It doesnt matter how many unique side dishes you make, a festive holiday spread just isnt complete without the star of the show: the turkey. Whether you want to barbecue or fry the bird or go the traditional route with roasting, the recipe options are endless. The only caveat with cooking the holiday staple is that the process takes a lot of time and planning. How long does it take to defrost turkey? How do you thaw it? And how long can a thawed turkey stay in the fridge? Then the cooking questions start — how to prep turkey for roasting, how to get crispy turkey skin, etc.
Of these questions, some of the most essential are how to thaw turkey and how long thawed turkey can stay in the fridge. You need to build your cooking schedule around making sure your bird is defrosted early enough for it to get into the oven on time — but not so early that it sits in the fridge for longer than is safe. Also important is knowing how long cooked turkey can stay in the fridge, so you can plan your post-Thanksgiving leftover bonanza.
As Thanksgiving and Christmas approach, many people buy frozen turkeys ahead of time to prepare for their holiday meals But how long can you keep a frozen turkey in the refrigerator before cooking it? Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you understand the fridge life of frozen turkeys and determine the optimal time to move your bird from the freezer to the fridge before cooking
Overview of Frozen Turkey Fridge Life
Frozen whole turkeys can last in the freezer indefinitely, but they will start to lose quality after about a year. For best flavor and texture, you should cook frozen turkeys within 12 months Once you transfer the frozen turkey from the freezer to the refrigerator to thaw it, you have a more limited timeframe before the turkey must be cooked
Here are the general fridge life guidelines for thawing frozen turkeys:
- Whole Turkey – 1 to 2 days
- Turkey Breast – 1 to 2 days
- Turkey Pieces or Cutlets – 1 to 2 days
The fridge life depends on a few factors, especially the thawing process. But generally speaking, you don’t want thawed raw turkey to sit in the fridge for more than 48 hours before cooking it.
Thawing Timeline for Frozen Turkey
To make sure your thawed turkey doesn’t exceed the safe fridge life, you need to plan the thawing timeline carefully. Here are some tips:
- Allow 24 hours of fridge thawing time per 4-5 lbs of turkey. A 12 lb turkey will need 3 days to thaw.
- Once thawed, cook within 1-2 days for optimal safety and quality.
- Monitor the thaw progress daily by pressing on the breast. When the meat is soft, it’s thawed.
- Cook from frozen if you run out of thawing time. The cooking time may be 50% longer.
The following thawing timeline table provides estimates for whole turkeys:
| Turkey Weight | Days to Thaw | Max Days in Fridge After Thaw |
|---|---|---|
| 4 – 12 lbs | 1 – 3 days | 1 – 2 days |
| 12 – 16 lbs | 3 – 4 days | 1 – 2 days |
| 16 – 20 lbs | 4 – 5 days | 1 – 2 days |
| 20 – 24 lbs | 5 – 6 days | 1 – 2 days |
As you can see, even large frozen turkeys should not sit in the fridge for more than 2 days after thawing before they are cooked.
Thawing Methods
Proper thawing is key to maximizing fridge life safely. Here are guidelines for recommended thawing methods:
- Refrigerator: Safest method. Thaw breast side up on a plate to catch juices. Leave turkey wrapped and place on a lower shelf.
- Cold Water: Submerge sealed turkey in cold water, changing water every 30 mins. Cook immediately after thawing.
- Microwave: Follow defrost setting instructions, 6 mins per lb. Cook immediately after thawing.
Avoid thawing at room temperature or in hot water, which allows bacteria to grow rapidly.
Food Safety Tips
To safely maximize frozen turkey fridge life, be sure to:
- Store turkey on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator, away from ready-to-eat foods.
- Use an appliance thermometer to ensure your fridge maintains a temperature of 40°F or below.
- Check the turkey daily during thawing. Cook immediately if you detect spoilage.
- Cook thawed turkey within 1-2 days, until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Refrigerate or freeze leftovers within 2 hours and use within 3-4 days.
Following proper refrigerator storage, thawing, and cooking guidelines will ensure your frozen turkey stays safe to enjoy through the holidays.
Signs of Spoiled Turkey
Although thawed turkey can be kept refrigerated for up to 2 days before cooking, it’s important to watch for signs of spoilage:
- Unpleasant odor
- Grayish or greenish discoloration
- Slimy texture
- Mold growth
If you notice these warning signs, it’s best to discard the turkey. Don’t risk eating spoiled turkey, which can cause foodborne illness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about maximizing frozen turkey fridge life:
How long can a frozen turkey stay in the fridge before cooking?
A whole frozen turkey can last in the refrigerator for 1-2 days after it has thawed completely before it should be cooked.
Can you thaw a turkey in the fridge for a week?
Yes, a large 20+ pound turkey may require 5-6 days to thaw in the refrigerator. However, once it’s fully thawed, it should be cooked within 1-2 days.
Is it safe to cook a turkey that has been thawed for a week?
No, you should discard a raw turkey that has been refrigerated for over 2 days after thawing, as it is unsafe to eat.
Can you refreeze a thawed turkey?
Yes, as long as the turkey was thawed safely in the refrigerator and hasn’t been left in the fridge for over 2 days. When refreezing, use it within 2-6 months.
What happens if you leave a thawed turkey in the fridge too long?
If left for over 2 days, the turkey can become unsafe to eat due to rapid growth of bacteria. Discard any thawed turkey kept in the fridge for more than 48 hours before cooking.
The Takeaway
It’s perfectly safe to store a fully frozen turkey in the refrigerator for 1-2 days before cooking it. Be sure to allot enough thawing time and avoid keeping raw thawed turkey in the fridge for longer than 48 hours to prevent bacterial growth. With proper planning, you can enjoy a delicious holiday turkey that’s been safely thawed and stored.
How Long Can a Frozen or Thawed Turkey Stay In the Fridge?
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends defrosting turkey in the refrigerator at 40°F or below for several days before you plan on cooking it. Thawing a turkey takes about one day per four pounds of turkey, Amidor says, which means a smaller 12-pound turkey will take three days, whereas the largest turkey of 20-24 pounds can take up to six days to defrost. (Butterball has a handy calculator that can tell you exactly how long youll need to thaw your bird. And if you dont have that much time, heres how to defrost turkey more quickly.)
Once its thawed, the turkey can stay in the refrigerator for an additional two days before it needs to be cooked, Amidor says.
So, for example, if youre cooking a 20-24-pound bird, you need to stick it in the fridge to thaw at least six days before youll be eating it (so it has time to fully thaw), and no more than eight days before youll be eating it (to stay within that two-day window). For a 12-pound turkey, youll want to put it in the fridge for a minimum of three days and a maximum of five.
When youre ready to thaw, keep the turkey in its plastic wrap and place it on a rimmed sheet tray or roasting pan to keep any juices from making a mess in your fridge. Put it in the coldest part of your fridge to defrost, or better yet, store it in a spare fridge that isnt opened often. And “if you thaw the turkey in the refrigerator and choose not to cook it, you can refreeze it without cooking, but there will be some loss of quality,” Amidor says.