Thanksgiving is over and you’re left with a huge cooked turkey that didn’t all get eaten. Now what? Freezing the leftovers is a great option to help reduce food waste and allow you to enjoy delicious turkey meals for weeks to come. But can you freeze a whole cooked turkey? And if so, how do you do it properly?
In this complete guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about freezing cooked turkey, including:
- Can you freeze a whole turkey?
- How long does cooked turkey last in the fridge?
- What’s the best way to package turkey for the freezer?
- How long does frozen turkey last?
- What are the best methods for thawing frozen turkey?
- How to reheat and use that frozen turkey in recipes
Can You Freeze a Whole Cooked Turkey?
The short answer is yes, you can absolutely freeze a whole cooked turkey if you have leftovers after the big meal Freezing cooked turkey is a great way to save the leftovers to enjoy later
However, depending on the size of your turkey, you may find it easier to break it down into smaller portions before freezing Trying to cram a 20 pound bird into your freezer can be tricky. Plus, smaller packages will freeze quicker and allow you to thaw only what you need at a time
If you do want to freeze the entire turkey, make sure you have enough freezer space It’s best to place the turkey in a deep pan that fits in your freezer Tightly wrap the entire pan with heavy duty aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn.
How Long Does Cooked Turkey Last in the Fridge?
Before freezing any leftovers, proper storage is key for food safety. Cooked turkey that has been refrigerated correctly will last 3-4 days in the fridge.
Be sure to carve the turkey within 2 hours of cooking and immediately refrigerate in shallow containers to allow for rapid cooling. The “danger zone” for bacterial growth is between 40°F-140°F. Never leave cooked turkey at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
For optimal freshness and flavor, freeze any leftovers within 1-2 days. Turkey that has been stored for 3-4 days in the fridge can still be frozen but may suffer some loss of quality.
How to Package Turkey for Freezing
To freeze turkey properly, the key steps are protecting it from freezer burn and sealing out excess air. Here are some tips:
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Allow cooked turkey to cool completely before packaging for the freezer.
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Cut turkey off the bone into smaller portions if needed. Pieces like breast meat, legs, and wings can be frozen individually.
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Place turkey pieces in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, about 1-2 hours. This prevents them sticking together.
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Use heavy duty freezer bags, plastic freezer wrap, or airtight freezer containers. Remove as much air as possible and seal tightly.
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Label bags with contents and freeze date. Use permanent marker.
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Avoid overstuffing packages. Leave room for expansion as liquids freeze.
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Try to exclude gravy or sauce, as this can change texture of meat during freezing. Freeze gravy separately.
Following these steps minimizes ice crystals and helps maintain turkey flavor and moisture.
How Long Does Frozen Turkey Last?
Frozen cooked turkey that has been properly packaged can safely stay frozen for 3-4 months. However, for best quality, use frozen turkey within 2-3 months.
Store frozen turkey at 0°F or below to maintain freshness as long as possible. Check your freezer temperature to ensure it’s cold enough.
Though technically safe for longer, frozen turkey may develop freezer burn or dryness if kept frozen for over 4 months. Use your judgement on appearance and odor after thawing.
Always follow “First In, First Out” for using up frozen foods, and don’t let packages get lost in your freezer too long.
Thawing Frozen Turkey Safely
Never thaw turkey on the counter or at room temperature. Bacteria multiply rapidly above 40°F.
Here are the safest methods to thaw frozen turkey:
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Refrigerator: Place frozen turkey in a container or leakproof bag. Allow 24 hours for every 4-5 lbs.
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Cold Water: Submerge sealed turkey in cold tap water, changing water every 30 minutes. About 30 minutes per pound of turkey.
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Microwave: Follow manufacturer’s defrost setting based on turkey’s weight. Use microwave-safe container, stop to check often.
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As Part of Cooking: For recipes like soup or chili, frozen turkey can sometimes be added straight to the cooking pot.
Once thawed, use turkey within 1-2 days and never refreeze thawed meats. Thawed turkey can be safely refrozen only if it has not reached above 40°F.
Tips for Using Frozen Turkey
Beyond sandwiches, there are endless ways to enjoy delicious frozen turkey meals:
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Shred or dice for turkey chili, soups, casseroles, tetrazzini, turkey pot pie, etc.
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Dice or slice for stir fries, fajitas, omelets, fried rice, and more.
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Make bone broth from the carcass.
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Use turkey pieces for easy weeknight dinners like turkey kabobs, turkey lettuce wraps, turkey quesadillas. Get creative!
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Make leftover turkey tetrazzini, enchiladas, pot pie, or casserole. Comfort food at its best!
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Mix with mayo, cranberries, and walnuts for an easy turkey salad. Enjoy on bread, crackers, or lettuce wraps.
With proper storage techniques, you can enjoy your turkey leftovers for months. Follow these freezing, thawing, and reheating tips for great-tasting frozen turkey all season long.
StepsMethod
- Sharp knife
- Freezer-safe bag or container
- Tape (optional)
- Permanent marker
Thawing the Turkey
- Basin or sink (optional)
- Cold water (optional)
- Store sides like stuffing in separate containers or bags. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
- If youre freezing turkey that already has gravy poured over it, leave 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) of space in the bag when you remove the excess air so the gravy can expand safely when it freezes. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 2
- Avoid stacking a bunch of containers on top of one another in the freezer so the air can circulate around each food item and freeze thoroughly. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1
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Can you freeze cooked turkey then reheat?
FAQ
Can cooked turkey be frozen and reheated?
How do you reheat a whole frozen turkey?
Can you freeze a whole turkey breast?
How do you store a whole cooked turkey?
Can you freeze cooked turkey?
Make sure that any plastic bag that you use to freeze cooked turkey is a genuine freezer bag made out of thick plastic and with a zippered closing. Don’t use thin plastic sandwich bags with fold-over tops to freeze leftover turkey, as they allow too much air into the package. The result could be bacteria growth and freezer burn.
Can you freeze a Turkey in a quart sized freezer bag?
Measuring cup — If a quart-sized freezer bag is too large for your needs, you can also freeze the leftover turkey in 1-cup portions. Aluminum foil or plastic wrap — If freezing the turkey in 1-cup portions, I recommend wrapping each portion in foil or plastic wrap before sealing in a larger freezer bag.
How do you store cooked turkey in the freezer?
You have several storage container options when it comes to keeping cooked turkey in your freezer. Lay two or three cooked turkey slices on a sheet of tin foil. Fold the tin foil over the turkey slices. Smooth the foil over the meat to release any air. Don’t crumple the foil in any way, and try to make the package as airtight as possible.
Can you freeze cooked turkey thighs?
Yes, you can freeze cooked turkey legs. To freeze cooked turkey legs, follow the same steps as for freezing cooked turkey. Can I freeze cooked turkey thighs? Yes, you can freeze cooked turkey thighs. To freeze cooked turkey thighs, follow the same steps as for freezing cooked turkey. it is clear that you can freeze cooked turkey.