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.
Planning for Thanksgiving dinner and wondering how long your turkey will last in the fridge? You’re not alone. With the average whole turkey weighing 16-20 pounds and serving 9 people, there are often ample leftovers after the big feast. Knowing how to properly store turkey is key to enjoying delicious sandwiches and casseroles in the days following without any safety issues.
I’ll walk through everything you need to know about refrigerating whole raw turkeys as well as cooked turkey leftovers Follow these turkey storage tips and you’ll have peace of mind that your holiday bird will be safe to enjoy for multiple meals,
Storing a Raw Turkey in the Fridge
When storing a raw whole turkey in the refrigerator, it’s ideal to use it within 1-2 days of purchasing it. Here are some tips for maximizing freshness:
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Keep the turkey in its original wrapping. This prevents cross-contamination and keeps the turkey from drying out.
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Place the turkey on a tray or pan to catch any leaks. Raw poultry juices can spread bacteria throughout your fridge.
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Store the turkey in the coldest part of your fridge, usually the bottom shelf or meat drawer. The temperature should be 40°F or below.
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Don’t overcrowd the fridge. Cold air needs to circulate properly to keep food safe.
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Use the turkey within 1-2 days for absolute best quality. Ground turkey should be used within 1-2 days.
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If you won’t be cooking your turkey within this timeframe, it’s best to freeze it until you’re ready to thaw and roast.
Following the one to two day rule ensures your raw turkey maintains optimal freshness and flavor. Relying on smell to determine if raw turkey has spoiled isn’t completely reliable, so it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Thawing a Frozen Turkey
If you purchased a frozen turkey, proper thawing is critical. There are three safe ways to thaw a turkey:
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In the refrigerator: Allow 24 hours of thawing time per 4-5 pounds. Place the frozen turkey in a pan to catch drips and thaw in the bottom of the fridge.
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In cold water: Submerge the turkey in its wrapper in cold tap water, changing the water every 30 minutes. Approximately 30 minutes per pound of turkey.
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In the microwave: Follow your microwave’s instructions, allowing approximately 6 minutes per pound. Cook it immediately after microwaving.
Avoid thawing at room temperature, as the turkey will be in the danger zone for bacterial growth for too long. And never thaw in hot water, which can start cooking the turkey.
Once thawed, the turkey can remain in the fridge for 1-2 days before cooking. If you need more time, you can refreeze it, but the texture may suffer a bit.
Storing Leftover Cooked Turkey
Nothing beats leftover turkey sandwiches and casseroles! Here are some tips for storing cooked turkey:
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Allow the turkey to cool completely before refrigerating it, within 2 hours after cooking. Separate meat from the bone prior to storage.
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Store turkey in shallow airtight containers to allow for rapid cooling.
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Refrigerate stuffing and gravy separately from turkey.
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Properly stored leftovers can last 3-4 days in the fridge. Wings, legs and thighs may last a bit longer.
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Inspect leftovers daily and rely on your sense of sight and smell. Discard anything that smells, looks or feels “off.”
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Reheat leftovers to an internal temperature of 165°F.
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For longer storage, you can freeze leftovers for 2-6 months.
Following proper food safety practices when storing your Thanksgiving turkey will ensure you can continue enjoying delicious leftovers without the risk of foodborne illness. Trust your instincts—when in doubt, throw it out. Stay safe so you can focus on enjoying time with family and friends!
Frequently Asked Questions About Storing Turkey
Here are answers to some common questions about storing turkey:
How can you tell if raw turkey is bad?
Signs that raw turkey has spoiled include a foul, ammonia-like odor, slimy texture, and gray, green or yellow discoloration. A whole turkey will begin to change color on the outside first. Rely more on your sense of smell rather than visual cues to determine if raw turkey has gone bad.
Should you rinse raw turkey?
Do not rinse raw turkey before cooking. This can spread harmful bacteria to hands, utensils, surfaces and ready-to-eat foods. Cooking turkey thoroughly to an internal temperature of 165°F is all that’s needed to kill bacteria.
How do you store an unfrozen turkey?
An unfrozen turkey that wasn’t previously frozen should be cooked within 1-2 days of purchasing, or you can freeze it immediately until ready to thaw and cook. Store unfrozen turkey in the coldest part of the fridge in its original wrapping or a sealable plastic bag.
Can you freeze leftover turkey?
Yes, cooked turkey leftovers can be frozen for optimal quality for 2-6 months. Remove meat from the bone, store in airtight containers with as much air removed as possible, and label with the date and contents before freezing.
Can you eat leftover turkey after a week?
It’s not recommended to eat leftover turkey beyond 3-4 days refrigerated. Even when kept at a safe 40°F temperature, the quality, taste and texture of the turkey will deteriorate after a week. Frozen leftovers kept at 0°F maintain quality for 2-6 months.
Storing turkey properly is key to enjoying delicious meals without worry around the holidays. Follow these guidelines for storing whole turkeys as well as leftovers to ensure your food stays safe and appetizing. Trust your senses—if in doubt, throw it out. Happy Thanksgiving!
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 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.