How Long After Thawing a Turkey Breast Is It Good?

When you hear the word thanksgiving, you’ll probably think of turkey. Turkey is a classic meal that usually brings the family together. And for it to be cooked right, it needed to be thawed right. So, how long can thawed turkey stay in the refrigerator?.

The short answer from science is, “If a turkey was thawed using a refrigerator, you could keep it there for one to two days.” ”.

In order to prevent the growth of dangerous bacteria, your thawed turkey cannot be frozen and must be cooked right away.

Let the turkey defrost naturally, isn’t that right? We’ve all thought, “That’s what my gram did, so why can’t I?”

Well, there’s so much more to it than that. While a fully frozen turkey is safe, bacteria starts to grow as soon as it thaws.

The key to success is preparation. Before you bring the turkey home from the store, make sure you have everything you need and have made room in the refrigerator. Make sure you have enough room in the refrigerator to fit the turkey after it has been cleaned out so that it doesn’t leak when it defrosts.

This will allow you to store it in your refrigerator immediately. It is not advisable to store your frozen turkey for an extended period of time in an area with unsuitable temperatures.

Bacteria will start to grow on frozen poultry or any meat that is left out on a table for longer than two hours. Though the center of the package is still cold, the outer part may be within the “Danger Zone. ” Temperatures between 40 and 140°F allow bacteria to multiply at a faster rate.

Pro tip: If you are bringing home a fresh turkey, make sure you bring a cooler with you to the store on the day you plan to purchase so you can keep the bird safe.

A thawed turkey breast can be safely stored in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 days. This is true whether the turkey was thawed in the refrigerator, in cold water, or in the microwave After 2 days, the turkey breast is at risk of developing harmful bacteria that can cause food poisoning.

Here’s a breakdown of how long a thawed turkey breast can safely be stored in the refrigerator, depending on the thawing method:

Thawing Method | Safe Storage Time in Refrigerator

It’s important to note that these are just general guidelines. The actual safe storage time for a thawed turkey breast may vary depending on factors such as the initial quality of the turkey, the temperature of the refrigerator and how the turkey was handled during thawing.

If you’re unsure whether a thawed turkey breast is still safe to eat, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and throw it out.

Tips for Storing a Thawed Turkey Breast

Here are some tips for storing a thawed turkey breast in the refrigerator:

Wrap the turkey breast tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. This will help to prevent the turkey from drying out and absorbing odors from other foods in the refrigerator.
Place the turkey breast on a plate or in a container to catch any drips. This will help to keep your refrigerator clean.
Store the turkey breast on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator. This is the coldest part of the refrigerator, which will help to keep the turkey breast cold and prevent bacteria from growing.

How to Tell if a Thawed Turkey Breast Is Spoiled

If you’re not sure whether a thawed turkey breast is still safe to eat, there are a few things you can look for:

Smell: If the turkey breast has a sour or off odor, it’s probably spoiled.
Color: If the turkey breast is discolored, it’s probably spoiled.
Texture: If the turkey breast is slimy or sticky, it’s probably spoiled.

If you see any of these signs, it’s best to throw the turkey breast away.

A thawed turkey breast can be safely stored in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 days. After that, it’s at risk of developing harmful bacteria that can cause food poisoning. If you’re unsure whether a thawed turkey breast is still safe to eat, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and throw it out.

Three Ways to Safely Thaw Food

The three techniques listed below are your best chances of defrosting your turkey in time for Thanksgiving, regardless of whether you want to stuff it and perform a basic seasoning or use a basic brine, like we suggested on our Turkey Cheat Sheet. Reference our Thanksgiving Planner which has an entire section dedicated to defrosting your bird.

⚠️ AVOID Thawing on the Counter

Some people thaw their fish, meat, or poultry by leaving it on the counter.

You should avoid this as much as possible because raw meats should not be placed at room temperature for more than four hours.

Consider your turkey—or any other meat—to be unsafe and discard it if you leave it out for longer than four hours.

How do you thaw a frozen turkey breast quickly?

FAQ

How long can I keep a thawed turkey breast in the refrigerator?

A thawed turkey may be kept in the refrigerator (40 degrees F or below) up to 4 days before cooking. Frozen Whole Turkeys and Frozen Whole Turkey Breasts need to be thawed before cooking. Thaw Fully Cooked Baked and Smoked Turkeys via the refrigerator method.

How long after defrosting turkey should it be cooked?

A thawed turkey can remain in the refrigerator for 1 or 2 days before cooking. Foods thawed in the refrigerator can be refrozen without cooking but there may be some loss of quality.

Can you thaw a turkey in the fridge for 7 days?

In a refrigerator set to 40 degrees F or below, it generally takes one day for every 4 pounds to thaw a fully frozen turkey. Once thawed, your turkey will keep in the fridge for up to two days.

Can you thaw a turkey breast too early?

Once thawed, the turkey is safe for another two days, so you can start thawing it six days before thanksgiving (the Friday before Thanksgiving). The other two methods (cold water and microwave) must be done immediately before you start cooking the turkey, so you’ll have to wait until Thanksgiving morning.