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.
For many home cooks, roasting a turkey is a once-a-year task reserved for the holidays. Knowing how far in advance you can thaw the bird and how long it lasts in the fridge before cooking can make the experience less stressful. Follow these tips on fridge times for raw turkey and you’ll gain confidence handling this centerpiece meat.
In this guide you’ll learn
- Recommended fridge times for raw turkey
- How to correctly thaw turkey in the refrigerator
- What the signs of spoiled raw turkey are
- Tips to prep and cook turkey directly from fridge
- How to maximize turkey fridge life for more flexibility
- Answers to frequently asked questions on raw turkey storage
With the right techniques, you can keep raw turkey in the refrigerator for several days before cooking. Let’s get into the details!
How Far In Advance Can I Thaw Turkey In The Fridge?
The first step to maximizing fridge time for raw turkey is proper thawing. Thawing needs to be done gradually and gently to prevent bacterial growth Here are some fridge thawing guidelines
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Allow 24 hours of fridge thawing time per 4-5 lbs. of turkey.
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Place the frozen bird on a tray to catch drips as it defrosts.
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Keep turkey tightly wrapped until fully thawed and ready to prep.
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Avoid thawing at room temperature or in hot water to prevent bacterial growth.
Refrigerator thawing requires patience but is the safest method for raw poultry. Once thawed, your turkey is ready for brining, seasoning, and more fridge time.
How Long Can Raw Turkey Last In The Fridge After Thawing?
Once completely thawed and prepped, your raw turkey can keep for another 1-2 days in the fridge. To maximize this fridge life:
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Keep turkey tightly wrapped in its original packaging or plastic wrap.
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Place the turkey on a plate or tray to contain leaks and keep fridge clean.
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Store turkey on a lower fridge shelf away from fresh produce.
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Avoid letting turkey juices drip onto other foods to prevent cross-contamination.
1-2 days is typically the limit for safe raw turkey storage after thawing and before cooking. Now let’s discuss how to identify when turkey is past its prime.
Signs Your Raw Turkey Has Spoiled
Always inspect the turkey closely before cooking or after 1-2 days in the fridge. Look for these signs of spoilage:
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Slimy skin with tacky, dull, or sticky texture
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Strong, unpleasant odors
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Discoloration and unnatural hues on the flesh
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Greyish slimy fluid in the package
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Signs of mold growth anywhere on the bird
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Skin or flesh feels very soft and mushy
If you observe any of these traits or anything that seems “off”, play it safe and discard the turkey. With poultry, it’s better to be safe than sorry to avoid foodborne illness.
Safely Cooking Turkey Directly From The Refrigerator
If you’re ready to cook within the safe 1-2 day window, you can go straight from fridge to oven. Here are some tips:
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Let the turkey sit at room temperature 20-30 minutes before roasting for more even cooking.
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Pat the turkey dry thoroughly before seasoning and cooking.
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Use a meat thermometer and cook until it reaches 165°F minimum internal temperature.
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Allow the cooked turkey to rest 20 minutes before carving for juiciness.
With proper handling, turkey can be cooked directly from the refrigerator with delicious and safe results. But what if your plans change?
Storing Turkey Longer By Partial Freezing
If you need to buy turkey further ahead or delay cooking, partial freezing is an option. Here’s how to maximize storage time with partial freezing:
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Leave turkey in its original commercial packaging if planning to freeze.
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Freeze immediately rather than storing in refrigerator first.
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Submerge just the breast side in cold water for 30 minutes before freezing. The partial freeze helps the bird keep longer.
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Limit freezer time to 2-3 months for best quality and food safety.
Partial freezing lets you buy turkey well ahead of cooking day. Now let’s look at some common fridge turkey questions.
Frequently Asked Questions About Raw Turkey In The Fridge
Here are answers to some of the most common questions about maximizing refrigerator storage times for raw turkey:
Can I brine turkey, then store it back in the fridge before cooking?
Yes, brined turkey can be refrigerated up 1-2 days before roasting for added flavor. Discard brine and pat turkey dry first before refrigerating.
Is it safe to reuse a fully thawed turkey if my plans change?
Previously thawed turkey can be safely refrozen or cooked if still within the 1-2 day refrigerated shelf life after thawing.
How soon after sell-by date does turkey need to be cooked?
Cook turkey within 1-2 days after the sell-by or use-by date printed on the packaging. This date is not an exact expiration but a general freshness guideline.
Can I freeze a thawed but uncooked turkey again?
Only if the thawed turkey was kept no more than 1-2 days in the fridge after fully thawing, kept cold, and shows no signs of spoilage. Even then, freeze ASAP for optimal freshness.
What’s the maximum days a fresh turkey can last in the fridge?
At absolute maximum, fresh turkey has a 5-7 day shelf life in the fridge. For highest quality and safety, cook within 1-2 days of fully thawing.
Understanding proper refrigerator storage times, signs of spoilage, and freezing techniques allows you to buy and prepare your holiday turkey with confidence. Follow these turkey tips and you’ll have no problem roasting up an amazing bird straight from the fridge.
Enjoy Delicious Fresh Turkey Without the Hassle
While cooking your own whole turkey can be a fun holiday tradition, it comes with a lot of work from thawing, to prep, waiting for it to roast, and so much cleanup. An easier approach is to order from a company like Kol Foods that offers fresh, never-frozen kosher turkeys shipped overnight direct to your doorstep.
Their premium turkeys are minimally processed with no injections, antibiotics or added hormones for a pure, wholesome turkey flavor. You can select from a range of turkey sizes from 12 lbs. to over 30 lbs. to suit your gathering. Each turkey is humanely raised, expertly processed under strict kosher standards and flash frozen at the peak of freshness to ensure unbeatable quality.
The turkeys ship overnight on dry ice to arrive frozen but ready to thaw and cook whenever you’re ready. For optimal convenience, you can even order fully cooked turkey dinners complete with sides and gravy. Enjoy tender, juicy turkey without the fuss.
So for incredible tasting turkey that simplifies your holiday meals, explore the selections at Kol Foods. With just a simple online order, you can serve up a memorable turkey dinner the whole family will love without the hassle.
Key Takeaways on Maximizing Fridge Time for Raw Turkey
Here are some key tips to remember:
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Allow 24 hours thawing time per 4-5 lbs. of turkey in the refrigerator.
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Store thawed raw turkey no more than 1-2 days in the fridge before cooking for food safety.
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Inspect turkey closely for sliminess, odor, or other signs of spoilage before cooking.
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Freeze thawed turkey immediately if unable to cook within the 1-2 day refrigerator window.
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Partial freezing enables storing turkey longer term before final thawing.
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Order pre-thawed fresh turkey online for added convenience and quality.
With the right techniques, you can comfortably keep raw turkey in the fridge for several days before holiday meal preparation. Follow these guidelines and you can check turkey roasting off your list with full confidence!
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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