10 Delicious Leftover Turkey Recipes to Make Until Your Fridge Is Empty | Livestrong.com (2024)

FAQs

Can I eat leftover turkey after 7 days? ›

USDA recommends using cooked turkey within 3 to 4 days, kept refrigerated (40°F or less). Refrigeration slows but does not stop bacterial growth. Turkey can be frozen for 3 to 4 months. Although safe indefinitely, frozen leftovers can lose moisture and flavor when stored for longer times in the freezer.

How long do the turkey and trimmings stay safe in the refrigerator or freezer? The answer is simple: leftovers can be kept in the refrigerator for three to four days. This means you have until the Monday after Thanksgiving to eat all those delicious leftovers or place them in the freezer to enjoy later.

Use freezer-safe bags or containers and "limit air space in the package to prevent freezer burn," she says. Another option is to wrap the turkey in aluminum foil, followed by plastic wrap. "The aluminum foil helps prevent freezer burn and the plastic wrap helps retain moisture," explains Baker.

If turkey, stuffing, or gravy is left out at room temperature (40 to 140°F) for over 2 hours it may no longer be safe to eat. Bacteria prospers at this temperature, increasing the risk of foodborne illness. When stored properly in a refrigerator, turkey leftovers generally stay good for 3 to 4 days.

If properly stored, raw turkey can last in the fridge for 1–2 days, while cold cuts last up to 5 days. How long does cooked turkey last in the fridge? If you have leftovers that include cooked turkey, you can expect those to last in the refrigerator for 3–4 days.

Frozen Turkey

Turkeys can be kept in the freezer indefinitely. However, cook turkeys within 1 year for the best quality.

Leftovers can be kept for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. After that, the risk of food poisoning goes up. If you don't think you'll be able to eat leftovers within four days, freeze them right away. Frozen leftovers will stay safe for a long time.

If your turkey has been properly handled, you can refrigerate and eat it for up to four days. If you are planning to freeze it, it's best to freeze it within one day of cooking for optimal texture and taste. However, leftover turkey can be frozen after three days and it will be fine.

Buy a fresh turkey one to two days before the day you plan to cook. If there is a 'best-by' or 'use by' date on the manufacturer's label, then you can keep fresh poultry, unopened, in the refrigerator until that date.

For crisper skin, unwrap the turkey the day before roasting and leave it uncovered in the refrigerator overnight.

Why does leftover turkey taste better? ›

What you're doing is allowing the cooking to continue, but what you're really doing is allowing the protein, the collagen, the various juices to sort of cool down and solidify and trap the flavor. As you wait, the aromas diffuse through this big bird and even the inside tastes better.

For crisper skin, brine a couple days in advance, and let your turkey air-dry at least overnight and up to two nights, uncovered, in the refrigerator on a rack set in a rimmed baking sheet.

multiply in the “danger zone” between 40 -140°. steps to food safety - cook, clean, chill and separate your turkey to avoid cross-contamination in your kitchen which can make people sick. be sure to cook a stuffed or unstuffed turkey to a minimum to an internal temperature of 165°.

There are many pathogens associated with turkey, including clostridium perfringens, campylobacter, and salmonella. These can cause diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps, and can last a few hours or a few days. They can even cause fatalities.

Check if your turkey has a bad sour-smelling odor to know if it's spoiled. Toss out your ground turkey if it has a slimy texture. Get rid of ground turkey if it darkens or dulls to a dark gray color, a sure sign it's gone bad.

It's generally recommended to consume turkey within 1-2 days after the expiration date if it has been stored properly in the refrigerator. However, it's important to use your senses to determine if the turkey is still safe to eat, including checking for any unusual odors, discoloration, or sliminess.

Storing a Fresh Turkey

If no best-before date is present, Health Canada recommends using a fresh whole turkey stored in the refrigerator within 2-3 days of purchase or ask at the place of purchase.

Information. 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.

According to foodsafety.gov, a website of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the following foods are safe in the fridge: Turkey: 3-4 days. Eat turkey within three to four days of cooking. If you use the turkey in a new dish like a soup or casserole, only consume within those initial four days.