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 Thanksgiving turkey and all the tasty trimmings are the best part of the holiday feast. But just how long will those leftovers last in the fridge once the celebrations are over? Knowing the fridge life of turkey and other dishes will ensure you can safely enjoy leftovers without any foodborne illness.
Here’s a guide to how many days different Thanksgiving leftovers will last refrigerated, according to food safety experts.
Turkey Leftovers Fridge Life
The star of the show, leftover turkey, will last 3-4 days refrigerated. Be sure to carve any whole turkey and divide it into smaller portions within 2 hours of cooking. Store turkey pieces or slices in shallow airtight containers. Look for signs of spoilage like sliminess, off-smell, or mold.
For optimum quality the USDA recommends consuming refrigerated turkey within 3-4 days. But for food safety cooked turkey can last up to 7 days if properly stored. Just be aware the taste, texture, and moisture content will deteriorate after day 4.
Tip Leftover turkey breast or deli meats last only 3-5 days refrigerated.
Stuffing and Dressing Fridge Life
Stuffing and dressings are very perishable so they should not be left out more than 2 hours after cooking. To maximize fridge life, divide stuffing or dressing into shallow storage containers for quick cooling.
expect refrigerated stuffing or dressing to last 3-4 days. Check for any mold growth, off-smell, or sliminess which are signs of spoilage.
Gravy and Broth Leftovers
Homemade gravy and broths should be refrigerated within 2 hours and kept for only 1-2 days. Their high moisture content makes them prone to faster spoilage from bacterial growth. Discard any gravy or broth that smells odd or develops a gel-like skin.
Mashed Potatoes Fridge Life
Cooked mashed potatoes will last 3-5 days in the fridge. Place them in an airtight container and check for any mold, sour smell, or sliminess before eating. The potatoes may dry out after a few days but can still be revived.
Cranberry Sauce Fridge Life
Cranberry sauce keeps 1-2 weeks refrigerated due to its high acidity. The jellied sauce can last even longer – up to 1 month refrigerated. But it may lose quality and mold after 2 weeks. Discard if you see any mold.
Green Bean Casserole Leftovers
Get green bean casserole into the fridge within 2 hours. It should last 3-4 days refrigerated. Check for off smells or textures. The crunchy fried onion topping may soften over time.
Pie and Baked Goods
Cover and refrigerate any leftover pies, cakes, or cookies. Fruit pies last 2-3 days, pecan pie 3-4 days, and pumpkin pie 3-5 days. Baked goods like rolls, muffins, or dinner rolls keep 3-5 days. Watch for mold growth.
Ham Leftovers
A fully cooked bone-in or spiral cut ham keeps 3-5 days refrigerated. Sliced ham lasts 3-4 days. Ham slices from a deli keep just 3-5 days. Be vigilant for any sliminess or off-smells.
Casseroles Leftover Fridge Life
Most cooked casseroles like green bean, squash, or sweet potato will last 3-4 days refrigerated. Split into shallow dishes so the food cools quickly. Look for signs of spoilage.
Salad Leftovers
Keep leafy salad greens only 2-3 days refrigerated. Other prepped salad ingredients like chopped veggies or pasta salads are safe 3-5 days. Be alert for any wilting, browning, or slimy textures.
Refrigerator Leftover Storage Tips
To maximize leftover lifespan:
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Cool all foods within 2 hours and divide into shallow containers.
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Check leftovers daily for signs of spoilage like mold, off-smell or texture, sliminess.
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Keep thawed turkeys only 1-2 days refrigerated.
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Label containers with dates so you know fridge life.
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Use older leftovers sooner. First in, first out!
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Don’t crowd fridge or stack containers. This hinders cooling.
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Keep fridge below 40°F. Use a thermometer to check the temperature.
The Freezer is Your Friend!
For leftovers you won’t eat within 3-5 days, extend their shelf life by freezing. Most cooked foods like turkey, stuffing, casseroles, potatoes, pie, and other baked goods freeze well for 4-6 months.
Just portion food into airtight freezer bags or containers allowing headspace. Avoid overstuffing. Then label bags with contents and date. Place in freezer immediately after packaging.
Thaw frozen leftovers in the fridge overnight when ready to eat. You can also reheat thawed foods directly from the fridge. Just remember: Once thawed, eat refrigerated leftovers within 3-4 days.
The Bottom Line
Leftover turkey and Thanksgiving side dishes last 3-5 days in the fridge if stored properly in shallow, covered containers. Check food daily for any signs of spoilage. For longer leftovers lifespan, freeze items within 3-5 days. And remember the basic rules: Store all cooked foods within 2 hours, keep fridge below 40°F, and watch for mold or off-smells. Follow these fridge life guidelines and you can safely enjoy your Thanksgiving leftovers for almost a week! Just make sure to eat the turkey, stuffing, and deli items within 3-4 days for best quality.
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.
How long is leftover turkey good for in the fridge?
FAQ
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