Is it really Thanksgiving if you don’t wind up with leftovers? For many of us, that too much is just enough, because the actual best parts of the holiday are the meals that follow the original turkey feast. I’ll be honest and admit that I look forward to my Thanksgiving leftovers sandwich more than the holiday meal itself. But perhaps you’ve faced the remnants of that gorgeous, golden turkey centerpiece and debated the best way to store it, keeping safety (and flavor!) in mind. How long can you actually keep turkey in the fridge? Should some of the meat be frozen right away?
While you’re clearing the table and beginning to wash dishes, thinking about what you’re going to do with all that leftover turkey, here’s what you need to know.
The star of the Thanksgiving table is undoubtedly the turkey. After spending hours preparing roasting and carving this impressive bird, leftovers are inevitable. But how long after Thanksgiving can you safely enjoy turkey leftovers?
According to the USDA, cooked turkey will last 3 to 4 days refrigerated. The USDA recommends storing turkey leftovers within 2 hours of cooking. Then, store turkey in airtight containers in the refrigerator at 40°F or below Refrigeration slows but does not completely halt bacterial growth. For longer term storage, turkey can be frozen for 3 to 4 months. Frozen leftovers are safe indefinitely, but can lose moisture and flavor when frozen for extended periods.
Follow these tips for safely storing and enjoying your prized turkey meat after the big feast:
Refrigerating Turkey Leftovers
- Store turkey in shallow airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking. This allows the turkey to cool quickly and evenly.
- Keep turkey stored at 40°F or below. Use a refrigerator thermometer to monitor.
- Use turkey within 3 to 4 days for highest quality. Discard any turkey that smells bad or appears slimy.
- Make sure to label containers with the date the turkey was cooked.
- Prioritize eating older leftovers first. Follow the “first in, first out” rule.
Freezing Turkey Leftovers
- Divide turkey into smaller portions in freezer bags or airtight containers. Remove as much air as possible.
- Allow room for expansion as turkey freezes. Do not overfill containers.
- Place turkey in the back of the freezer where temperature remains most constant. Avoid opening the freezer frequently.
- Frozen turkey maintains quality for 3 to 4 months. It remains safe indefinitely but quality declines over longer storage.
- Defrost turkey safely in the refrigerator, never on the counter or in hot water. Reheat fully to 165°F.
Signs Turkey Has Spoiled
Turkey that has spoiled will show obvious signs. Look for these indications your leftovers have gone bad:
- Slimy texture or slippery film on the turkey
- Grayish color or an unnatural hue
- Off putting sour or ammonia odor
- Mold growth – do not eat moldy turkey!
- Turkey feels tacky or gooey when touched
- Discolored turkey juices with an odd smell
- Turkey has dried out completely or changed texture
Serving Leftover Turkey
Beyond basics like sandwiches, there are many creative ways to use up turkey leftovers:
- Dice and add to salads, soups, casseroles or omelets
- Use in enchiladas, tacos, empanadas or other stuffed foods
- Top pizza or flatbreads with turkey, veggies and cheese
- Toss with pasta and turkey gravy for an easy skillet dish
- Make turkey hash by sautéing with potatoes and vegetables
- Shred turkey in the slow cooker with barbecue sauce for pulled turkey
- Bake a casserole with turkey, spinach, artichokes and cheese
- Blend turkey into dips, spreads, pot pies or turnovers
With proper refrigeration and freezing, turkey leftovers can be safely enjoyed for up to 4 months post-Thanksgiving. Be diligent about temperature control and storage methods. When in doubt, remember the motto “when in doubt, throw it out.” Avoid taking risks with questionable turkey. Follow these turkey storage guidelines and creatively transform leftovers into delicious new dishes to make the most of your holiday bird!
How long does turkey last in the fridge?
With your leftovers sitting in front of you, the first step in smart turkey storage is to think about what you’re going to do with them. Do you have a leftover turkey recipe that you’re already planning to try for Friday dinner? Or would you like to keep that delicious turkey in reserve for sometime down the road? Even though you may be exhausted from a day or two of cooking, entertaining and feasting, it’s still best to deal with your turkey in one way or another as soon as possible.
From a food safety perspective, it’s important to minimize the time your turkey spends in the “Danger Zone,” or between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit. The USDA notes that food has a limit of two hours at room temperature before bacteria growth becomes an issue.
Asking the experts how long cooked turkey keeps in the fridge yields a range of answers. LG’s resident culinary expert Brian Karam recommends capping it at one to two days, but also suggests that “time can be maximized by keeping larger pieces whole and not making them smaller before refrigerating, [as] smaller pieces are more susceptible to air exposure and could hasten spoilage in refrigerator.” Aly Forster of Diestel Family Ranch says “you will want to consume within three to four days.” The USDA’s guidelines state that “Thanksgiving leftovers are safe to eat up to four days in the refrigerator.” At the furthest end of the spectrum, Patrick L. Guzzle, vice president of food science at the National Restaurant Association says that “seven days is the maximum time recommended for cooked foods to be stored in the refrigerator.”
The wide variation in answers largely comes down to the difference between food safety and food quality. Guzzle points out that “Food safety is primarily concerned with harmful microbiological organisms, [and] may veer from what an average consumer might consider for quality (i.e., taste, texture, aroma, etc.)” Fortunately, Forster adds, “We like to say ‘poultry isn’t shy’—one whiff easily lets you know if that meat is still wholesome!” Ultimately, when using leftovers, Forster concludes, you’ll need to use your best judgment to determine how long you feel comfortable within this range. Be sure, she notes, to “inspect the turkey for any signs of spoilage.” Or as I like to say, “When in doubt, throw it out.”
If you’ve only got enough turkey left for a few sandwiches and a batch of turkey jook, keeping your leftover meat in the fridge will be enough. But if you have enough for a couple more full feasts, then you’ll want to think about freezing that turkey for the future.
We’ve still got half a bird!
You’re not alone. Whether you’re buying a frozen Butterball turkey, a heritage bird from your local butcher shop, or a smaller turkey breast, leftovers are almost a given. According to a 2011 USDA study, around 35% of turkey is wasted each year, so understanding how to best store your leftovers goes a long way to reducing the amount of turkey that ends up in landfills and compost heaps. That statistic feels even larger when you learn that the National Turkey Federation reports that 88% of Americans eat turkey on Thanksgiving, and Butterball’s senior brand manager Chad McFadden notes that 79% of consumers surveyed for a 2023 report planned to buy a whole bird. McFadden also says that the most popular Thanksgiving turkey option weighs between 16 and 20 pounds, and the average guest count for the holiday is nine people, with a suggested estimate of 1 to 1.5 pounds of turkey per person. After we do some quick turkey math, this suggests that, generally, households have somewhere between 2.5 and 11 pounds of turkey and turkey bones left after the Thursday Thanksgiving feast. That’s a lot of sandwiches.
How long is leftover turkey good for in the fridge?
FAQ
Can you eat turkey 5 days after Thanksgiving?
How long is leftover Thanksgiving turkey good in the fridge?
Is Thanksgiving turkey good after 4 days?
Can you reheat turkey after 4 days?
How long does leftover Thanksgiving turkey last?
Leftover Thanksgiving turkey that is fully cooked will last in the fridge for about 3 to 4 days. As for the freezer, the lifespan of your leftover turkey depends on the quality of said freezer. “If you have a really good freezer that maintains a temp of 0°F or below, it’s indefinite,” James says.
How long can a cooked Thanksgiving turkey stay in the fridge?
A leftover cooked Thanksgiving turkey will keep for three to four days in the fridge and two to three months in the freezer. Before freezing, it’s best to carve the turkey off the bone to allow it to freeze and defrost more evenly. (You can freeze the carcass separately if you want to make turkey stock .)
Can you eat frozen turkey leftovers after 6 months?
Eat frozen turkey leftovers within 6 months for premier quality. “Other slower changes to quality, like freezer burn, can eventually render leftovers unacceptable,” Snyder says, noting that this is not an issue of safety when it comes to frozen leftovers.
How long can you keep leftover turkey mashed potatoes?
Just like with your leftover mashed potatoes, your leftover turkey can last in the refrigerator for up to four days, according to FoodSafety.gov. You’ll want to carve the turkey off the bone and remove any stuffing from the cavity into a separate container. Use leftover turkey to make leftover turkey soup or freeze the rest for up to six months.