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.
Leftover turkey is a treasured part of many households’ holiday traditions. But uneaten turkey has a limited shelf life, even when properly stored. Understanding how many days turkey stays fresh in the refrigerator is key to reducing food waste and avoiding possible illness from spoiled meat.
When kept at the optimal temperature, cooked turkey can remain safe to eat for 3-4 days in the fridge. However, many factors affect leftovers’ exact shelf life. By learning proper storage methods, signs of spoilage, and ideal use-by dates, you can enjoy delicious leftover turkey without taking risks.
USDA Recommendations
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) offers guidelines on poultry storage life, though they note variability based on preparation and handling. Their official recommendation is:
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Store cooked turkey meat within 2 hours of preparation at 40°F or below.
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Use refrigerated turkey within 3 to 4 days for best quality.
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Freeze for longer storage of up to 4 months.
These guidelines help reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses. However, remember they are generalizations that depend on your specific situation.
Proper Refrigeration Is Key
To maximize freshness, ensure your refrigerator temperature is set to 40°F or below. Use an appliance thermometer to verify. The cold temperature significantly slows bacteria growth that causes spoilage and illness.
Store turkey in shallow airtight containers. This prevents drying out and limits air exposure. Portioning into smaller containers also helps avoid repeated openings
Don’t overcrowd the fridge as this reduces cold air circulation needed to maintain the proper temperature.
Factor In Preparation Methods
How the turkey was cooked affects how long it stays fresh
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Whole roasted turkeys maintain quality longer than parts. The interior meat is less exposed.
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Cooked ahead turkey keeps longer than freshly roasted. Just carve off portions as needed.
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Deep fried turkeys have a slightly shorter shelf life given high cooking temperatures. Eat within 3 days.
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Smoked turkey, lunch meats, and rotisserie turkey sold at delis have added preservatives to extend shelf life opened. Follow package dates.
Watch For Signs Of Spoilage
Relying on sight and smell helps gauge if turkey is past its prime:
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Color changes from pink or white to grey/green indicate spoilage.
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Slimy texture or noticeably sticky fluids are a sign bacteria levels are unsafe.
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Off odors like sourness or mold signal the turkey has spoiled.
When in doubt, remember the old adage “when in doubt, throw it out.” Don’t risk getting sick from eating questionable poultry.
Freezing Provides Longer Storage
For enjoying turkey beyond the recommended 3-4 days, freezing is ideal. Portion turkey into freezer bags or airtight containers, removing as much air as possible.
Frozen turkey maintains quality up to 4 months. It remains safe indefinitely, but moisture loss can affect texture and flavor over longer freezing.
Defrost frozen turkey in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. Don’t leave at room temperature more than 2 hours.
Other Food Safety Measures
Proper handling of turkey before refrigerating improves shelf life:
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Allow the cooked turkey to cool at room temperature no more than 2 hours before storing.
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Carve turkey before refrigerating. Large intact portions hold heat longer, raising risks.
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Prevent cross-contamination by using separate cutting boards, utensils, plates for raw and cooked turkey.
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Discard any turkey left out more than 2 hours; don’t risk improper cooling.
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Refrigerate gravy and other leftovers within 2 hours, in shallow containers for quick cooling
Recommended Use-By Dates
Taking all factors into account, here are some general use-by dates for leftover turkey:
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Cooked turkey carcass – 3 to 4 days
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Turkey pieces or slices – 3 to 4 days
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Turkey gravy – 1 to 2 days
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Pre-cooked deli turkey – 3 to 5 days (follow package)
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Fried turkey – 3 days
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Smoked turkey- 7 days
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Frozen turkey – 4 months for quality
Remember these are guidelines, not guarantees. Always inspect and evaluate the smell/texture of leftovers before consuming. When in any doubt, play it safe and toss it out.
Leftover turkey can remain fresh for 3-4 days when properly stored in the refrigerator at 40°F or below. Freezing extends the shelf life up to 4 months. Monitor appearance, smell and texture closely for any signs of spoilage. With good food safety practices, you can safely enjoy delicious leftover turkey well beyond the holiday meal.
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
Can you eat leftover turkey after 5 days?
Can a turkey sit in the fridge for 5 days?
Can I keep a fresh turkey in the fridge for 6 days?
Is turkey safe to eat after 7 days?
How long does a cooked turkey last in the fridge?
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. Eat frozen turkey leftovers within 6 months for premier quality.
How long does leftover Turkey last in the freezer?
The general consensus is that most food can safely be kept in the freezer indefinitely, but the USDA recommends consuming most frozen foods within two to six months for the best quality, depending on what you’re freezing.
Can you freeze cooked turkey?
Yes, you can freeze leftover turkey. The USDA states that turkey can be frozen for three to four months. “Although safe indefinitely, frozen leftovers can lose moisture and flavor when stored for longer times in the freezer,” the USDA website states . How Long Is A Frozen Turkey Good For? Can Cooked Turkey Go Bad?
Can you eat cold cooked turkey from the fridge?
You can safely reheat refrigerated cooked turkey in the oven or microwave until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to eliminate any potential bacteria. Q4: Is it safe to eat cold cooked turkey straight from the fridge?