If you’re looking to extend the life of some turkey you’ve stocked up on, you might be wondering: how long does turkey last in the fridge, and how long does turkey last in the freezer? Read on to learn the basics of storing turkey for later use.
Preparing a raw turkey and letting it marinate in the refrigerator is a common practice for many cooks But just how long can you safely store raw turkey in the fridge before cooking it? Knowning the fridge life of uncooked turkey helps ensure food safety and quality
Follow proper storage and handling and an uncooked whole turkey can last 1-2 days in the refrigerator. For best results, cook within this timeframe. Much beyond 2 days increases the risk of spoilage bacteria growth.
Below we will look at guidelines for maximizing refrigerator storage time for fresh, raw turkey. We’ll also cover signs of spoiled turkey and key food safety tips when dealing with raw poultry.
How Long Raw Turkey Lasts Refrigerated
An uncooked fresh whole turkey can be kept refrigerated 1-2 days before cooking. Poultry has a shorter fridge life than many meats. Handled properly, 1-2 days preserves safety and quality.
Here are some storage tips for maximizing fridge life:
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Keep turkey in original store packaging or wrap loosely in plastic wrap. This prevents drying.
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Place on tray or plate to catch juices. Raw poultry leaks juices easily.
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Store on bottom shelf of refrigerator, farthest from door. This area stays coldest.
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Keep refrigerator temp at 40°F or below. Consistent cold temperature is key.
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Cook within 1-2 days for best flavor and texture. Discard if older.
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Do not wash raw turkey. Washing spreads bacteria. Cooking kills germs.
Refrigerating longer than 2 days increases risks of bacteria growth and spoilage. For whole birds, 1-2 days is the recommended max. Cook thawed turkey within this timeframe for optimal freshness and food safety.
Freezing Uncooked Turkey
For longer storage, fresh raw turkey can be safely frozen 2-6 months. Follow proper freezing guidelines:
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Freeze whole turkey in original wrapping. Double wrap in freezer bags if needed.
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For partial birds, wrap pieces tightly in plastic wrap or place in freezer bags. Remove air.
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Freeze immediately at 0°F or below. Consistent zero temps prevent spoilage.
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Label package with date and contents. Track freezer time.
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Once thawed, cook within 1-2 days. Do not refreeze thawed meat.
Freezing preserves turkey’s quality and locks in freshness much longer than refrigerating. Cook within 1-2 days after thawing for food safety.
Signs Turkey Has Spoiled
Rely on your senses when evaluating raw turkey. Discard if you notice:
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Slippery, tacky, or sticky texture
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Grayish, greenish, or brownish tint
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Slimy layer on surface
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Off odors like sourness or ammonia
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Mold growth – discard whole turkey if any mold appears
Do not taste or eat turkey with signs of spoilage. Always remember – when in doubt, throw it out. Don’t risk getting sick.
Key Food Safety Tips for Raw Turkey
Special care should be taken when handling raw poultry. Follow these food safety guidelines:
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Refrigerate immediately and cook within 1-2 days. Do not leave sitting out.
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Store raw turkey on bottom shelf, away from ready-to-eat foods.
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Avoid cross-contamination. Keep raw turkey separate from cooked foods.
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Never place cooked food on surface/plate that held raw turkey.
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Wash hands, cutting boards, dishes after handling raw turkey.
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Cook fully to an internal temperature of 165°F.
Following basic food safety practices when prepping raw turkey protects you and your family. Take steps to prevent bacterial cross-contamination from poultry.
The Bottom Line
When stored properly in the fridge, fresh raw turkey lasts 1-2 days before the risk of spoilage increases. Keep turkey refrigerated 40°F or below. For longer storage, freeze at 0°F. Thaw in fridge before cooking within 1-2 days.
Monitor uncooked turkey for sliminess, discoloration or off-odors. Discard if any signs of spoilage. Adhering to food safety guidelines ensures your raw turkey stays fresh until you are ready to cook it. With proper handling, you can safely store fresh turkey in the refrigerator for 1-2 days.
How Long to Keep Uncooked Turkey Refrigerated
Preparing your Thanksgiving or holiday turkey ahead of time is a great way to make the cooking process easier. However, raw poultry needs to be handled carefully to prevent bacteria growth. How long can you store an uncooked whole turkey in the fridge?
An uncooked turkey can be kept refrigerated safely for 1-2 days. Storing the bird properly and cooking within this timeframe ensures the best safety, quality and taste.
Here are some guidelines for maximizing how long an uncooked turkey lasts in the fridge:
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Keep turkey in original store wrap. This prevents drying out.
-
Place on tray or plate to catch leaking juices. Raw poultry leaks easily.
-
Store on bottom fridge shelf. This area stays coldest.
-
Maintain refrigerator temp at 40°F or below. Consistent cold prevents bacteria.
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Cook within 1-2 days for optimal freshness and texture.
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Do not wash raw turkey. Washing spreads germs. Cooking kills bacteria.
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If thawing frozen turkey, cook within 1-2 days once thawed.
Refrigerating uncooked turkey longer than 2 days raises the risks of spoilage and foodborne illness. For whole birds, 1-2 days is the food safety guideline.
Freezing Uncooked Turkey
For storage beyond 1-2 days, an uncooked turkey can be safely frozen 2-6 months. Follow proper freezing methods:
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Freeze in original wrap. Double wrap in freezer bags if needed.
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For partial birds, wrap pieces in plastic wrap or bags. Remove air.
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Freeze at 0°F immediately. Consistent zero temps prevent spoilage.
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Label package with contents and freeze date. Track time in freezer.
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Once thawed, cook within 1-2 days. Do not refreeze previously frozen meat.
Freezing preserves the quality and locks in freshness much longer than refrigerating. Thaw in the refrigerator before cooking within 1-2 days.
What are the Signs of Spoiled Turkey?
Rely on your senses to check for spoiled, raw turkey. Discard if you notice:
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Slippery, tacky or sticky texture
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Gray, green or brown discoloration
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Slimy surface layer
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Off odors like sourness or ammonia
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Mold growth – discard whole turkey if any mold appears
Do not taste or eat turkey if you suspect it is bad. Don’t take risks with possible spoiled poultry. Remember – when in doubt, throw it out!
Food Safety Tips for Raw Turkey
Special care should be taken when handling raw poultry. Follow these guidelines:
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Refrigerate turkey immediately. Cook within 1-2 days.
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Store raw turkey away from ready-to-eat foods.
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Avoid cross-contamination. Isolate raw turkey from cooked items.
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Never place cooked foods on surface/plate that held raw turkey.
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Clean hands, surfaces, tools after handling raw turkey.
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Cook fully to 165°F internal temperature as measured by a food thermometer. Do not eat undercooked turkey.
Following basic food safety rules when dealing with raw turkey is crucial. Take steps to prevent bacterial cross-contamination from poultry.
The Bottom Line
When stored properly in the refrigerator, fresh raw turkey lasts 1-2 days before spoilage risks increase. Keep the turkey refrigerated at 40°F or below. For longer storage, freeze at 0°F. Once thawed, cook within 1-2 days.
Check uncooked turkey for any slime, discoloration or off-odors. Discard if signs of spoilage. Following food safety guidelines keeps your raw turkey fresh until you cook it. With proper handling, you can safely refrigerate an uncooked whole turkey for 1-2 days.
Freezing Cooked Turkey and Raw Turkey
If you have enough turkey leftovers to last more than a few days, you might want to consider freezing cooked turkey instead of refrigerating it. The same is true if you’re stocked up on raw turkey that you don’t plan to cook right away. Luckily, the process for storing turkey in the freezer — whether it’s cooked or raw — is really simple.
Create an airtight seal around each individual piece of turkey using Glad® Press’n Seal®, then put them into an airtight bag, such as Glad® FLEXN SEAL™ Freezer Quart Bags, making sure to squeeze out any extra air before sealing. If you’re freezing a whole turkey, just wrap your bird in several layers of Glad® Clingn Seal™ or Glad® Press’n Seal®. In both cases, you’ll want to store the turkey in the deepest part of the freezer. When properly stored, raw turkey pieces should stay good in the freezer for up to 9 months, while whole raw turkeys last for a year when frozen. Cooked turkey pieces last in the freezer for 4–6 months.
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Per the USDA’s guidelines, you should never thaw frozen turkey on the counter or in hot water, nor should you leave it at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
The best way to thaw turkey (whole or in pieces) is to move the frozen package from the freezer onto a plate and into the fridge, and then let it thaw gradually. Depending on the size of what you’re thawing, this method can take a full day. If raw frozen turkey is thawed in the refrigerator, the defrosted turkey can last in the fridge for 1–2 days before it needs to be cooked or refrozen.
If you’re in a hurry to thaw your turkey, there’s a faster method you can use. Ensure the turkey is in an airtight bag — like Glad® FLEXN SEAL™ Food Storage Quart Bags — then submerge it in cold tap water, changing the water every 30 minutes so it continues to thaw. You can also thaw frozen turkey pieces in the microwave, but if you want to use that method, you should plan to cook it immediately after thawing to prevent bacteria from growing.
You can learn more about how to store meat and how long meat can last in the fridge or freezer with our meat storing tips.
For safe meat preparation, reference the USDA website.
Storing Turkey in the Fridge
Unsure of the best process for storing turkey in the fridge? Don’t worry — it’s pretty simple! Raw pieces of turkey can be wrapped in Glad® Press’n Seal®, then stored in an airtight bag like Glad® FLEXN SEAL™ Food Storage Quart Bags. Sliced cold cuts can be stored in a food storage bag, with any extra air squeezed out before it’s sealed. Be sure to wash your hands before and after handling turkey, especially if it’s raw.
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.
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How long can you keep a thawed turkey in the refrigerator before cooking?
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