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.
One of the best parts about Thanksgiving is enjoying all those tasty leftovers for days after. But with cooked turkey, gravy, stuffing, and all those side dishes piled high in your refrigerator, it’s normal to wonder – just how long will they last?
When it comes to leftover turkey specifically, there are some definite time limits you’ll want to follow for food safety. Here’s a detailed look at exactly how many days cooked turkey keeps in the fridge and freezer.
USDA Recommendations for Leftover Turkey Storage
According to the USDA FoodKeeper app, fully cooked whole turkeys and turkey pieces can be safely stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days If freezing, they suggest consuming the frozen leftovers within 2-6 months for best quality
So your Thanksgiving turkey leftovers should keep in the fridge for 3-4 days maximum. What’s most important is getting them stored properly within 2 hours of coming off the bones.
Storing Turkey Safely After Thanksgiving
Once the feast is over, be sure to carve any remaining meat off the turkey bones and refrigerate in shallow containers within 2 hours. This allows the turkey to chill quickly, preventing bacterial growth.
For optimal freshness, store turkey pieces and slices in airtight containers or resealable bags. Always label leftovers with the date for easy tracking.
Keep the turkey towards the back of the fridge, not in the door where the temperature fluctuates. And don’t overcrowd the fridge or stack containers too high, as this hampers circulation.
Signs Your Leftover Turkey Has Gone Bad
While leftover turkey keeps for 3-4 days in the fridge, it’s important to watch for signs of spoilage before eating. Discard any turkey that shows:
- Slimy or slippery texture
- Grayish color
- Off or sour smell
- Mold growth
If you notice any of these changes, it’s time to throw out the turkey for safety. Don’t risk food poisoning – when in doubt, throw it out.
Extending Your Leftovers By Freezing
For longer leftover lifespans, move any uneaten turkey to the freezer within that 4 day window. Portion turkey into freezer bags or airtight containers, removing as much air as possible.
Frozen leftovers maintain top quality for 2-3 months. After 6 months, frozen turkey is still safe but may suffer some freezer burn. Just thaw turkey overnight in the fridge before using.
Reheating Leftover Turkey Safely
Always reheat leftovers thoroughly to 165°F. Quickly reheat small portions using the stovetop, oven, or microwave. Don’t eat any cold turkey once it’s been stored.
Avoid keeping leftovers at room temperature for more than 2 hours total. And never re-freeze thawed turkey or reheat more than once. Follow these tips to safely enjoy your Thanksgiving turkey all week long.
Creative Ways To Use Up Leftover Turkey
Leftover turkey often winds up in boring sandwiches. But you can transform those remnants into much more exciting fare. Get creative with these recipe ideas:
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Turkey Enchiladas – Shredded turkey rolled up with cheese, salsa, and beans for an easy Mexican meal.
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Turkey Pot Pie – Comfort food at its finest! Just mix turkey with veggies and gravy topped with flaky pie crust.
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Turkey Tetrazzini – A rich, creamy pasta bake made decadent with Parmesan and sherry.
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Turkey Casserole – Combine turkey, stuffing, veggies, and cheese for an easy one-pan dish.
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Turkey Soup – Transform carcass and scraps into nourishing soup loaded with veggies.
With a little creativity, you’ll look forward to turkey leftovers for days!
Safety Tips for Other Thanksgiving Leftovers
While turkey has a limited fridge life, many other Thanksgiving foods can last 5-7 days properly stored. Here are general guidelines:
- Stuffing and casseroles: 5 days
- Mashed potatoes: 5-7 days
- Gravy: 5 days
- Cranberry sauce: 10-14 days
- Vegetable side dishes: 5 days
- Desserts with cream cheese: 5 days
- Pumpkin pie: 5 days
Monitor all leftovers closely for signs of mold or spoilage. When reheating, heat thoroughly to 165°F. And don’t forget to label everything for easy tracking!
The Takeaway: Enjoy Leftovers By Day 4
When prioritizing food safety, it’s best to consume leftover turkey within 3-4 days and other sides within 5-7 days. If you know you won’t finish them, move any leftovers you want to save to the freezer by day 4.
Follow proper refrigeration and freezing guidelines, reheating thoroughly when ready to eat. With some simple preparation, you can continue enjoying all those Thanksgiving leftovers for the whole week after and have tasty turkey meals for months ahead!
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 is leftover turkey good for in the fridge?
FAQ
Is leftover turkey good after 7 days?
Is it OK to eat turkey that’s been in the fridge for 2 weeks?
Are leftovers good after 7 days?
How long is uncooked turkey good for in the fridge?
How long can a cooked Thanksgiving turkey stay in the fridge?
A leftover cooked Thanksgiving turkey will keep for three to four days in the fridge and two to three months in the freezer. Before freezing, it’s best to carve the turkey off the bone to allow it to freeze and defrost more evenly. (You can freeze the carcass separately if you want to make turkey stock .)
How long does leftover Thanksgiving turkey last?
Leftover Thanksgiving turkey that is fully cooked will last in the fridge for about 3 to 4 days. As for the freezer, the lifespan of your leftover turkey depends on the quality of said freezer. “If you have a really good freezer that maintains a temp of 0°F or below, it’s indefinite,” James says.
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 can you eat frozen turkey?
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, turkey is good to eat for the next three-to-four days if refrigerated in 40 degrees or less. However if frozen it can be used for up to four months. Although safe indefinitely, frozen leftovers can lose moisture and flavor when stored for longer times in the freezer, says the USDA.