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.
As Thanksgiving and Christmas approach, many of us find ourselves cooking large turkeys for our holiday meals. But even after inviting all your family and friends over, you can still end up with a ton of leftovers! So what do you do with the leftover cooked turkey? Can you freeze cooked turkey after it’s been refrigerated for 4 days?
The short answer is yes you can freeze turkey after refrigerating it for up to 4 days. However, for best quality and taste it’s ideal to freeze cooked turkey within 1-2 days after cooking.
Here’s a more detailed overview of how long you can store cooked turkey in the fridge before freezing it, how to properly freeze turkey parts, and how long frozen leftovers will last.
How Long Can Cooked Turkey Stay in the Fridge Before Freezing?
According to the USDA, cooked turkey can be safely stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. During this time, refrigeration slows but does not completely stop bacterial growth.
For best quality, it’s ideal to freeze cooked turkey within 1-2 days of preparation. Freezing it right away helps lock in moisture and prevents the turkey from drying out.
However, cooked turkey that has been properly refrigerated for up to 4 days can still be safely frozen. As long as the turkey has been stored in air-tight containers and hasn’t dried out, freezing it after 3-4 days in the fridge is fine.
While turkey frozen on day 4 is still safe to eat when thawed, you may notice some difference in texture and flavor compared to turkey frozen right away on days 1-2. Portioning the turkey and freezing it in smaller containers can help minimize quality loss.
How to Properly Freeze Cooked Turkey Parts
Freezing cooked turkey is simple if you follow a few guidelines:
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Allow the cooked turkey to fully cool before freezing it. Warm turkey will release moisture and juices in the freezer leading to freezer burn.
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Portion or slice the turkey into smaller pieces or slices before freezing. Smaller portions freeze quicker and allow you to thaw only what you need later.
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Place the cooled turkey pieces in air-tight containers, freezer bags, or foil. Exclude as much air as possible and make sure the turkey is tightly sealed.
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Label the containers with the turkey type, portion amount, and freeze date so you know what’s inside and when it expires.
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Freeze the sealed turkey for up to 4 months for optimal flavor and texture. Vacuum-sealed turkey can even last up to 6 months.
For best results, flash freeze turkey slices on a parchment-lined baking sheet before sealing them in bags. This prevents them from clumping together. You can also freeze turkey submerged in broth or gravy to prevent freezer burn.
How Long Does Frozen Turkey Last?
Properly stored cooked turkey can last 3-4 months in a regular freezer and 4-6 months if vacuum sealed before noticeable freezer burn or quality loss occurs.
For best quality, the USDA recommends consuming frozen cooked turkey within 2-3 months. Turkey that has been continuously frozen for longer than 4 months can suffer from deteriorating texture and moisture loss.
Always make sure frozen turkey has been properly thawed in the refrigerator before reheating. Never leave it to thaw on the counter, as this provides opportunity for bacteria growth. And don’t refreeze previously frozen turkey once it has been thawed.
Can You Freeze Ground Turkey After Cooking?
The same guidelines apply when freezing cooked ground turkey. Make sure cooked ground turkey is cooled completely before portioning it into freezer bags or airtight containers. Exclude as much air as possible and freeze for up to 3-4 months.
Pre-portioning cooked ground turkey into recipe-ready amounts makes it easy to defrost just what you need for dishes like tacos, pasta sauce, casseroles, soups, and more down the road.
Storing Cooked Turkey Safely Is Key
When freezing cooked turkey after refrigerating it for up to 4 days, take steps to prevent contamination:
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Store turkey in the back of the fridge furthest from the door, where temperature regulation is best.
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Make sure your fridge temperature is 40°F or below. Use a fridge thermometer to monitor.
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Keep turkey in airtight, moisture-proof packaging or containers like freezer bags and plastic wrap.
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Never freeze turkey that has been left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
Following safe turkey handling, cooling, refrigeration, freezing, and thawing practices helps prevent foodborne illness. If in doubt, remember the old adage – when in doubt, throw it out!
Enjoy Your Leftover Turkey For Months
Freezing cooked turkey enables you to enjoy your holiday bird beyond just the main feast. The frozen leftovers can be used in endless recipes for up to 4 months after cooking.
So go ahead and freeze that extra turkey after 4 days in the fridge. With proper cooling, storage, and freezing techniques, you can safely preserve cooked turkey for several months of leftovers. Just make sure to label your frozen turkey so you know when it was cooked and frozen.
Now you don’t have to feel stressed about eating up all that leftover turkey before it goes bad. Simply freeze it in meal-sized portions to pull out and enjoy for turkey tetrazzini, soup, pot pie, sandwiches, casseroles, and more! Your cooked turkey will be waiting in the freezer whenever that turkey craving hits.
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!
Can you freeze cooked turkey after 5 days?
FAQ
How long can turkey be in fridge before freezing?
Can you reheat turkey after 4 days?
How do you freeze cooked turkey so it stays moist?
What is the longest you can freeze a turkey?
How long does cooked turkey last in the fridge?
According to the USDA, leftovers will last up to 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator, but if you know you have more than you can eat in a few days, freeze it sooner rather than later. To freeze cooked turkey, first pick the meat from the bones. If you want to freeze dark and light meat separately, now would be the time to sort it.
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.
How long does frozen turkey last?
Label and Freeze Ideally, you should be consuming cooked and frozen turkey within 3 months, it is a good idea to label the bags or containers with the date frozen. This will prompt you to throw out any frozen cooked turkey that has not been consumed before its expiry date.
Can you eat frozen turkey leftovers after 6 months?
Eat frozen turkey leftovers within 6 months for premier quality. “Other slower changes to quality, like freezer burn, can eventually render leftovers unacceptable,” Snyder says, noting that this is not an issue of safety when it comes to frozen leftovers.