ShelfLife
How long does turkey last?
Raw turkey, whole or in pieces, keeps only 1 to 2 days in the fridge. A whole frozen turkey keeps its quality for 12 months, pieces for 9. Cooked turkey keeps 3 to 4 days in the fridge.
| Food | Fridge | Freezer |
|---|---|---|
| Whole raw turkey | 1–2 daysfrom purchase | 12 monthsfrom purchase |
| Boneless turkey breast | 1–2 daysfrom purchase | 9 monthsfrom purchase |
| Turkey legs or thighs | 1–2 daysfrom purchase | 9 monthsfrom purchase |
| Cooked turkey | 3–4 days | 4–6 months |
Fridge at 4 °C (40 °F) or colder, freezer at −18 °C (0 °F). Freezer times are for best quality: food kept frozen stays safe, but slowly loses taste and texture. These times are USDA guidance, not a guarantee. When in doubt, throw it out.
How to tell if turkey has gone bad
- A sour, sulfur or ammonia smell.
- A slimy or sticky surface.
- Gray, green or dull color, or mold on cooked turkey.
- Raw turkey thawed more than 2 days ago, or leftovers more than 4 days old.
How to store turkey
- Keep a fresh turkey in its wrapping on the bottom shelf of the fridge, in a tray or roasting pan to catch the juices.
- Cook a fresh or thawed turkey within 1 to 2 days.
- Don't wash raw turkey: it spreads bacteria around the kitchen without making it safer.
- Carve leftover turkey off the bone and refrigerate it within 2 hours, in shallow containers. Store stuffing separately.
Can you freeze turkey?
Yes. A whole raw turkey keeps its best quality for 12 months frozen, pieces for 9 months, and cooked turkey for 4 to 6 months. Thaw a whole turkey in the fridge, allowing about 24 hours for every 2 kg (4 to 5 lb): a 7 kg (15 lb) bird needs 3 to 4 days. Once thawed, it keeps 1 to 2 more days in the fridge.
Questions
What temperature should turkey be cooked to?
74 °C (165 °F), measured in the thickest part of the breast, the innermost part of the thigh and the wing, and in the center of any stuffing.
How long do turkey leftovers last?
3 to 4 days in the fridge, and 4 to 6 months in the freezer. Reheat leftovers to 74 °C (165 °F).
Can you thaw a turkey on the counter?
No. The outside warms into the danger zone while the inside is still frozen. Thaw it in the fridge, in cold water changed every 30 minutes (about 30 minutes per 500 g / 1 lb), or in the microwave, and cook it right away after cold-water or microwave thawing.
Add the turkey to ShelfLife when it goes in the fridge to thaw, and get a reminder for the leftovers too.
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Storage times: USDA FoodKeeper (Food Safety and Inspection Service), public domain. Text by ShelfLife.