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.
With the holidays coming up, many people stock up on frozen turkeys ahead of time to take one major task off their prep list. But if you bought your turkey well in advance, or have leftovers, you may be wondering – how long can you freeze a raw turkey safely?
When stored properly in the freezer, a raw turkey can last for up to one year before the quality starts to decline For the best taste and texture, aim to cook your frozen turkey within 9-12 months of storing it Here are some turkey freezing tips and timelines to follow for safely freezing raw turkeys for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any special meal.
USDA Recommendations
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, raw whole turkeys that are properly packaged can be kept frozen for up to 1 year and still be safe to cook and eat. The USDA does note that freezing longer than a year may lead to drier texture and flavor loss.
For optimal taste and moisture, the USDA thus recommends using frozen raw turkeys within 9-12 months. This timeframe gives you plenty of time to buy turkeys well ahead of the holidays.
Store Turkey at 0°F or Below
To safely freeze a raw turkey for the longest duration, it must be stored at a steady temperature of 0°F or below. Fluctuating freezer temperatures can shorten how long turkey lasts. Monitor your freezer to ensure it’s constantly at 0°F or colder.
Package the turkey properly before freezing. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or freezer bags and press out as much air as possible. This prevents freezer burn which can dry out the turkey.
Freeze by the Sell-By Date
Fresh turkeys sold in grocery stores often have a sell-by date printed on the packaging. Be sure to freeze fresh turkeys by this sell-by date for optimal quality and safety.
Freezing before the sell-by date helps prevent spoilage and bacteria growth. Don’t buy fresh turkeys too far in advance of when you’ll realistically use them.
Unopened vs. Opened Turkeys
Raw turkeys that are still in their original commercial packaging will keep longer in the freezer than turkeys that have been opened. Once the packaging is opened, oxygen can penetrate and speed up freezer burn.
If freezing an opened fresh turkey, rewrap it tightly in plastic wrap, foil, or freezer bags. Remove as much air as possible before sealing. Then label the package with the freeze date so you know when it was stored.
Cook Within 2 Days of Thawing
When you’re finally ready to use your frozen turkey, safely thaw it in the fridge 24 hours ahead for every 4-5 pounds. Cook the turkey within 1-2 days of thawing – don’t refreeze.
Refreezing a thawed turkey can allow bacteria to multiply to unsafe levels. Cook thawed turkey immediately for food safety.
Can You Freeze a Turkey Longer Than a Year?
Technically you can freeze a raw turkey for longer than a year, though the USDA doesn’t recommend it. Turkey frozen for over a year will still be safe to eat, but the texture and moisture will decline.
If you find yourself with a long-frozen turkey, cook it to a safe internal temperature of 165°F. Expect it to have a more dry, stringy texture. Use extra broth and gravy to keep it moist.
Freeze Turkey Parts and Leftovers
You can also safely freeze turkey parts like breasts, legs, wings, thighs, and leftovers for 3-4 months in portions. Cooked turkey will last 4-6 months in the freezer.
Wrap pieces tightly in freezer wrap, bags, or airtight containers. Frozen cooked turkey works great for casseroles, soups, sandwiches, and more down the road.
Storing a raw turkey properly at 0°F in the freezer gives you lots of time to cook a beautifully delicious bird for any festive occasion. Follow the tips above to maximize turkey freshness and quality after freezing.
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.
Your browser does not support the video element.
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.
Your browser does not support the video element.
How long can a turkey stay frozen?
FAQ
Is a 2 year old frozen turkey ok to eat?
How long can a turkey be frozen before it goes bad?
Can you freeze a whole raw turkey?
How long can you keep a raw turkey?
|
Food
|
Type
|
Refrigerator [40°F (4°C) or below]
|
|
Fresh poultry
|
Chicken or turkey, whole
|
1 to 2 days
|
|
|
Chicken or turkey, pieces
|
1 to 2 days
|
|
Fin Fish
|
Fatty Fish (bluefish, catfish, mackerel, mullet, salmon, tuna, etc.)
|
1 – 3 Days
|
|
|
Lean Fish (cod, flounder, haddock, halibut, sole, etc.)
|
|
Can you freeze a whole turkey?
If you decide to freeze a whole turkey for long term, keep these safety tips in mind: Make sure your turkey is unopened. If you have a fresh turkey and would like to freeze it for later, get it in the freezer before the “use-by” date on the package. The USDA recommends using frozen turkey within the first year of storage for the best quality.
How long can you keep a Turkey in the freezer?
It also depends on whether you’re storing a whole or chopped-up bird. You can freeze a whole fresh turkey for up to a year. Meanwhile, you can freeze fresh turkey parts for up to nine months. In both cases, the turkey must be raw to start with. Freezing cooked turkey will allow you to keep the bird for about two to six months.
Does raw turkey stay good in the freezer?
Raw turkey (and meat) will stay good in the freezer indefinitely. All meat is good in the freezer indefinitely, but only if it is stored at 0°F consistently. This rule applies to meat stored at exactly 0°F without fluctuation, and it must be uniformly frozen at that temperature to keep harmful bacteria away.
How long can a frozen turkey last without spoiling?
Freezing effectively halts the growth of bacteria, which is why frozen foods can last so long without spoiling. However, while a frozen turkey can remain safe indefinitely, its quality will deteriorate over time. For the best taste and texture, it is recommended to consume the turkey within a specific timeframe. 1.