If there’s one surefire way to ruin a Thanksgiving, it’s serving your family a spoiled turkey. Here’s what you need to know about freezing a turkey safely:
How Long Does Frozen Turkey Last? Know When It’s Time to Toss Your Bird
For those who love cooking up turkey, having some in the freezer is essential. But frozen turkey doesn’t last forever and knowing when it’s time to toss an old bird is important. Follow proper freezing and storage methods, and you can enjoy perfectly delicious frozen turkey for up to a year.
Optimal Freezer Storage Times for Raw Turkey
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), raw whole turkeys that are properly frozen at 0°F or below can maintain optimal flavor and texture for up to 1 year. For raw turkey parts like breasts, thighs, legs or wings, the recommended freezer storage time is slightly shorter at 9 months maximum. These USDA freezer guidelines apply to fresh turkeys that have never been frozen before. Make sure to check the use-by date on turkey packaging and freeze well before that date for maximum freshness.
Proper Freezing Methods
To achieve the full 1 year freezer shelf life for whole turkeys or 9 months for parts, proper freezing methods are key:
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Freeze turkey immediately after purchasing at the grocery store. Don’t let it languish in the fridge.
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Ensure your freezer is set to 0°F or below. Use a freezer thermometer to monitor temperature.
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Place turkey in air-tight, freezer-safe plastic bags or wrap in aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. Remove as much air as possible.
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Lay turkeys flat on freezer shelves rather than standing upright so they freeze evenly and quickly.
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Label bags with the freeze date and contents. Track shelf life.
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Avoid overloading one freezer area. Even air flow ensures consistent temperatures.
How To Know When Frozen Turkey Is No Longer Good
Rely first on the freeze-by date you recorded. Discard turkey that has exceeded the recommended 1 year freezing time, even if it still looks fine. Freezer burn, changes in color and smell can also indicate spoiled turkey:
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The frozen turkey has an off odor, smelling sour or rancid. Sound turkey has little odor when raw.
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The flesh is dry, tough, stringy or mushy. Good turkey meat should still feel moist and tender when thawed.
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The color has turned green, blue, black or grey. Unblemished, fresh turkey is pink or white.
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The turkey is misshapen, shrivelled or torn, signs of excessive freezer burn.
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The packaging has tears or is damaged. This allows air exposure and freezer burn.
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Ice crystals or a dried out appearance signal freezer burned turkey past its prime.
For optimal safety, discard frozen turkey if you have any concerns about storage, shelf life or overall condition. Don’t risk foodborne illness.
How Long Does Cooked Turkey Last Frozen?
Cooked turkey also has excellent frozen shelf life, although shorter than raw poultry. The USDA recommends consuming frozen cooked turkey within 4 months for pieces and up to 6 months for whole birds. Portion cooked turkey into freezer bags or containers, removing air. Freeze right away after cooking or after refrigerating for no more than 3-4 days. Reheat cooked frozen turkey to 165°F until steaming hot. Don’t refreeze thawed cooked turkey.
Turkey Storage FAQs
How long can I leave turkey in the fridge before freezing?
Refrigerate fresh or cooked turkey no more than 2 days before freezing for best quality.
Is it safe to eat turkey with freezer burn?
It’s safe but unappetizing in texture and flavor. Severely freezer burned turkey should be discarded.
Can I freeze turkey direct from the store packaging?
Yes, but overwrap in air-tight freezer bags or foil for optimal freshness.
Should I brine or marinate turkey before freezing?
No, only brine or marinate thawed turkey. Flavors don’t properly penetrate frozen turkey.
Can I freeze turkey again after thawing?
Do not refreeze raw turkey once thawed. Refreezing increases risk of bacteria growth.
The Takeaway
With proper freezing techniques, whole raw turkey can stay fresh in the freezer for up to 1 full year, while raw parts last up to 9 months. Follow the recommended storage times and discard turkey once it surpasses those dates for the best quality and food safety.
How Long Can You Keep a Raw, Frozen Turkey?
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You can keep a frozen turkey for a whopping two years, according to Butterball.
Make sure the meat stays frozen for the entire time. For instance, if your power went out during the storage period and your turkey began to thaw, throw it out. It’s also important to make sure it stays in its original packaging (and that the packaging and vacuum seal is intact with no holes or tears).
How to Store a Frozen Turkey
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As long as you keep your turkey in its original packaging and the freezer temperature is constantly set at 0℉ or lower, you should be good.
Related: How to Perfectly Cook a Turkey In the Oven
How long can a turkey stay frozen?
FAQ
Is a 2 year frozen turkey safe to eat?
How long can a turkey be frozen before it goes bad?
Can you eat frozen turkey after 12 months?
How long is a frozen butterball turkey good for?
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.
How long can cervical cancer remain frozen?
Cryotherapy is a treatment that prevents cervical cancer. Your doctor uses a chemical to freeze abnormal cells off your cervix so normal ones can grow back. The freezing is done for 3 minutes. The cervix is allowed to thaw for 5 minutes.
How long can a cooked turkey last in the freezer?
But when properly stored, raw turkey pieces should be fine in the freezer for up to nine months, while whole raw turkeys can last for a year when frozen. Cooked turkey pieces last in the freezer for two to six months. So, if you buy a frozen raw turkey now, it will still be good to defrost, cook and eat in December.
How long can a frozen turkey breast be stored?
If the turkey breast was frozen in freezer paper or ziplock plastic bags, again, provided there has not been any damage to the integrity of the packaging, 12 months should be fine for storage.