How long does cooked turkey last in the fridge?
Cooked turkey keeps 3 to 4 days in the fridge and 4 to 6 months in the freezer. Leftover roast turkey, ground turkey and turkey in gravy, and how to reheat it.
By Zain Nazeer, founder and editor
Photo by Julia Fiander on Unsplash
Cooked turkey keeps 3 to 4 days in the fridge at 40°F (4°C) or colder. That applies to leftover roast turkey, cooked ground turkey, turkey meatballs and turkey chili. In the freezer, cooked turkey keeps its best quality for 4 to 6 months, or 1 to 2 months if it is covered in gravy or broth, according to the USDA FoodKeeper. UK guidance is stricter: eat cooked leftovers within 2 days.
How long does cooked turkey last? The short answer
- In the fridge: 3 to 4 days (UK guidance: 2 days).
- In the freezer: 4 to 6 months; 1 to 2 months in gravy or broth.
- Thawed in the fridge: eat within 3 to 4 days.
- At room temperature: no more than 2 hours, or 1 hour above 90°F (32°C).
- Turkey deli meat: 3 to 5 days once opened; see can you freeze deli meat.
How should you store leftover roast turkey?
Take the meat off the bones within 2 hours of cooking, cut it into smaller pieces and refrigerate it in shallow containers so it cools quickly. Keep stuffing separate from the meat. After a big holiday meal, freeze what you will not eat in the next three days straight away rather than on day four.
How do you freeze cooked turkey?
Freeze it in portions, in freezer bags with the air pressed out or in containers, with a little broth or gravy to stop slices drying out. Label with the date. See how to prevent freezer burn and freezer meal prep for beginners.
How do you reheat cooked turkey safely?
Reheat it until it is steaming hot all the way through, 165°F (74°C). Add a splash of broth and cover it, so it does not dry out. Thaw frozen turkey overnight in the fridge first, or reheat small portions straight from frozen. More in how to reheat meal prep.
How can you tell if cooked turkey has gone off?
A sour smell, a slimy surface or a grey-green colour mean throw it away. Do not taste it to check.
Which turkey dishes are best for meal prep?
Ground turkey is cheap and lean: baked turkey meatballs and big-batch turkey chili both freeze for 3 months. More ideas in ground turkey meal prep ideas. For chicken, see how long cooked chicken lasts.
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