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 holidays often leave us with bountiful leftovers to enjoy for days after. But when it comes to perishables like cooked turkey, proper refrigeration is key. Follow these tips to keep your treasured turkey leftovers safe, delicious and waste-free.
How Long Does Cooked Turkey Last in the Fridge?
According to the USDA, cooked turkey will last 3 to 4 days when properly stored in the refrigerator. The optimal temperature to store leftovers is 40°F or below. At this cool temperature, bacterial growth is slowed but not completely stopped.
Factors that Shorten Fridge Life
There are a few factors that can shorten the safe fridge life of cooked turkey
- Higher refrigerator temperature – food kept above 40°F will spoil faster
- Frequent openings of the fridge door – maintains warmer temps
- Storing in large quantities – takes longer to chill leftovers thoroughly
- Improper carving of meat off the bone – can introduce new bacteria
To maximize fridge life, carve turkey off the bone as soon as it has cooled and store leftovers in shallow containers to chill quickly.
Spotting Spoiled Turkey
Trust your senses to detect spoiled turkey leftovers. Signs of spoilage include:
- Slimy texture and foul odor
- Discoloration or graying of meat
- Drying out of meat, which indicates freezer burn
When in doubt, remember the old adage: “When in doubt, throw it out.” Don’t risk food poisoning.
Best Practices for Refrigerating Leftover Turkey
Follow these tips for keeping leftover turkey fresher longer in the fridge:
- Let turkey cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then carve meat off the bone.
- Divide into shallow storage containers so it chills faster.
- Use air-tight containers and plastic wrap to prevent drying out.
- Store turkey within inner shelves of fridge, not the door.
- Label containers with date turkey was cooked and use within 3-4 days.
- Place turkey leftovers on a tray or plate to catch any juices.
- Avoid overpacking fridge, as this reduces efficiency.
Creative Ways to Use Up Leftover Turkey
Turkey has a short fridge life, so get creative about using it up within 3-4 days. Some delicious options:
- Turkey sandwiches with cranberry sauce and stuffing
- Turkey casserole or pot pie
- Turkey tettrazini pasta bake
- Turkey soup with veggies
- Turkey salad wraps or pitas
- Turkey fried rice or stir fry
- Leftover turkey dip with crackers
- Tacos with turkey, salsa and cheese
Get the whole family involved in brainstorming fun turkey leftover recipes! It makes for great bonding.
Can You Freeze Turkey Leftovers?
Freezing is a great long-term option for preserving cooked turkey safely. According to the USDA, frozen turkey will maintain quality for 2-6 months.
To freeze properly:
- Let turkey cool fully, then divide meat into meal-size portions.
- Use air-tight freezer bags or containers.
- Remove as much air as possible and seal tightly.
- Label with contents and freeze date.
- Freeze immediately at 0°F or below.
Frozen turkey leftovers are safe indefinitely, but will suffer some loss of moisture and texture over time.
Thawing Frozen Turkey Safely
Always thaw frozen turkey in the refrigerator, not at room temperature where bacteria can multiply quickly. Here are some thawed turkey guidelines:
- Thaw in fridge for 24 hours per 5 pounds.
- Place on a plate or pan to catch excess liquid as it thaws.
- Cook thawed turkey within 1-2 days.
- Do not refreeze thawed turkey leftovers.
For quick thawing, place sealed frozen turkey in cold water, changing water every 30 minutes until turkey can be bent or easily cut. Then cook immediately.
Enjoying Those Leftovers Safely
The holidays generate mounds of delicious leftovers like turkey. Avoid waste while keeping your family safe by:
- Refrigerating promptly in shallow containers
- Using fridge leftovers within 3-4 days
- Freezing extras for 2-6 months
- Thawing frozen turkey slowly in the fridge
- Tracking storage dates and discarding aging leftovers
Follow these turkey storage rules and you’ll continue enjoying yummy leftovers without worry. Just be sure to leave room for all the yummy new dishes you’ll cook next holiday season!
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 leftover turkey after 5 days?
Is it OK to eat turkey that’s been in the fridge for 2 weeks?
When should you throw out leftover turkey?
Can a turkey sit in the fridge for 5 days?
How long does a cooked turkey last in the fridge?
When stored in the refrigerator, turkey does not last as long. Snyder points to the USDA FoodKeeper app for best guidance: The tool notes that refrigerated, cooked turkey should be eaten within 4 days. Eat frozen turkey leftovers within 6 months for premier quality.
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 does leftover Turkey last in the freezer?
The general consensus is that most food can safely be kept in the freezer indefinitely, but the USDA recommends consuming most frozen foods within two to six months for the best quality, depending on what you’re freezing.
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.