Most of us look forward to taking the turkey out of the oven to enjoy its delicious aromas and crispy golden-brown skin after all of the work and time that goes into cooking one. And everyone wants to be sure to save the leftovers (there always are some) for turkey soup. How can you be sure your leftovers are safe?.
In the danger zone, which is between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit, a turkey can be left outside for no more than two hours. Turkey should only be left out for an hour at a time if the room temperature is higher than ninety degrees. After that, it needs to be stored in the freezer or refrigerator to stop dangerous bacteria from growing on the surface.
Continue reading to find out about food safety and how to store your delectable leftovers before letting your cooked turkey sit out in the temperature danger zone for an extended period of time.
Oops, you left your raw ground turkey out on the counter for 6 hours! Now you’re wondering if it’s still safe to eat. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
The short answer is no, it’s not safe to eat raw ground turkey that’s been sitting out at room temperature for 6 hours.
Here’s why:
- Bacteria love to grow in the “danger zone” between 40°F and 140°F. This is the perfect temperature for bacteria to multiply rapidly, and raw ground turkey is a prime breeding ground for them.
- After just 2 hours at room temperature, the number of bacteria on raw ground turkey can double. By 6 hours, the number of bacteria can be in the millions, making it unsafe to eat.
- Eating food with high levels of bacteria can cause food poisoning. Symptoms of food poisoning can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever.
So what should you do if you’ve accidentally left your raw ground turkey out for 6 hours?
- The safest option is to throw it away. It’s better to be safe than sorry, and food poisoning is no fun.
- If you’re really desperate, you can try to salvage it by cooking it immediately. However, even if you cook it thoroughly, there’s still a chance that you could get sick.
- If you do decide to cook it, make sure you cook it to an internal temperature of 165°F. This will kill any bacteria that may be present.
Here are some additional tips for safe food handling:
- Always thaw raw ground turkey in the refrigerator, under cold running water, or in the microwave. Never thaw it at room temperature.
- Cook raw ground turkey to an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Refrigerate or freeze raw ground turkey within 2 hours of purchasing it.
- Don’t let raw ground turkey sit out at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before and after handling raw ground turkey.
- Clean all surfaces that come into contact with raw ground turkey with hot, soapy water.
By following these tips, you can help prevent food poisoning and keep yourself and your family safe.
Additional Resources:
- USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/ground-turkey-and-food-safety
- Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/food-and-nutrition/expert-answers/food-poisoning/faq-20058538
Remember, when in doubt, throw it out! It’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to food safety.
Important Tips for Handling Cooked Turkey Safely
While it’s crucial to know how long cooked turkey can be kept on your countertop, there’s more to consider when it comes to food safety and handling leftovers after a meal. How you handle your turkey and what you use to prepare it for storage is critical.
Should I Put the Whole Turkey in the Fridge?
Turkey should be stored in smaller pieces, not whole. Do not try to put the entire carcass into the fridge. It takes a long time to cool down, and it is challenging to seal into a single container.
Take all the meat off the bones soon after eating and put it in an airtight container. You should store the turkey in smaller portions as it will be cooler faster and reheat faster. Bring the turkey leftovers back up to 165 degrees Fahrenheit before you eat it out of the fridge.
How Long Can Meat Sit Out? Cured, Raw, Frozen, Cooked & More
How long does cooked ground turkey last?
Cooked ground turkey will usually stay good for 3 to 4 days in the fridge and 4 months in the freezer. How to tell if raw ground turkey is bad?
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 long does raw ground turkey last after the sell-by date?
After ground turkey is purchased, it may be refrigerated for 1 to 2 days – the “sell-by” date on the package may expire during that storage period, but the ground turkey will remain safe to use after the sell by date if it has been properly stored.
Does raw ground turkey go bad?
The two factors which cause raw ground turkey to go bad are warm temperatures and exposure to air. Raw ground turkey should not be left out at room temperature unless you are intending to cook with it within one hour or less. To preserve your ground turkey, it should be stored in either the refrigerator or freezer.