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 households, leftovers are one of the best parts of roasting a whole turkey Whether you’re working with the remnants of a holiday bird or have cooked up extra turkey just because, proper storage is key to enjoying turkey safely But how long can you actually keep turkey in the fridge before it goes bad?
Follow this complete guide to learn about refrigerating raw turkey, cooked turkey and turkey leftovers. You’ll also get tips on the best storage methods and signs of spoiled turkey so you can confidently store turkey in your fridge.
Overview of Raw vs. Cooked Turkey Storage
Raw and cooked turkey have different storage needs in the refrigerator:
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Raw turkey – Whole birds and pieces last 1-2 days max refrigerated. Ground turkey lasts 1-2 days.
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Cooked turkey – Leftover roasted whole birds and pieces keep 3-4 days refrigerated. Cooked ground turkey lasts 3-4 days.
Raw poultry has a shorter fridge life than cooked because bacteria are still present. Cooked turkey lasts slightly longer if handled properly.
How Long Does Raw Turkey Last in the Fridge?
For optimal safety and quality, raw turkey can be kept refrigerated for:
- Whole turkeys – 1 to 2 days
- Turkey pieces – 1 to 2 days
- Ground turkey – 1 to 2 days
Keep the turkey in its original wrapping or rewrap tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil until ready to cook. Place on a platter or pan to catch any juices.
Raw whole birds and pieces are only good for up to 2 days max in the fridge before cooking. Any longer increases chances of bacterial growth. Cook or freeze within the recommended timeframe.
How Long Does Cooked Turkey Last in the Fridge?
Cooked turkey has a slightly longer shelf life than raw poultry. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours of cooking. Then use within:
- Whole cooked turkeys – 3 to 4 days
- Cooked turkey pieces and slices – 3 to 4 days
- Cooked ground turkey – 3 to 4 days
Keep carved turkey meat in shallow containers or rewrap with foil or plastic wrap to minimize air exposure. Don’t let cooked turkey, stuffing, or gravy sit at room temperature over 2 hours before refrigerating.
How to Tell If Raw or Cooked Turkey Has Gone Bad
Check for the following before eating raw or cooked turkey:
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Slimy texture – Should not be sticky, tacky, or excessively moist
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Grey color – Should be uniform in color, not grayish or dull
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Off odor – Should not smell foul, rancid, or unpleasant
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Mold growth – Should not have fuzzy mold on the surface
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Discoloration – Should not have green, blue, or black spots
When in doubt, remember the saying “When in doubt, throw it out.” Don’t risk eating turkey that seems spoiled.
Proper Refrigeration Methods for Raw and Cooked Turkey
Follow these tips to safely store raw and cooked turkey:
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Refrigerate raw turkey at 40°F or below. Use within 1 to 2 days.
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Refrigerate cooked turkey at 40°F or below within 2 hours after cooking.
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Store turkey on a plate or in a container to catch juices.
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Keep raw turkey separate from other foods.
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Wrap or cover turkey tightly.
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Use cooked turkey within 3 to 4 days and don’t re-freeze.
Proper temperatures and storage methods prevent premature spoilage and bacterial growth. Monitor turkey for signs of spoilage.
Does Turkey Freeze Well?
Freezing extends the shelf life of raw and cooked turkey. To freeze:
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Double wrap turkey in plastic wrap and foil. Remove air and seal tightly.
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Label packages with contents, amount, and freeze date.
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Freeze turkey at 0°F or below right away.
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Once thawed, use within 3 to 4 days. Do not refreeze.
Frozen whole raw turkey lasts 1 year. Raw parts and cooked turkey pieces keep well frozen for 4 to 6 months. Maintain constant freezer temperatures.
Thawing Frozen Turkey
Always thaw turkey in the refrigerator, not on the counter:
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Place frozen turkey on a plate or pan to catch juices.
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Allow 24 hours of thawing time per 4 to 5 pounds.
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Cook raw turkey within 1 to 2 days after fridge thawing.
Microwave or cold water thawing can also be used if cooking immediately. Don’t thaw at room temperature over 2 hours.
Handling Leftover Turkey
For leftover cooked turkey:
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Remove meat from bones. Refrigerate in shallow containers within 2 hours of cooking.
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Use leftovers within 3 to 4 days.
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Reheat thoroughly to 165°F.
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Discard if moldy, slimy, or has off odors. Don’t taste questionable turkey!
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Freeze extras right away for longer storage.
Proper handling and storage of leftovers reduces the risk of foodborne illness. Don’t keep turkey past recommended time limits.
The Bottom Line
Raw turkey lasts just 1 to 2 days in the fridge, while cooked turkey and leftovers keep 3 to 4 days max when properly refrigerated. Monitor all turkey for signs of spoilage and don’t rely on smell alone to determine safety. Follow proper temperatures, storage methods, and use-by dates for optimum quality and safety.
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 can you keep a thawed turkey in the refrigerator before cooking?
FAQ
Can I keep a fresh turkey in the fridge for a week?
Is turkey still good after 5 days in fridge?
How long can fresh butterball turkey stay in the fridge?
How long can raw turkey meat stay in the fridge?
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Food
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Type
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Refrigerator [40°F (4°C) or below]
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Fresh poultry
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Chicken or turkey, whole
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1 to 2 days
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Chicken or turkey, pieces
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1 to 2 days
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Fin Fish
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Fatty Fish (bluefish, catfish, mackerel, mullet, salmon, tuna, etc.)
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1 – 3 Days
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Lean Fish (cod, flounder, haddock, halibut, sole, etc.)
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How long can you keep cooked turkey in the freezer?
You can keep cooked turkey in the freezer almost indefinitely, though, as microbial growth will stop when the food is frozen. 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.
How long does Turkey last in the fridge?
Turkey can last between 1-4 days in the fridge depending on whether it was previously cooked or not. Food that is not properly stored in the fridge can quickly spoil and cause bacteria growth. That’s why it’s important to know how different long types of food will last in the fridge to keep you safe and away from food poisoning.
How long can you keep a thawed Turkey in the fridge?
If you want to keep a thawed turkey in the fridge for a while, the only safe way to defrost it is to keep it in the fridge the entire time. If you use any other method, you’ll have to cook the bird off right away. For whole turkeys, allow one day of thawing for each 4 to 5 pounds of weight. A 20-pound turkey should be fully thawed in 4 or 5 days.
Can cooked turkey be refrigerated?
Cooked turkey can be kept in the refrigerator for four days if all guidelines are met. According to the USDA these guidelines are: If you won’t consume the turkey within four days after cooking, it’s best to freeze it to prolong its storage life. When reheating cooked turkey, ensure it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).