You may feel tempted to freeze leftovers if you cooked a turkey for the holidays and have a lot of food left over. Alternatively, you might be wondering if you can freeze the uncooked turkey if your plans changed and you never got around to cooking it. Learn all about the ins and outs of freezing turkey.
The answer to whether you can refreeze a smoked turkey depends on a few factors, including how the turkey was originally thawed and how long it has been sitting out at room temperature.
Here’s a breakdown of the general guidelines for refreezing a smoked turkey:
- If the turkey was thawed in the refrigerator: You can safely refreeze the turkey as long as it has been in the refrigerator for no more than three days.
- If the turkey was thawed in cold water: You can safely refreeze the turkey as long as it has been in cold water for no more than two hours.
- If the turkey was thawed at room temperature: You should not refreeze the turkey.
Here are some additional things to keep in mind when refreezing a smoked turkey:
- Wrap the turkey tightly: Make sure the turkey is wrapped tightly in freezer-safe packaging to prevent freezer burn.
- Label the turkey: Label the turkey with the date it was originally frozen and the date it was refrozen.
- Use the turkey within a reasonable amount of time: Even though you can safely refreeze a smoked turkey, it’s best to use it within a few months of refreezing.
Here are some specific examples of when you can and cannot refreeze a smoked turkey:
- You can refreeze a smoked turkey that was thawed in the refrigerator for two days.
- You can refreeze a smoked turkey that was thawed in cold water for one hour.
- You cannot refreeze a smoked turkey that was thawed at room temperature for four hours.
If you’re unsure whether or not you can refreeze a smoked turkey, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and throw it away.
Here are some additional resources that you may find helpful:
- The Spruce Eats: How to Safely Refreeze a Turkey
- USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service: Safe Food Handling and Preparation
Freezer-Safe Packaging
It is preferable to portion the turkey into meals-size portions before freezing it, even though you can certainly wrap the entire bird, bones and all. This will make it easier to use. Instead of having to thaw out the whole turkey, youll be able to grab just what you need. This technique will also save a lot of space in your freezer.
Be sure to wrap your turkey thoroughly so it doesnt become freezer-burned prematurely. Package it in a freezer bag or freezer paper to keep it sufficiently protected.
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When to Refreeze
Cooked or uncooked turkey can safely be refrozen, as long as you refreeze it within three days of thawing. You should only refreeze turkey if its been handled properly at every step along the way. According to the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service, that means it needs to have been thawed in the refrigerator and it cant have been left out at room temperature for more than two hours at any time. Turkey that has been thawed on the counter or left out for long periods shouldnt be refrozen. In fact, it shouldnt be eaten at all. Its better to waste food than to risk your health by eating something that may no longer be safe to eat.
Note that the turkey may be slightly drier when do finally defrost and cook it. Each time you heat it up, you lose a little more moisture. It’s going to taste just as good as the first time if you just add some gravy or your preferred condiment.
How To Smoke a Frozen Turkey For Thanksgiving, No Thaw?
FAQ
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