Leftover foods are cooked foods that you or your family do not eat within 2 hours after they are cooked. Leftovers include foods that you may eat before or after they have been stored in the refrigerator or freezer. The chance of food poisoning increases the longer you store a food after it is cooked. Improper handling or storing cooked food is one of the most common causes of food poisoning in the home. The careful cook can reduce this threat by following the guidelines below for storing, reheating, and disposing of leftover foods.
The holidays often mean enjoying a hearty turkey dinner with family and friends But not everyone can gather to eat it hot out of the oven Is it safe to cook your turkey ahead of time and refrigerate the whole bird?
Proper storage is crucial to prevent harmful bacterial growth on perishable foods like poultry. In this article we’ll provide guidance on refrigerating and reheating whole cooked turkeys. Follow these turkey storage tips to safely enjoy delicious leftovers without the risk of foodborne illness.
Overview of Refrigeration Guidelines
Before refrigerating any cooked food, it’s important to understand proper food safety principles. The “danger zone” for bacterial growth is between 40°F and 140°F. Cooked foods must pass through this temperature range quickly.
Hot foods should be refrigerated within 2 hours, or 1 hour if the temperature is above 90°F. Leftovers should be stored in shallow containers no more than 2-3 inches deep. This allows heat to escape and the food to cool quickly.
Once cooled below 40°F, leftovers can be safely stored for 3-4 days. It’s crucial to reheat them thoroughly to 165°F before eating. Freezing can extend shelf life considerably.
Can You Refrigerate a Whole Cooked Turkey?
Yes, it is safe to refrigerate a whole cooked turkey. However, extra care should be taken due to its large size and shape. Remove stuffing from the cavity and refrigerate separately.
Slice breast meat from the bone and refrigerate in shallow containers. Keep the rest of the turkey whole if possible. This helps retain moisture compared to shredding all of the meat initially.
Ideally, carve the turkey just before serving time. But if you need to refrigerate the entire bird, follow these tips:
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Allow to cool at room temperature for 30 minutes, then refrigerate within 2 hours.
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Use a deep tray or roasting pan. Avoid cramming into too small of a space.
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Cover pan completely with foil to block air exposure and prevent drying out.
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Refrigerate on the bottom shelf at 40°F or below. Use a refrigerator thermometer.
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Consume within 3-4 days for optimal freshness and food safety.
Step-by-Step Guide to Refrigerating Whole Turkey
Follow this straightforward process for properly refrigerating your roasted whole turkey:
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After removing turkey from oven, let stand at room temperature 30 minutes. This allows heat to evenly distribute for more efficient cooling.
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Remove any stuffing from cavity and place in a separate shallow storage container. Cover and refrigerate immediately.
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Transfer whole turkey in the roasting pan to the refrigerator. Tent pan tightly with aluminum foil to seal in moisture.
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Place pan on bottom shelf of refrigerator. Don’t overcrowd refrigerator or airflow will be blocked.
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Allow turkey to refrigerate for 2-3 hours until interior temperature drops below 40°F.
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Use refrigerated turkey within 3-4 days. Reheat thoroughly to 165°F until hot and steaming before consuming.
Can You Refrigerate a Stuff Turkey?
Stuffing cooked inside the turkey cavity should always be removed and stored separately. The stuffing takes longer to cool and is more prone to bacterial growth.
Transfer cooked stuffing to shallow containers no more than 2 inches deep. Allow it to rapidly cool down before covering and refrigerating immediately.
Reheat stuffing to 165°F alongside sliced turkey meat when ready to serve. Never attempt to re-stuff a cooked turkey.
Key Tips for Refrigerating Turkey
Keep these safe turkey refrigeration tips in mind:
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Use a thermometer to verify the refrigerator is below 40°F. Monitor the internal temperature of the turkey.
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Allow airflow in the refrigerator. Don’t overcrowd shelves.
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Store in shallow layers less than 2 inches deep so the turkey cools quickly.
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Prevent drying out by sealing the wrapped turkey tightly with foil or an airtight container.
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Use refrigerated turkey within 3-4 days for safety and quality.
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Discard if mold or an unpleasant odor develops. This signals spoilage.
Should You Cook Turkey Ahead of Time?
Cooking your turkey in advance allows you to relax with guests instead of slaving in the kitchen on the big day. But is it the best method?
Some people insist that a fresh, hot roasted turkey is ideal and worth the effort. Others find cooking ahead more practical for their gatherings.
Here are some pros and cons to consider when deciding whether to refrigerate cooked turkey:
Pros:
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Make-ahead approach allows more time to focus on sides and other dishes
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No need to wake up extremely early to start cooking
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Turkey can be carved as needed instead of sitting out for long periods
Cons:
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Some moisture is lost through refrigeration
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Skin may be less crispy when reheated
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Timed additional dishes may be tricky with pre-cooked turkey
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Fridge space is required for large bird
Ultimately the choice depends on your timing, oven space, refrigerator room, and personal preferences. Both methods can yield delicious holiday turkeys when food safety guidelines are followed.
How to Reheat a Refrigerated Cooked Turkey
The proper way to reheat leftover turkey is slow and gentle. This prevents drying out the meat while allowing it to heat all the way through.
Here are some recommended reheating methods:
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Oven: Preheat to 325°F. Cover turkey with foil and heat until it reaches 165°F internally.
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Microwave: Cover slices and heat at 50% power in 30 second increments until hot, checking temperature.
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Stovetop: Heat turkey in broth, gravy, or sauce over low heat until fully warmed through.
Bring all meat, stuffing, sides and gravy to 165°F. Heating thoroughly kills any bacteria and makes the meal safe to enjoy.
Can You Refreeze Turkey Leftovers?
Freezing is an excellent way to preserve cooked turkey longer term. Sliced meat can be frozen for 4-6 months. Turkey coated with gravy or broth lasts up to 1 year.
Refreezing previously frozen turkey is not recommended. Only freeze leftovers one time for safety and quality.
Thaw frozen turkey in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. Never thaw or marinate meat at room temperature. This allows bacteria to multiply rapidly.
Enjoy Your Leftovers Safely
Refrigerating a whole cooked turkey not only provides wonderful leftovers, but frees up oven space and allows you to focus on side dishes when serving a crowd. Just be sure to follow proper food safety guidelines.
Allow the turkey to cool quickly, refrigerate within 2 hours, maintain a temperature below 40°F, and reheat thoroughly. With safe storage and handling, you can continue enjoying delicious cooked turkey for 3-4 days after the big meal.
How To Store Leftovers
All cooked foods should be reheated to 165 F., refrigerated, or frozen within 2 hours after cooking. In hot weather, that time limit is only 1 hour. Remember that the “safe” period starts after the food is cooked. It includes the time that the food sits before being served and the time it sits on the table while the meal is being eaten. This period lasts until the food is actually in the refrigerator or freezer.
Remember to wash your hands with soap and water before handling any cooked food, especially food you store to eat later. Use clean utensils to handle the food, and store it in clean containers. Do not put food back into the same container it was in before it was cooked, unless you have carefully cleaned the container with soap and water. Do not place food on a counter or cutting board before refrigerating or freezing, unless you have carefully cleaned the surface beforehand.
You should place foods to be refrigerated or frozen in small, shallow containers, 3 inches tall or less, and cover them completely. Do not stack these containers right next to other containers, but leave some air space around them. By using shallow containers and by leaving air space around the containers you can promote rapid, even cooling of the food. When you refrigerate or freeze cooked food in a large, deep container, the food in the center of the container remains warm for a longer time. Dangerous bacteria may grow in this warm spot without making the food look or smell bad. If you eat this food later, you may get food poisoning.
Never taste leftovers that are of questionable age or safety.
As a general rule, never keep leftovers for more than 4 days.
Remember to remove the stuffing from cooked poultry and refrigerate or freeze it separately. You should do this because the stuffing in the center of the bird can stay warm long enough for food poisoning bacteria to grow. By removing the stuffing and placing it in its own container, you allow it to cool more rapidly.
If you date leftovers before refrigerating them, this can help you ensure they do not remain in your refrigerator too long.
Warming Leftover Foods – When leftover foods are reheated, make sure you heat them completely. Leftovers that are merely “warmed” and not heated throughout are much more likely to cause food poisoning. Cover any leftover sauces, soups, gravies, and other “wet” foods, and heat them to a rolling boil before they are served. Heat all other foods to 165 F. throughout. Be sure to stir foods while you reheat them, to ensure that all the food reaches the appropriate temperature.
When leftovers have been in the refrigerator too long or if they look or smell unusual, throw them out!
Anytime you are in doubt about the freshness or safety of any food, dispose of it. This is especially important for leftover foods. Dispose of any potentially unsafe food in a garbage disposal or a tightly wrapped package, so that it cannot be eaten by other people or animals.
If you follow these suggestions for handling leftover foods safely, you will improve the safety of your family’s food. Food poisoning is a preventable tragedy, and you can prevent it by following these simple guidelines for handling leftovers safely.
Question: Is it OK to refrigerate a cooked turkey whole? That is, can I leave it on the carcass or do I need to debone it? Do I refrigerate while still hot? Thanks. – Olga (11/19/07)
Answer: Yes, you can refrigerate a whole cooked turkey, Always refrigerate as soon as possible, and do not let the turkey sit on your counter to cool. You never said why you would want to refrigerate a whole turkey. If this is still what you want to do, refrigerate while still warm from the oven.
If you are talking about refrigerating your turkey after your turkey dinner, then refrigerate as soon as you are done with your turkey dinner, refrigerate the remaining turkey. The safety rules say you have a two (2) hour window for refrigerating the turkey. Any foods that have been at room temperature longer than two (2) hours must be tossed or thrown away!
When storing leftover turkey, be sure to remove the meat from the carcass before refrigerating, otherwise it will take too long to get cold. If you plan to save the carcass for stock (which I do), pick the bones cleans and refrigerate the carcass separately.
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How long can you keep a thawed turkey in the refrigerator before cooking?
How long does a cooked turkey last in the fridge?
When stored in the refrigerator, turkey does not last as long. Snyder points to the USDA FoodKeeper app for best guidance: The tool notes that refrigerated, cooked turkey should be eaten within 4 days. Eat frozen turkey leftovers within 6 months for premier quality.
How do you Refrigerate a Turkey?
Cut the turkey from the bones, slice as desired, put in containers, cover, and refrigerate. Potatoes, vegetables, and gravy should also be refrigerated in shallow containers. Reheat everything to at least 165 F (73.9 C). The food should be hot and steaming.
Can you freeze cooked turkey?
In short, no. The USDA recommends using cooked turkey within 3–4 days, kept refrigerated (40°F or less). If you do want to keep it for longer, consider freezing it, ideally as soon as it has cooled down, on the day of cooking. Can I freeze leftover turkey?
How long can you keep leftover Turkey in the freezer?
Leftover turkey can be kept in the freezer for up to 6 months, according to the USDA. The rule with reheating turkey — or any Thanksgiving leftover — is simple: Heat up food until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the USDA. Use a food thermometer to check the temperature.