Turkey is a lean and tasty protein that can be enjoyed in everything from sandwiches to stir-fries. However, like any meat, turkey is perishable and can go bad if not stored and handled properly. Eating spoiled turkey can cause unpleasant symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Luckily, there are several easy ways to determine if your turkey is still good or if it’s time to toss it. This guide will go over all the signs of spoiled turkey, tips on turkey storage, and how long turkey lasts in the fridge or freezer. Read on to learn everything you need to know how to tell if turkey is bad.
Now that you know how to tell if turkey has gone bad, it’s equally important to understand how to store turkey correctly to extend its shelf life and prevent spoilage in the first place.
Cooking up a tasty turkey is a holiday tradition for many families. However, if not stored and handled properly, your turkey can go bad. Eating spoiled turkey can make you and your family sick, so it’s important to know how to check if your turkey is still fresh and safe to eat.
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about determining if your turkey has gone bad We’ll discuss
- The signs of spoiled raw and cooked turkey
- How long turkey can be safely stored
- Why your turkey may have gone bad
- Tips for optimal turkey storage
Signs That Your Raw Turkey Has Gone Bad
The most telling signs that a raw turkey has spoiled are changes in smell texture and appearance.
Rancid Smell
A spoiled raw turkey will often give off a rancid or rotten odor Some describe it as smelling like rotten eggs or sulfur If your raw turkey smells bad, it has likely gone bad.
Slimy Texture
Fresh, raw turkey should feel slightly damp on the surface but not overly sticky or slimy. A slimy texture on the skin likely means bacteria growth has begun and the turkey should be discarded.
Color Changes
Raw turkey meat that is still fresh will be pale pink or peachy in color. As it starts to spoil, the color changes to gray or greenish. These color changes indicate your turkey is past its prime.
Mold Growth
The growth of black, blue, yellow, or white mold on raw turkey is a clear sign it has gone bad. Any mold growth means the turkey should be immediately thrown out.
Signs Your Cooked Turkey Has Spoiled
Leftover cooked turkey can also grow bacteria if not properly stored. Watch out for these signs of spoiled cooked turkey:
Sour Smell
Cooked turkey that has gone bad will often smell sour or sickly sweet. If it has a strong, offensive odor, it should be thrown out.
Change In Color
Freshly cooked turkey meat should be white or brown, depending on the cut. A grayish hue likely means the turkey is past its prime.
Slimy Texture
The turkey meat itself may become slimy in texture. Any sticky or slimy feeling indicates spoilage.
Mold Spots
Like raw turkey, cooked turkey can grow mold once it spoils. Blue, black, or white fuzzy spots mean the turkey needs to be discarded.
Turkey Shelf Life and Proper Storage
To avoid spoiled turkey, it’s important to understand how long turkey can be safely stored. Here are some turkey storage guidelines to follow:
- Fresh raw turkey from the grocery store – 1 to 2 days in the fridge
- Fresh raw turkey from a local farm – 7 to 10 days in the fridge
- Frozen raw turkey – 1 year in the freezer
- Thawed raw turkey – 1 to 2 days in the fridge
- Leftover cooked turkey – 3 to 4 days in the fridge
- Frozen cooked turkey – 4 months in the freezer
To optimize freshness, store turkey in the back of the refrigerator or at the bottom of the freezer. Keep the temperature at or below 40°F in the fridge and 0°F in the freezer. Use leftover cooked turkey within 3-4 days and make sure to reheat it thoroughly before eating.
Reasons Your Turkey May Have Spoiled Quickly
There are a few reasons why your turkey may have spoiled faster than expected:
- Purchased past its sell-by or use-by date
- Improper storage temperature
- Turkey wasn’t wrapped tightly enough
- Repeated opening/closing of the fridge
- Turkey was left in the “danger zone” temperature too long
Always check dates on turkeys at the store and ensure your fridge/freezer temperatures are correct. Discard turkey that smells, looks, or feels like it may be spoiled – don’t risk eating it.
Tips for Optimal Turkey Freshness
Here are some tips for keeping your turkey as fresh as possible:
- Purchase turkey only 1-2 days before cooking it
- Immediately store turkey in the back of the fridge or freezer
- Keep turkey tightly wrapped in original packaging or freezer bag
- Use an appliance thermometer to monitor fridge/freezer temps
- Follow “first in, first out” and cook oldest turkey first
- Sanitize any surfaces raw turkey touches
- Don’t thaw turkey at room temperature or in hot water
- Cook thawed turkey within 1-2 days
Following proper storage guidelines carefully will ensure you have a healthy, delicious turkey to enjoy without worries of foodborne illness. Discard any turkey that shows signs of spoilage. When in doubt, throw it out!
Examining The Sell-By & Use-By Dates
Checking the sell-by and use-by dates on turkey packaging is another simple way to gauge freshness.
- The sell-by date tells stores when to remove the turkey from shelves. Turkey should be purchased before this date for maximum freshness.
- The use-by or expiration date indicates the last day the manufacturer recommends consuming the turkey for food safety and quality.
So how long is turkey good for after the sell-by and use-by dates?
- Raw turkey can be kept 1-2 days past the sell-by date if refrigerated properly. Do not eat raw turkey past the use-by date.
- Cooked turkey can be kept for 3-4 days past the use-by date if refrigerated. Discard any cooked turkey that’s more than a week past the expiration date.
When in doubt, stick closely to the use-by recommendations. Eating turkey even a few days past the expiration risks foodborne illness. The sell-by dates allow some extra leeway, but quality and flavor will decline after purchase.
Handle Turkey Safely When Thawing
- Thaw turkey in the refrigerator allowing 24 hours per 4-5 pounds. Place it on the bottom shelf to prevent raw juices from dripping onto other food.
- To thaw faster, place the sealed turkey under cold running water. Rotate periodically and change the water every 30 minutes until thawed.
- Thaw turkey in the microwave only if cooking it immediately. Microwaving partly and then refrigerating will disrupt the cells and spoil faster.
- Never thaw turkey at room temperature or in hot water. This puts it in the danger zone for rapid bacteria growth.
How to Determine If a Thawed Turkey Has Gone Bad
FAQ
How to know if turkey is spoiled?
What does turkey look like when it starts to go bad?
How can you tell if a turkey is safe to eat?
How long does it take for turkey to spoil?
How do you know if ground turkey has gone bad?
Here are some signs that indicate your ground turkey has gone bad. Fresh raw ground turkey doesn’t give off any smell. The meat is likely spoiled if you unwrap the package and smell an unpleasant odor, like a sour scent. Raw turkey meat should be light pink or beige, depending on the type of meat and its fat content.
What are the health benefits of ground turkey?
Ground turkey has multiple benefits. It is a good source of minerals, and B vitamins, rich in proteins, low in fat and it is lower in calories than common turkey.
How do you know if turkey meat has gone bad?
If there are patches of mold, don’t eat the turkey. Mold has a fuzzy appearance; its color can go from white to yellow to bluish. Also, the color isn’t always a reliable indication that raw turkey meat has gone bad. You should check if there are other signs of the meat going bad, such as smell and texture. 3. Texture
How do you know if a Turkey is spoiled?
Fresh raw turkey has smooth, dry skin. If you notice any sliminess or stickiness, it’s a sign it’s spoiled. Slimy turkey usually smells foul as the bacteria activity increases and spoils the meat, so it’s easy to know the whole turkey is spoiled. In case you aren’t sure if you have a bad turkey, you can do a touch test.