danger zone for rapid bacterial growth.
Thaw in the fridge, cold water, microwave, or as part of cooking for safe, delicious turkey breast meals from the freezer.
Freezing Turkey Breast FAQs
Freezing turkey breast offers convenience but also raises many questions for home cooks. Here are some common FAQs:
Can you freeze raw turkey breast in its original packaging?
It’s best to repackage raw breast meat for the freezer to protect it from freezer burn. Overwrap packages or use airtight bags or containers.
Can cooked turkey breast be frozen in broth or gravy?
Not recommended. The liquid will likely cause the breast meat to split apart when frozen. Freeze turkey pieces without liquid, then add gravy or sauce fresh when reheating.
Is it safe to refreeze turkey breast after thawing?
Only if it was kept chilled below 40°F the entire thawing time, not allowed to sit at room temperature. Even then, quality declines with each freeze-thaw cycle.
Can stuffing be prepared with previously frozen turkey?
Yes, frozen and properly thawed turkey is safe for stuffing and gravy. Just be sure the turkey has thawed fully with no frozen spots remaining before cooking.
How do you know if frozen turkey breast has gone bad?
Signs of spoiled frozen turkey include an off smell, sliminess, or discolored patches. If in doubt, discard the turkey. Don’t taste meat that may be bad.
The Takeaway on Freezing Turkey Breast
Freezing is an easy way to preserve leftover turkey breast or make the most of sales on this healthy, versatile meat. With proper freezing, thawing, and food safety practices, you can enjoy delicious turkey for up to a year after purchase. Follow the guidelines here to freeze turkey breast like a pro!
How to Freeze Leftover Turkey
Freezing turkey to have for later recipes is really simple. The key to is to flash freeze it in a single layer so you are able to pull out just one cup at a time in the future.
Step 1: Cut the turkey into bite sized pieces.
I suggest that you freeze leftovers as soon as possible so you can get the maximum life span from them.
Step 2: Spread the turkey into a single layer on a parchment lined baking sheet.
Step 3: Freeze the cut up turkey for 1 hour.
This flash freezing is an important step. It will keep the turkey from clumping together when stored in the freezer. This way they freeze as individual pieces.
Step 4: Transfer the frozen turkey to a plastic bag.
That’s it! Now you can store the bag of frozen turkey in the freezer for up to three months.
If you are wondering what to do with leftover turkey after freezing it, I suggest some of these leftover turkey recipes (and I will have more coming next week).
With any soup or casserole recipe, you can add it to the recipe directly from the freezer. Just add a little more cooking time.
This turkey will last in the freezer in a sealed container for 3 months.
Leftover turkey will last in the refrigerator for 4 days and in the freeze for 3 months.
It depends on the recipe. For soups and casseroles, you can put the turkey right from the freezer into the recipe and add a little more time. For recipes like the sliders and the grilled cheese, thaw in the refrigerator overnight first.
Yes! This is exactly how I freeze rotisserie chicken as well. This is perfect for recipes like my Chicken Noodle Casserole. Follow me on social for more recipe ideas & inspiration!
