Ground turkey is a versatile protein that is often used as a healthy alternative to ground beef in a variety of dishes from burgers to tacos to chili. However you use ground turkey, it is important to understand how to store it safely so you can have it available when you need it.
Ground turkey is a healthy, versatile protein that can be used in everything from weeknight dinners to meal prepped lunches However, like any perishable food, proper storage is key to keeping ground turkey fresh and safe to eat Follow this ultimate guide to learn how long ground turkey lasts in the fridge and how to maximize its shelf life.
Overview of Ground Turkey Refrigerator Time
Here is a quick overview of how long raw and cooked ground turkey lasts in the fridge
- Raw ground turkey: 1 to 2 days
- Cooked ground turkey: 3 to 4 days
The exact shelf life depends on a few factors like the freshness when purchased and how cold your fridge can keep foods. For optimal freshness and food safety, it’s best to use ground turkey within these timeframes.
Properly stored frozen ground turkey keeps significantly longer:
- Raw ground turkey: 3 to 4 months
- Cooked ground turkey: 2 to 3 months
Factors That Shorten Ground Turkey’s Fridge Life
Several factors can shorten the refrigerator shelf life of ground turkey:
- High fridge temperature: Ground turkey lasts longer when kept at 40°F or below. Check that your fridge is around this temperature.
- Opening the fridge frequently: This lets warm air enter and food temperatures fluctuate. Limit openings when possible.
- Improper packaging: Re-wrap ground turkey in airtight packaging or storage containers. Exposure to air speeds spoilage.
- Past sell-by date: Only buy ground turkey before its sell-by date and use within the recommended timeframe after purchase.
- Cross-contamination: Prevent raw meat juices from touching other foods to avoid premature spoilage.
How to Tell When Ground Turkey Goes Bad
Rely on your senses to determine if ground turkey has gone bad. Signs of spoilage include:
- Change in color: Raw ground turkey is pink, cooked is brown. Gray, green, or yellow hues indicate spoilage.
- Slimy texture: Fresh ground turkey should be moist but not overly sticky or slimy.
- Off odors: Raw ground turkey has a mild odor. Rancid, sour, or ammonia-like smells mean it has spoiled.
- Mold growth: Mold on ground turkey is a clear sign it has gone bad. Discard moldy ground turkey.
When in doubt, remember the old adage: When in doubt, throw it out! Don’t risk getting sick from iffy ground turkey.
Storing Ground Turkey in the Fridge for Maximum Freshness
Follow proper storage methods to get the most fridge life out of ground turkey:
- Store in airtight packaging: Place ground turkey in a sealed container or re-wrap in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to block oxygen exposure.
- Place on a low shelf: The bottom shelf of the fridge is coldest, so store ground turkey there.
- Keep at 40°F or below: Verify your fridge temperature to ensure an optimal environment.
- Use within recommended time: Raw ground turkey keeps 1 to 2 days, cooked 3 to 4 days.
- Separate from other foods: Store raw ground turkey away from ready-to-eat foods to prevent cross-contamination.
Freezing Ground Turkey for Long-Term Storage
Freezing ground turkey locks in freshness for 3 to 4 months (raw) or 2 to 3 months (cooked). Here are some freezing tips:
- Use freezer-safe packaging: Choose bags, containers, or wraps specially made for the freezer.
- Portion into meal-sized amounts: Freeze in sizes you’ll use since you can’t re-freeze thawed ground turkey.
- Exclude extra air: Press out excess air before sealing packages to prevent freezer burn.
- Label packages: Note contents and freeze-by date so you know what’s inside and when it expires.
- Thaw safely: Thaw frozen ground turkey in the fridge, cold water, or microwave before cooking.
Cooking and Handling Ground Turkey Safely
Improper handling and undercooking ground turkey increases your risk of food poisoning. Follow these tips:
- Wash hands and surfaces: Prevent cross-contamination with thorough hand washing and sanitizing of cooking tools and surfaces.
- Don’t rinse raw turkey: Doing so can spread bacteria onto kitchen surfaces. It’s not necessary.
- Cook to 165°F: Use a food thermometer to verify ground turkey reaches a safe minimum internal temperature of 165°F.
- Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours: Letting cooked ground turkey sit at room temperature too long enables bacterial growth.
- When in doubt, toss it out: Don’t taste test ground turkey that looks or smells questionable. Play it safe and discard it.
Storing and Cooking Defrosted Ground Turkey
Once thawed, ground turkey can’t be refrozen safely without cooking it first. Here’s how to handle thawed ground turkey:
- Use within 1 to 2 days: Refrigerate thawed raw ground turkey and use within this timeframe for safety and quality.
- Cook before re-freezing: If you don’t plan to use thawed ground turkey right away, cook it completely then freeze for later use.
- Verify internal temperature: Check that cooked thawed ground turkey reaches 165°F. Reheating cooked turkey to this temperature kills lurking bacteria.
- Avoid slow thawing: Don’t thaw ground turkey on the counter or in standing water. These methods enable bacterial growth.
- Cook frozen ground turkey thoroughly: You can cook frozen ground turkey straight from the freezer. Just be sure to cook it fully to 165°F internal temperature.
Summary of Ground Turkey Refrigerator Time
To recap, raw ground turkey keeps 1 to 2 days in the fridge, while cooked ground turkey lasts 3 to 4 days refrigerated. For long-term storage, freeze raw ground turkey for 3 to 4 months and cooked for 2 to 3 months.
Monitor ground turkey for signs of spoilage, cook thoroughly, store properly, and follow food safety best practices. This helps ensure you can enjoy the many benefits of ground turkey while avoiding the risks of foodborne illness.
How Long Does Ground Turkey Last in the Freezer?
While cooked turkey can safely be stored in the freezer indefinitely, it is recommended that you leave it in the freezer no longer than 3 or 4 months as it will begin to lose moisture and flavor after that time.
Raw turkey will also safely keep in the freezer indefinitely. However, I would use within a year to avoid freezer burn.
How to Thaw Frozen Ground Turkey?
The three recommended ways for thawing raw turkey are in the refrigerator, submerging in cold water, and in the microwave.
If you have the time, thawing in fridge is my favorite way to thaw raw turkey. I like this method because you don’t lose any quality and all you have to do is place in the fridge and leave it until thawed. Once thawed, it is good in the fridge for 1-2 days.
I usually leave the turkey in the fridge overnight and it is ready to use the next day. However, if you have more than a couple pounds of turkey that you are trying to thaw, I would go by the below USDA guidelines:
- 4 to 12 pounds — 1 to 3 days
- 12 to 16 pounds — 3 to 4 days
- 16 to 20 pounds — 4 to 5 days
- 20 to 24 pounds —5 to 6 days
If you are shorter on time, submerging the turkey in cold water will also get the job done without hurting the quality of your turkey. However, you need to make sure the turkey is tightly wrapped while in the water. While quicker than putting in fridge, it does require a little more work as you need to replace the water every 30 minutes or so until thawed. It also needs to be cooked immediately after thawing. Typically, it takes 30 minutes or so for each pound of turkey. The USDA chart below shows the guidelines for thawing raw turkey in submerged water:
- 4 to 12 pounds — 2 to 6 hours
- 12 to 16 pounds — 6 to 8 hours
- 16 to 20 pounds — 8 to 10 hours
- 20 to 24 pounds — 10 to 12 hours
Microwaving is my least favorite method to thaw turkey because it can make the texture rubbery if not done properly. However, it is the quickest method. Microwaves have a defrost function where you enter the weight and it will automatically set the time required to defrost, asking you to flip halfway through the process. Once defrosted, cook immediately to avoid any bacteria growth.
How long is raw ground turkey good for in the fridge?
FAQ
Is ground turkey good after 4 days in fridge?
Can I eat ground turkey after 7 days?
Can I leave raw turkey in fridge for 3 days?
Does ground turkey go bad?
How long does ground turkey last in the fridge?
Ground turkey is a versatile and affordable protein that can be used in a variety of dishes. However, it is important to know how long it can last in the fridge in order to prevent foodborne illness. Ground turkey that has been properly stored in the refrigerator will last for 1-2 days. After that, it is best to freeze it for later use.
How do you store ground turkey in the fridge?
Here are some tips for storing ground turkey in the fridge: * Store ground turkey in an airtight container. This will help to prevent the growth of bacteria. * Place the container in the coldest part of the fridge. This will help to slow down the growth of bacteria.
Can you freeze cooked ground turkey?
To extend the shelf life of uncooked ground turkey, you can freeze it. Frozen ground turkey will last for up to 3-4 months. When you are ready to use the frozen ground turkey, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight or in the microwave on the defrost setting. Cooked Ground Turkey Cooked Ground Turkey can last in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
How long should a ground turkey sit out before cooking?
When you are ready to cook the ground turkey, defrost it in the fridge overnight or using cold water. Whether it is frozen, cooked, or raw turkey, it should not sit out at room temperature for more than two hours. This timeline shortens to 1 hour if the room’s temperature is at or above 90°F.