The Complete Guide to Freezing Ground Turkey for Freshness

Buying bird in bulk is cost-effective and helps healthier meals happen for your household. Turkey is a tasty base for many meals—from meatballs and burgers to tacos and tetrazzini—the options are endless. But how long is ground turkey good in the freezer? Learn when to toss the turkey and how to keep it fresh for longer.

Ground turkey is a lean, versatile meat that can be used in everything from burgers to meatloaf. And buying ground turkey in bulk is a great way to save money at the grocery store. But with its short shelf life, you may wonder – can you freeze ground turkey to extend its freshness?

The answer is a resounding yes! When stored properly in the freezer, ground turkey can last for months while retaining its quality and nutritional value.

As a busy home cook and mom, I rely on my freezer to make ground turkey readily available whenever a recipe calls for it. In this guide, I’ll share my tips for successfully freezing and thawing ground turkey.

How Long Does Ground Turkey Last in the Fridge and Freezer?

First, let’s review how long ground turkey lasts when properly stored

Raw ground turkey in the fridge: 1 to 2 days
Cooked ground turkey in the fridge: 3 to 4 days
Raw ground turkey in the freezer: 4 to 6 months for best quality
Cooked ground turkey in the freezer: 2 to 3 months

As you can see the freezer gives you way more mileage out of ground turkey compared to refrigeration. Let’s look at how to freeze it for maximum freshness.

Step 1 – Prepare the Ground Turkey

Before freezing, it’s important to divide the ground turkey into meal-sized portions. This makes it easy to thaw just what you need each time.

For raw ground turkey, form it into patties or meatballs, or divide it into 1 pound portions.
For cooked ground turkey, portion it into recipe-ready amounts like:
- 1 cup crumbles for tacos
- 2 cups meat mixture for casseroles
- 4 burger patties

Place each portion in a labeled freezer bag or airtight container. This prevents freezer burn which can make the meat dry out.

Step 2 – Freeze Promptly

Next, quickly move the ground turkey from the fridge into the freezer. I like to place it in the back where the temperature is most constant.

Raw ground turkey that is frozen within 1 to 2 days of purchasing retains the most freshness and flavor. Cooked ground turkey should go straight from the stovetop into the freezer within 2 hours of cooking.

Quick freezing prevents excess moisture loss and quality deterioration.

Step 3 – Maximize Shelf Life

Once in the freezer, ground turkey keeps best at 0°F or below. Most home freezers range from 0°F to 10°F.

To maximize shelf life, use frozen ground turkey within:

Raw turkey: 4 months
Cooked turkey: 2 to 3 months

I recommend labeling bags with the freeze date and using the oldest first. Frozen ground turkey keeps indefinitely past these times, but the taste and texture decline over longer storage.

Thawing Frozen Ground Turkey Safely

Always thaw frozen ground turkey in the refrigerator or microwave, never at room temperature. Room temp thawing causes bacteria to multiply rapidly.

Here are some safe thawing methods:

Fridge: Place frozen ground turkey on a plate to thaw overnight or up to 2 days.
Cold water: Submerge sealed bag in cold water, changing water every 30 minutes. About 30 minutes per pound.
Microwave: Microwave frozen ground turkey at 50% power for 2 minutes per pound, flipping halfway.

Check that frozen ground turkey is fully thawed before cooking. Raw turkey should reach an internal temperature of 165°F, and cooked turkey should be heated to 165°F.

Recipes for Your Frozen Stash

The possibilities are endless when it comes to cooking with frozen ground turkey! Here are some of my favorite ways to use it:

Turkey veggie lasagna
Healthy turkey burger patties
Zucchini turkey meatloaf
Easy turkey tetrazzini
Chili with ground turkey
Turkey & black bean tacos
Hearty turkey bolognese sauce

Get creative with spices, sauces, and produce to give your frozen ground turkey delicious new life.

The Takeaway

can you freeze ground turkey

How Long is Hamburger Meat Good for in the Freezer?

Hamburger meat, AKA ground beef, should be treated similarly to ground turkey. For the best results, freeze it within 2 days of purchase. It will last in your freezer for up to a year, but it’s best if used within 4 months.

Prepare ground beef for the freezer in the same way you would ground turkey (see above).

Always defrost all ground meat in the refrigerator—this prevents dangerous bacteria from growing.

How to Store Ground Turkey in the Freezer

Before you freeze raw, ground turkey, look for the sell-by date. It’s best to freeze your ground turkey within 2 days of purchasing it, and no longer than 2 days after the sell-by date.

How long is ground turkey good in the freezer? 3-4 months for optimal freshness.

Frozen ground turkey is safe for up to 1 year in a freezer but may decrease quality and taste over time. For the freshest taste, it’s best to use within 4 months.

Pro-Tip: You can keep ground turkey in its original packaging. Wrap tightly in aluminum foil and place in a freezer-specific plastic bag. Don’t forget to write the date on the bag.

HOW TO COOK AND FREEZE GROUND BEEF/TURKEY

FAQ

Does ground turkey freeze well?

It’s best to freeze your ground turkey within 2 days of purchasing it, and no longer than 2 days after the sell-by date. How long is ground turkey good in the freezer? 3-4 months for optimal freshness. Frozen ground turkey is safe for up to 1 year in a freezer but may decrease quality and taste over time.

Can you freeze ground turkey in an original package?

It is safe to freeze meat or poultry directly in its original packaging, however this type of wrap is permeable to air and quality may diminish over time. For prolonged storage, overwrap these packages as you would any food for long-term storage.

How to wrap ground turkey to freeze?

Information. Wrap meat securely to maintain quality and to prevent meat juices from getting onto other foods. Cover food to keep it from drying out. To maintain quality when freezing meat and poultry in its original package, wrap the package again with foil or plastic wrap that is recommended for the freezer.

Why is my ground turkey turning brown in the freezer?

Color changes can occur in frozen foods but the foods remain safe to eat. The bright red color of meat as purchased usually turns dark or pale brown depending on its variety. This may be due to lack of oxygen, freezer burn or abnormally long storage.