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 legs are a delicious, juicy, and flavorful part of the bird that are perfect for special occasions like Thanksgiving or anytime you want to enjoy dark meat But leftovers happen, and you may find yourself wondering – can you freeze cooked turkey legs? The answer is yes! Freezing is an excellent way to preserve cooked turkey legs so you can enjoy them later. In this detailed guide, I’ll provide tips on proper storage, how long they last in the freezer, and more
Overview of Freezing Turkey Legs
Freezing cooked turkey legs allows you to keep them fresh longer and avoid waste. When frozen correctly, turkey legs can maintain quality and flavor for up to 3-4 months in the freezer. To freeze them properly:
- Allow cooked turkey legs to cool completely before freezing.
- Package legs tightly in airtight containers or freezer bags, removing as much air as possible.
- Label with contents and freeze date.
- Store at 0°F or below for optimal freshness.
- Once thawed, consume within 3-4 days.
Following proper freezing guidelines will help retain moisture, texture, and taste of the turkey legs once thawed.
Step-by-Step Guide to Freezing Turkey Legs
Follow these simple steps for freezing cooked turkey legs:
Cool Completely
It’s important to let cooked turkey legs cool to room temperature before freezing. This usually takes about 20-30 minutes. Cooling stops the cooking process which helps maintain quality.
Package Airtight
Place cooled turkey legs in air-tight containers like freezer-safe plastic bags or storage containers Squeeze out excess air before sealing to prevent freezer burn Hard frozen turkey legs don’t freezer burn as quickly.
Label Properly
Label packages with contents and freeze date so you know what it is and when you froze it Store similar food items together and use oldest first for best quality
Freeze at 0°F
Store packages in coldest part of freezer, at 0°F or below. Constant temperature is important for safe freezing. Avoid opening the freezer frequently so temperature remains stable.
Thaw in Refrigerator
Thaw frozen turkey legs overnight in the refrigerator. Cold temperatures preserve quality better than room temp thawing. Cook within 3-4 days for food safety.
Following these basic steps will ensure your turkey legs retain optimum flavor, juiciness and texture when frozen.
Storage Times for Frozen Turkey Legs
How long turkey legs last frozen depends on storage temperature and packaging. Proper freezing and storage makes the following freezer times possible:
- At 0°F or below – 3 to 4 months quality. Up to 9 months safe but quality declines.
- At -10°F or below – 6 months quality. Up to 12 months safe.
- Vacuum sealed at 0°F – Up to 1 year quality.
I recommend eating frozen turkey legs within 3-6 months for best flavor, texture, and moisture. Monitor your freezer temperature to optimize storage times.
Tips for Freezing Turkey Legs
Follow these tips for best frozen turkey leg quality:
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Chill broth or gravy before freezing turkey legs in liquids. Helps prevent separation.
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Use vacuum sealing or double wrap to protect from freezer burn. Keep frozen until ready to use.
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Portion legs into meal-size amounts before freezing for easier thawing and use.
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Freeze turkey legs without stuffing which can affect texture. Freeze stuffing separately.
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Stack packages in single layers in freezer with air space between to ensure freeze stability.
Proper freezing and thawing are key for retaining the juiciness, tenderness, and flavor of cooked turkey legs. Take steps to maximize quality in the freezer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you freeze cooked turkey legs with the skin on?
Yes, you can freeze turkey legs with the skin on. Make sure the skin is covered by packaging to retain quality and prevent freezer burn.
How do you thaw frozen turkey legs?
Thaw frozen turkey legs by placing packages on a plate in the refrigerator overnight. Microwave defrosting is not recommended. Cook thawed turkey legs within 3-4 days.
Can you refreeze turkey legs?
It is not recommended to refreeze previously frozen turkey legs. Refreezing can increase risk of foodborne illness. Cook thawed turkey legs within 3-4 days.
What happens if you freeze turkey legs too long?
Freezing turkey legs longer than 3-4 months may lead to diminished quality – dried out meat, poor texture, and loss of flavor. However up to 9-12 months is considered safe for consumption.
Can you cook frozen turkey legs?
Yes, you can cook frozen turkey legs without thawing first. Add 50% more cooking time to account for frozen state. Use a meat thermometer to confirm internal temp reaches 165°F.
Enjoy Delicious Turkey Legs!
With proper freezing techniques, you can keep cooked turkey legs fresh for months and enjoy their fabulous flavor anytime. Follow the tips in this guide for packaging, freezing, storage times, and thawing to get the most out of your frozen turkey legs. Thoroughly thawed and reheated, they will taste wonderfully juicy and delicious. Happy freezing!
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!
