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 table has been cleared and you’re faced with piles of leftover turkey. Now what? Properly storing leftover turkey ensures you can safely enjoy delicious sandwiches, casseroles and soups for days after the big feast. Follow this guide to maximize your turkey leftovers.
Refrigerating Turkey Meat
According to the USDA, cooked turkey will last 3-4 days when properly stored in the refrigerator. To maximize freshness
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Allow the turkey to cool completely within 2 hours before refrigerating. Divide meat into smaller portions to speed cooling.
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Store turkey in sealed airtight containers or resealable plastic bags. This prevents drying out.
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Use leftovers within 3-4 days for optimal quality and safety Discard any turkey older than 4 days
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Refrigerate stuffing and gravy separately from turkey meat.
The fridge temperature should be 40°F or below – check with a refrigerator thermometer. The cold environment slows bacteria growth that causes spoilage.
Freezing Leftover Turkey
For longer term storage, freeze leftover turkey meat. According to the USDA, frozen turkey will maintain quality for 3-4 months but remains safe indefinitely.
To freeze properly:
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Divide into portions and place in freezer bags or airtight containers. Remove as much air as possible.
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Label packages with contents and date. This prevents mystery leftovers.
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Freeze within 2 hours of cooking. Use within 3-4 months for best flavor and texture.
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Once thawed, use within 3-4 days. Do not refreeze thawed turkey.
A freezer temperature of 0°F ensures safe freezing. Use an appliance thermometer to monitor.
Signs Your Turkey Has Spoiled
Rely on your senses to check for spoiled turkey. Discard turkey that is:
- Slimy with an off smell or color
- Dried out with foul odor when cooked
- Moldy or has a yeasty smell
Discoloration, odd textures and unpleasant odors indicate bacterial growth. When in doubt, throw it out.
Safely Reheating Leftover Turkey
Proper reheating kills any bacteria that may have multiplied during storage. Follow these tips:
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Use cooked turkey within 3-4 days (refrigerated) or 3-4 months (frozen).
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Thaw frozen turkey in the fridge before reheating. Do not thaw at room temperature.
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Reheat to 165°F. Bring soups, gravy and stuffing to a boil.
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Reheat thoroughly until steaming hot throughout.
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Do not eat turkey that is still cold in the center.
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Bring sauces, soups and gravy to a rolling boil when reheating.
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Discard turkey if reheating doesn’t bring it to 165°F.
Getting Creative with Leftovers
Liven up boring old turkey meat with these creative ideas:
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Turkey club sandwich – Layer sliced turkey, bacon, lettuce and tomato on toasted bread.
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Open-faced hot turkey sandwich – Place leftover turkey slices on bread topped with hot gravy or cranberry sauce.
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BBQ turkey pizza – Top pizza crust with turkey, barbecue sauce, red onion and cilantro.
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Turkey pot pie – Make a creamy turkey and veggie pie topped with flaky pastry.
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Turkey tetrazzini – Toss spaghetti with turkey, mushrooms and Parmesan cheese sauce.
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Turkey tacos – Wrap shredded turkey in soft tortillas with salsa and cabbage slaw.
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Turkey noodle soup – Simmer turkey meatballs and egg noodles in broth with carrots and celery.
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Turkey casserole – Combine turkey, stuffing, veggies and cheese in a creamy sauce and bake.
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Turkey curry – Sauté turkey breast with Indian spices and serve over rice.
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Turkey chili – Swap ground beef for ground turkey in your favorite chili recipe.
With proper refrigeration and freezing techniques, you can safely store and enjoy leftover turkey for up to 4 months. Get creative with the leftovers! Those turkey tacos and pot pies will taste even better the next day.
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
Can I eat leftover turkey after 7 days?
Is it OK to eat turkey that’s been in the fridge for 2 weeks?
How long are turkey leftovers good in the fridge?
Can you reheat turkey after 4 days?