Discover the fundamentals of storing turkey for later use by reading on. If you’re hoping to prolong the life of some turkey you’ve stocked up on, you may be wondering how long does turkey last in the refrigerator and how long does turkey last in the freezer.
Have you ever wondered how long that leftover turkey will last in your fridge? Or maybe you’re curious about the best way to store a whole turkey you just bought? Well, fret no more! This guide will answer all your questions about storing turkey, whether it’s cooked or raw, in the fridge or freezer.
Storing Turkey in the Fridge: Keeping it Fresh
Raw Turkey:
- Wrapped in Glad® Press’n Seal® and stored in an airtight bag like Glad® FLEX’N SEAL™ Food Storage Quart Bags: This method will keep your raw turkey fresh for 1-2 days in the fridge.
- Sliced cold cuts: Store in a food storage bag, squeezing out any extra air before sealing. These will last for up to 5 days in the fridge.
Cooked Turkey:
- Leftovers: Leftovers that include cooked turkey can be stored in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Important Tips:
- Wash your hands: Always wash your hands thoroughly before and after handling turkey, especially raw turkey.
- Keep it airtight: Use airtight containers or bags to prevent the turkey from drying out or absorbing other flavors in the fridge.
- Label and date: Label and date your turkey so you know how long it’s been in the fridge.
Freezing Turkey: Long-Term Storage Solution
Raw Turkey:
- Individual pieces: Wrap each piece of raw turkey in Glad® Press’n Seal® and then place them in an airtight bag like Glad® FLEX’N SEAL™ Freezer Quart Bags. Squeeze out any extra air before sealing. This will keep your raw turkey pieces fresh in the freezer for up to 9 months.
- Whole turkey: Wrap your whole turkey in several layers of Glad® Cling’n Seal™ or Glad® Press’n Seal®. A whole raw turkey can be stored in the freezer for up to a year.
Cooked Turkey:
- Pieces: Wrap individual pieces of cooked turkey in Glad® Press’n Seal® and then place them in an airtight bag like Glad® FLEX’N SEAL™ Freezer Quart Bags. Squeeze out any extra air before sealing. Cooked turkey pieces will last in the freezer for 4-6 months.
Important Tips:
- Deepest part of the freezer: Store your frozen turkey in the deepest part of the freezer for optimal preservation.
- Label and date: Label and date your frozen turkey so you know how long it’s been in the freezer.
Thawing Frozen Turkey: Do it Safely
Never thaw frozen turkey:
- On the counter: This can lead to bacterial growth, especially in warmer temperatures.
- In hot water: This can cook the outside of the turkey while the inside remains frozen.
- At room temperature for more than 2 hours: This increases the risk of bacteria multiplying.
Safe thawing methods:
- Refrigerator: This is the safest and most recommended method. Move the frozen turkey from the freezer to the refrigerator and let it thaw gradually. Depending on the size of the turkey, this can take a full day.
- Cold water: Submerge the frozen turkey in an airtight bag (like Glad® FLEX’N SEAL™ Food Storage Quart Bags) in cold tap water. Change the water every 30 minutes to ensure continuous thawing.
- Microwave: This method should only be used if you plan to cook the turkey immediately after thawing. Consult your microwave’s manual for specific instructions.
Important Tips:
- Thawed turkey in the refrigerator: Once thawed in the refrigerator, the defrosted turkey can last for 1-2 days before it needs to be cooked or refrozen.
- Cook immediately: If you thaw the turkey using the cold water or microwave method, cook it immediately after thawing to prevent bacterial growth.
How Long to Keep Frozen Turkey in the Fridge?
Once your frozen turkey is thawed in the refrigerator, it can be safely stored there for 1-2 days before cooking or refreezing. Remember, it’s always best to cook the turkey as soon as possible after thawing to ensure the best quality and food safety.
Additional Resources:
- Glad® food storage tips: Learn more about how to store meat and how long it can last in the fridge or freezer.
- USDA website: For safe meat preparation guidelines, refer to the USDA website.
Storing turkey properly is essential for maintaining its freshness and preventing foodborne illness. By following the tips and guidelines in this guide, you can ensure that your turkey stays safe and delicious, whether you’re storing it in the fridge or freezer. Remember to always handle turkey with care, wash your hands thoroughly, and cook it to the proper internal temperature before eating.
Freezing Cooked Turkey and Raw Turkey
If you plan to freeze cooked turkey rather than refrigerate it if you have enough leftovers for more than a few days. Similarly, this applies if you have leftover raw turkey that you intend to cook later. Fortunately, freezing turkey is a very easy process that works for both cooked and raw turkey.
Using Glad® Press’n Seal®, create an airtight seal around each individual turkey piece. Next, place the turkey pieces inside an airtight bag, like Glad® FLEXN SEALTM Freezer Quart Bags, being careful to press out any excess air before sealing. Simply wrap your turkey in multiple layers of Glad® Press’n Seal® or Glad® Clingn SealTM if you’re freezing it whole. In both cases, you’ll want to store the turkey in the deepest part of the freezer. Whole raw turkeys can be frozen for up to a year, but raw turkey pieces can be stored in the freezer for up to nine months. Cooked turkey pieces last in the freezer for 4–6 months.
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The USDA states that you should never thaw frozen turkey on the counter, in hot water, or for longer than two hours at room temperature.
Placing the frozen package from the freezer onto a plate and placing it in the refrigerator is the best method for gradually thawing turkey, whether it is whole or in pieces. Depending on the size of what you’re thawing, this method can take a full day. Before it needs to be cooked or refrozen, a raw frozen turkey can be defrosted in the fridge and kept there for one to two days.
If you’re in a hurry to thaw your turkey, there’s a faster method you can use. To ensure the turkey continues to thaw, place it in an airtight bag (such as Glad® FLEXN SEALTM Food Storage Quart Bags) and immerse it in cold tap water, changing the water every 30 minutes. Frozen turkey pieces can also be thawed in the microwave, but if you choose to do so, make sure to cook it right away to stop bacteria from growing.
With our meat storing tips, you can find out more about how to store meat and how long it can last in the refrigerator or freezer.
For safe meat preparation, reference the USDA website.
Storing Turkey in the Fridge
If you’re not sure how to store turkey in the refrigerator, don’t worry—it’s really easy! You can wrap raw turkey pieces in Glad® Press’n Seal® and then store them in an airtight bag like Glad® FLEXN SEALTM Food Storage Quart Bags. Cold cut slices can be kept in a food storage bag; just make sure to squeeze out any excess air before sealing it. Be sure to wash your hands before and after handling turkey, especially if it’s raw.
While cold cuts can keep for up to five days in the refrigerator, raw turkey can only be kept there for 1-2 days. What is the shelf life of cooked turkey in the refrigerator? Leftover cooked turkey will typically keep for three to four days.
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How long can you keep a thawed turkey in the refrigerator before cooking?
FAQ
Can I keep a frozen turkey in the refrigerator for 10 days?
Is it OK to thaw turkey in the fridge for 5 days?
Can I keep a fresh turkey in the fridge for a week?
What if I thawed my turkey too soon?
How long can you keep a frozen turkey in the fridge?
You want to allow 1 day in the fridge for every 4 pounds of turkey, so refrigerate a 12-pound bird for 3 days, a 20-pound bird for 5 days, and so on. Check out our turkey defrosting time calculator below for more estimates: Here’s our no-mess method for thawing a frozen-solid turkey in the refrigerator:
How long can a thawed Turkey stay in the refrigerator?
How long can a thawed turkey remain in the refrigerator after thawing? It takes approximately 24 hours for every four to five pounds of whole turkey to thaw in the refrigerator. Once the turkey is thawed, you can keep it in the refrigerator for one to two additional days before cooking.
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.
How long does it take to thaw a Turkey?
It takes approximately 24 hours for every four to five pounds of whole turkey to thaw in the refrigerator. Once the turkey is thawed, you can keep it in the refrigerator for one to two additional days before cooking. For more information about thawing a turkey, go to Turkey Basics: Safe Thawing.