Decoding Turkey Date Labels: What Do Sell By, Use By, and Best By Actually Mean?

November is here! And that means its time to start planning your Thanksgiving menu, following a cooking schedule that starts a month in advance. Dont panic, weve come up with some helpful tips for making the holidays easier, including the perfect pie crust recipe and which Thanksgiving wines to serve. But before we get to any of that, youll want to know just when to order your Thanksgiving turkey.

Out of all the items on our handy dandy Thanksgiving shopping list, the turkey is something you should start thinking about as soon as possible. So, when exactly do you need to buy your Thanksgiving turkey? The answer depends on a couple of factors. Are you planning on buying a fresh turkey or frozen turkey? How much space do you have to store it and how do you plan to order your turkey—online or from a store? Below, youll find a breakdown of when to buy or order your turkey for every circumstance, so read on before its too late!

Then, check out our tips for how much turkey you need per person and Ree Drummonds recipe for turkey brine. (It makes all the difference!)

As Thanksgiving approaches, grocery store shelves fill up with shiny, plump turkeys. But staring down all those turkey options can lead to confusion – what do the different date labels actually mean? Understanding the terminology is key to picking the freshest bird and safely storing it until turkey day.

Sell By Date

The sell by date is meant for retailers, not consumers. It informs the store how long that product should be displayed for sale. The sell by date is typically several days before the use by or best by date. A turkey should not be sold in stores past its sell by date. However, just because the turkey has passed the sell by date does not necessarily mean it is bad.

Use By or Freeze By Date

The use by or freeze by date indicates the last day the turkey should be eaten or frozen for best quality. The manufacturer has determined this is the last day they can guarantee peak freshness and flavor. Turkey should be cooked, eaten, or frozen by this date for best results.

After the use by date has passed, the turkey may lose quality but should still be safe if properly handled and stored Make sure to check for signs of spoilage.

Best By Date

Similar to use by, the best by date specifies when the turkey will be at peak quality in terms of taste, texture, and appearance. Cook or freeze the turkey by this date for premium freshness, although it will likely still be fine for a period after.

Tips for Decoding Turkey Date Labels

Look for a use by or best by date, not a sell by date. Use by/best by dates indicate when the turkey should be cooked or frozen.
Check the calendar. Turkeys typically arrive at grocery stores 1-2 weeks before Thanksgiving. Make sure the use by date is at least a couple days after Thanksgiving.
Examine the packaging. Turkey should be cold and tightly wrapped with no tears.
Give it a sniff. Raw turkey should have no unpleasant odors. Don’t purchase turkey with an off-putting smell.
Opt for fresh over frozen if cooking within 3-5 days Fresh turkeys have a superior texture
Frozen turkey lasts indefinitely, but for best quality cook within 1 year. Check for freezer burn.
Once purchased, store fresh raw turkey in the fridge and cook within 3-5 days. Freeze additional fresh turkey.

Safely Storing Turkey Based on Date Labels

Follow these tips once you get your turkey home:

Immediately store fresh turkey in the coldest part of the refrigerator if not cooking within 1-2 days. Use within 3-5 days for best quality.
Freeze extra fresh turkey within 1-2 days using airtight heavy duty foil, freezer bags, or freezer paper. It will keep for 1 year frozen.
Thaw frozen turkey safely in the fridge 1-2 days before cooking. Do not thaw at room temperature.
Do not refreeze turkey once it has been thawed. Cook within 1-2 days.
Heat fully cooked turkey to 165°F. Store leftovers for 3-4 days in the fridge.

Following date label best practices ensures you select the freshest turkey and safely store it until go time on Thanksgiving. What matters most is that your turkey tastes delicious and feeds your family, not the day it was packaged. Relax and enjoy the holiday!

fresh turkey sell by date

When to buy a fresh turkey?

Whether or not you reserve a turkey from the store, picking up your turkey or actually purchasing a fresh turkey should be something you do within a couple of days of Thanksgiving. According to Butterball, an unopened fresh turkey can be stored in the refrigerator until the sell-by date but should be cooked within four days.

When should I order a turkey for Thanksgiving?

Ordering a turkey is always a good idea, especially if you dont want to be stressed during your Thanksgiving prep. Many grocery stores and farms these days allow you to order or reserve your fresh turkey in advance and pick it up closer to the holiday. Not only will this help you ensure that you get a turkey on the table, but you can also reserve the right size turkey to feed your family.

If you’re looking for a mail-order turkey, there are plenty of online grocers that will allow you to skip the busy supermarket altogether! Just be sure to check the delivery dates to ensure it arrives in time for your holiday feast.

Expert’s Guide to Shopping for Turkey

FAQ

How long will a fresh uncooked turkey last in the fridge?

If properly stored, raw turkey can last in the fridge for 1–2 days, while cold cuts last up to 5 days. How long does cooked turkey last in the fridge? If you have leftovers that include cooked turkey, you can expect those to last in the refrigerator for 3–4 days.

Can you eat turkey on sell by date?

Sell by – This creates an easy date for the retailer to know when the product has to be removed from their shelf and disposed of instead of being sold. In general, consumers have one to three days to use that meat product if it is fresh before there would be concern from a safety standpoint.

How long does fresh turkey stock last in the fridge?

Cool the stock, then place it in the fridge, either in a large pot or in quart containers. When the stock is chilled, scrape most or all of the fat from the top. Use as desired in various recipes. Turkey stock can be refrigerated for up to 4 days, or frozen for up to 4 months.

How far in advance can you buy a fresh turkey?

Select fresh: The “fresh” label means the turkey has never been chilled below 26 F. Fresh turkeys should not be purchased until one or two days before you cook it, unless the manufacturer’s tag has a “Best by” or “Use by” date that indicates the turkey will be okay on the date you plan to cook it.

What is a fresh turkey sell-by date?

The fresh turkey sell-by date is the last day that the turkey can be sold in stores. It is not a safety date, and it does not mean that the turkey is no longer good to eat after that date. However, the quality of the turkey will start to decline after the sell-by date, so it is best to cook it within a few days of purchase.

When should a fresh turkey be sold by date?

A fresh turkey should have a sell by date on it. Fresh turkeys tend to arrive at stores the weekend that is before the weekend that is before Thanksgiving – in other words just under 2 weeks from Thanksgiving Day. I have always found that those turkeys had a sell by date that was at least a couple days past Thanksgiving.

How long after sell-by date should a Turkey be cooked?

However, the quality of the turkey will start to decline after the sell-by date, so it is best to cook it within a few days of purchase. The sell-by date is determined by the USDA, and it is based on the following factors: The USDA recommends that fresh turkeys be cooked within 1-2 days of purchase.

How long does a Turkey last after a sell by date?

When properly stored, the shelf life of turkey past its sell by date is approximately Of course, all foods last for a shorter period of time if they are not stored properly. But remember, turkey, like a lot of other proteins, usually has a sell by date and not a use by date or expiration date.