How Long Can Cooked Turkey Be Left Out Safely?

I took a turkey breast out of the oven at nine last night and was going to put it away but my daughter said she wanted to make a sandwich and would put it away(I should have known better!) I woke up at 2 0r 3 and it was still out…..

As Thanksgiving approaches many home cooks are prepping for the big feast. And one of the most frequently asked questions is How long can I safely leave the cooked turkey out before refrigerating it? It’s an important food safety issue so let’s take a thorough look at how to handle cooked turkey properly.

The 2 Hour Rule

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), cooked turkey should never be left out of refrigeration for more than 2 hours. This is the critical 2 hour window where bacteria can rapidly multiply on foods that are between 40-140°F.

Within this “danger zone” temperature range, foodborne pathogens like salmonella and E. coli can quickly grow to dangerous levels. So the USDA recommends refrigerating all cooked turkey within 2 hours of coming out of the oven.

What Happens After 2 Hours?

If cooked turkey sits out for more than 2 hours, harmful bacteria start multiplying much faster. Leaving turkey out for longer periods drastically increases the risk of food poisoning.

Bacteria levels may be safe to consume after 2 hours. But any longer, and the turkey becomes unsafe to eat as bacteria counts rise exponentially. Always err on the side of caution when handling cooked turkey

Reasons to Refrigerate Quickly

There are several good reasons why you should refrigerate leftover turkey right away:

Prevents bacteria growth – Cold temps inhibit multiplying bacteria
Maintains moisture – Keeps turkey from drying out
Maximizes freshness – Slows down spoilage
Allows longer storage – Lets you safely keep turkey 3-4 days

Refrigerating turkey quickly is the number one way to keep it safe, tasty, and readily available for leftovers.

Storing Turkey Safely

Follow these tips for safely storing leftover turkey

Allow turkey to cool slightly, about 20 minutes, before refrigerating.
Cut turkey in smaller portions to chill faster.
Place pieces in shallow containers for quick cooling.
Cover loosely at first to allow heat to escape.
Wrap tightly once turkey is completely cooled.
Use refrigerator temperatures of 40°F or below.
Use leftover turkey within 3-4 days.
Freeze turkey for longer storage.

What if Turkey Exceeds 2 Hours?

If your cooked turkey does end up sitting out for longer than the recommended 2 hours, it’s best to be cautious.

The USDA states you should discard any perishable foods left in the danger zone for over 2 hours. So if you’re unsure of the time, it’s safest to throw it away.

If you absolutely must keep it, make sure to thoroughly reheat the turkey to 165°F before eating to destroy any bacteria that may have grown. But reheating doesn’t necessarily make it safe, so consume at your own risk.

Serving Turkey Safely

When serving cooked turkey, follow these guidelines:

Slice turkey just before serving, not ahead of time.
Never leave turkey platter at room temp for over 2 hours.
Discard any turkey that sits out during the meal for over 2 hours.
Place leftover turkey back in the refrigerator within 2 hours.
Reheat leftovers to 165°F before serving again.

Handling Other Foods Properly

The 2 hour rule doesn’t only apply to turkey – all cooked foods should be handled properly:

Stuffing should be kept hot, over 140°F, or cooled quickly for storage.
Gravy should be refrigerated within 2 hours in a shallow container.
Mashed potatoes need to be stored in the refrigerator.
Cooked vegetables shouldn’t be left out for over 2 hours.

Proper food safety involves keeping all holiday foods out of the danger zone.

Signs of Spoiled Turkey

Watch for these signs that cooked turkey has spoiled:

Slimy, sticky texture
Discoloration or green tint
Unpleasant, sour odor
Mold growth

If you observe any of these, throw away the turkey immediately. Don’t taste questionable turkey.

Freezer Storage

For longer term storage, freeze leftover turkey:

Cut turkey into smaller pieces for freezing.
Place pieces in airtight containers or freezer bags.
Remove as much air as possible.
Label package with date and contents.
Turkey leftovers can be frozen for 2-6 months at 0°F.
Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.

The freezer lets you enjoy your turkey even longer after the holidays.

Takeaway Tips

To recap, follow these important guidelines when handling cooked turkey:

Refrigerate within 2 hours, or 1 hour if above 90°F.
Slice turkey just before serving, not ahead.
Never leave turkey out over 2 hours during meal.
Store leftovers in shallow containers in the fridge.
Reheat to 165°F before serving again.
Discard any turkey left out over 2 hours.
Freeze extras for longer storage.

Proper food safety is key when dealing with perishable cooked turkey. So make sure to refrigerate or freeze all those delicious leftovers within 2 hours after the turkey comes out of the oven. Then you can safely enjoy Thanksgiving turkey for days to come without worries.

how long can cooked turkey be left out

Can a cooked turkey be left out overnight?

FAQ

Can you eat cooked turkey left out overnight?

The exact time period cooked turkey can sit out depends on a few different factors. As a rule of thumb, if your meat has been out in the temperature danger zone for more than two hours, even after being refrigerated, throw it out. If the turkey was just cooked and is cooling down, try to put it away within two hours.

How long can you leave a turkey out after it has been cooked?

The USDA puts this very plainly: A cooked turkey left at room temperature for more than two hours is not safe to eat and should be thrown away. (Live in a hotter part of America, and your kitchen is in the toasty 90-degree zone? That sounds lovely, but it means you only have an hour to keep your bird sitting out.)

How long can cooked ground turkey sit out at room temperature?

Havern explains: “The maximum amount of time perishable foods can [spend] in the danger zone is two hours. At two hours, the food must be consumed, stored correctly, or thrown away. This includes all cooked leftovers, [chopped] fruits and vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy products.”

How long can sliced turkey sit out overnight?

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends the “2-Hour Rule” for any perishables left out at room temperature. If the food is left out in temperatures of 90°F or higher, then only one hour. After this time, the food becomes unsafe to eat, and you risk food poisoning.

Can You Refrigerate a cooked turkey?

Once your turkey is cooked and cooled to room temp, you want to refrigerate the bird at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or eat well within two hours of removing the bird from the oven. For hot, juicy meat, you want your turkey to be ready 15 to 20 minutes before you begin your feast.

How long can you leave cooked turkey out at room temperature?

Answer: You can safely leave cooked turkey out at room temperature for two hours — or one hour if the temperature is above 90 degrees Fahrenheit — says the United States Department of Agriculture. Cooked turkey that has been left out for longer than 2 hours (or 1 hour above 90° F) should be discarded.

What happens if you leave cooked turkey out for a few hours?

Leaving cooked turkey out for a few hours can be cause for concern. Bacteria thrive at temperatures between 41 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit, which is exactly where room temperature falls. Bacteria can be introduced onto your turkey if it is not cooked properly, by other raw foods through cross-contamination, or by humans.

Can you eat cooked turkey if left out at room temperature?

Cooked turkey is safe to eat if left out at room temperature for two hours or less. The USDA identifies anything beyond these two hours as the “Danger Zone” for perishable foods – the zone in which harmful bacteria begin to grow and food becomes unsafe to eat.