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.
For many of us turkey is synonymous with the holidays. After spending hours preparing and roasting that beautiful bird, we inevitably have leftovers. But how long is cooked turkey actually good for if you want to safely enjoy those leftovers? Here is a comprehensive guide to maximizing the shelf life of cooked turkey and knowing when it’s time to say goodbye.
USDA Recommendations for Storing Cooked Turkey
According to the USDA, cooked turkey that is properly stored in the refrigerator should last for 3-4 days after cooking. To maximize freshness and quality, it should be eaten within this time frame. If you don’t think you will consume the leftovers within 4 days, you can freeze them for longer term storage. Frozen turkey will maintain quality and safety for 3-4 months in a freezer set at 0°F or below.
Though technically safe indefinitely when frozen continuously at 0°F, the USDA recommends using frozen cooked turkey within 4 months to ensure ideal taste and texture Freezer burn and other quality issues can develop after longer frozen storage
Signs Your Cooked Turkey Has Spoiled
How can you tell if your cooked turkey leftovers have gone bad and should be discarded? Here are the signs of spoilage to watch out for:
- Unpleasant odors – Turkey that smells sour, funky, or rotten should not be consumed
- Mold growth – Discard turkey at first signs of mold
- Slimy texture – An abnormal slick or sticky texture indicates spoilage
- Dull or faded color – Grayish tinges point to spoilage
Trust your senses – if the cooked turkey seems at all off in terms of appearance, smell or texture, play it safe and throw it away.
Proper Storage for Optimal Freshness
Storing cooked turkey correctly is key to preserving freshness and preventing premature spoilage. Follow these tips:
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Allow cooked turkey to cool completely, then refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking. Divide into shallow containers to chill rapidly.
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Wrap tightly or store in airtight containers. You can also use freezer bags. Avoid overstuffing containers.
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Keep turkey in the coldest part of the refrigerator, at 40°F or below. Use leftover turkey within 3-4 days.
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When freezing, portion turkey intomeal-sized containers and wrap airtight. This prevents re-freezing thawed portions.
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Label frozen turkey with the date and contents. Use within 3-4 months for best quality.
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Never thaw frozen turkey on the counter or in hot water. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
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Once thawed, eat within 3-4 days. Do not refreeze thawed turkey more than once.
Proper chilling, wrapping, labeling and freezing allows you to enjoy delicious cooked turkey for days after the initial meal, reducing waste and letting you get your money’s worth from your holiday bird.
Reheating Leftover Turkey Safely
Besides proper storage, safe handling of cooked turkey leftovers is also crucial. Follow these steps when reheating to prevent risk of foodborne illness:
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Use leftover turkey within 3-4 days if refrigerated, or within 3-4 months if frozen. Discard if moldy, slimy or smelly.
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When reheating, turkey should reach an internal temperature of 165°F. Use a food thermometer to check.
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Bring sauces, soups and gravies containing turkey back to a full boil when reheating.
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Reheat only the amount that will be immediately consumed. Do not keep reheated turkey at room temperature.
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Refrigeratewithin 2 hours of bringing any reheated leftovers down to an edible temperature.
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Do not reheat turkey more than once. Only reheat fully thawed turkey.
Following proper procedures when reheating as well as when initially storing your cooked turkey reduces your risk of contracting a foodborne illness.
Enjoying Leftover Turkey Safely
Leftover turkey is delicious in casseroles, soups, sandwiches and salads. Here are some tips for safely enjoying your holiday turkey for days after:
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Within 2 days, make turkey stock with the carcass. Cool and refrigerate stock within 2 hours.
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Slice or shred turkey and mix into dishes like soup, chili, casseroles or wraps within 3-4 days.
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Refrigerate turkey gravy, dressing and other sides separately from turkey, and combine only when ready to reheat and eat.
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Add cooked turkey to salads, sandwiches, pizza and breakfast dishes like omelets and hash within 3-4 days.
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Use leftover turkey within recommended time limits, and discard if you see any signs of spoilage. When in doubt, throw it out!
Leftover turkey is very versatile. With proper storage, handling and reheating, you can continue to safely enjoy delicious turkey meals for up to 4 days after cooking. Follow the guidelines and trust your instincts to determine when your cooked turkey has reached the end of its shelf life. Then you can feast on your holiday bird to the very last bite!
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 safe to eat?
FAQ
Can you eat cooked turkey after 5 days?
Can you reheat turkey after 4 days?
How long can turkey sit after cooking?
How long is ground turkey good for after cooked?
How long can you eat frozen turkey?
It is usually best to consume it within three to four months, though, for taste reasons if nothing else. Turkey frozen for longer than four months tends to dry out and lose its flavor; it is often tough and unappetizing to eat.
Can one have turkey and carrots?
Eating turkey and carrots is part of healthy habits. The turkey has meat like chicken and is another healthy poultry option. Carrots are rich in carotenoids, it is a source of vitamin A, fiber, potassium and vitamin B3.
How many times can you eat leftover turkey meat?
Most food safety experts recommend reheating leftover turkey no more than two times. The general rule that turkey meat is safe to eat within four days of its storage is just that — a general rule. If your leftovers look like they have spoiled or give off unusual smells, do not eat them even if fewer than four days have passed.
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.