It’s helpful to know the duration of any festive occasion, whether it’s Thanksgiving or another one. The most frequent concerns I hear about shelf life are frozen raw turkey or leftovers in the refrigerator. I therefore inquired about the precise turkey storage times with the USDA, and this is what I learned.
The freshness of raw turkey meat can last up to two days in the refrigerator and a year in the freezer (four months if ground). After cooking, turkey can be stored for 3–4 days in the refrigerator or 4–6 months in the freezer. At room temperature, turkey only remains edible for two hours either raw or cooked.
In some African villages, people would keep cooked food out of the refrigerator for a few days or even a few weeks. However, they ensured that the food was heated or boiled at least once every day. Many of the participants in these practices remained healthy and lived into their 90s.
I still have some leftover turkey from the Price Chopper purchase I made 11 days ago, and it appears to be in good condition. This is not the usual processed stuff that you can get, is the turkey sold in this way preserved in any way to make it keep longer? anon63033 January 30, 2010.
Tricia is a longtime contributor to DelightedCooking and holds a literature degree from Sonoma State University. Despite having other interests like medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion, she is most passionate about reading and writing. Tricia, who resides in Northern California, is composing her debut book.
The same fundamental storage procedures should be followed if you discover that you have “leftover” leftovers, but keep in mind that the four-day countdown began when the meat was first cooked, not when it was reheated. Most food safety professionals advise against reheating leftover turkey more than twice.
It’s amazing how people managed to survive before the invention of the refrigerator. People should unwind, and if you’re concerned that your children will get sick, stop bottle-feeding them so they can build an immune system. Oh, and you should go inside and hide because the bird flu is coming before it kills you. anon6241 December 20, 2007
How Long Can Cooked Turkey Sit Out?
You should never let turkey sit out longer than 2 hours at room temperature. If in a warm area of 90° F or higher, make sure your turkey doesn’t sit out longer than 1 hour. Do not thaw a frozen turkey at room temperature longer than this. It’s best to thaw turkey in a bowl of cold water or the refrigerator.
Allowing your turkey to sit out longer than 2 hours puts it at risk from entering what’s known as the “danger zone,” which are temperatures between 40 and 140° F. Harmful bacteria can form in this temperature range. Leaving any meat out longer than 2 hours is practically begging for an awful case of preventable food poisoning.
Apple pie: If by chance you didn’t finish your pie on Thanksgiving Day, know that if you have kept it outside of the refrigerator, it is safe to eat up to two days after it was cooked. The item will remain fresh for four to five days if refrigerated. It can be preserved for one to two months by freezing.
Your vegetable-based sides, such as mashed potatoes, yams, and green bean casserole, are usually safe to consume for three to five days after being prepared if they are kept in the refrigerator. Their shelf life extends to 10-12 months in the freezer.
You’ll have a hard time finding someone who disagrees that the food is the best part of Thanksgiving.
The divisive side dish, cranberry sauce, is safe to consume up to 10–14 days after your meal if it is kept in the refrigerator and up to one–two months if it is kept in the freezer.
Susan Gonzalez is a digital producer and reporter for the E.W. Scripps national team. Follow her on Twitter @TheNewsan. Copyright 2018 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
FAQ
Can I eat cooked turkey after 5 days?
The USDA advises using cooked turkey within 3 to 4 days and storing it in the refrigerator at 40°F or below. Refrigeration slows but does not stop bacterial growth. Never leave leftovers at room temperature.
Can you eat turkey after 10 days?
Since cooked turkey is only suitable for consumption for 3–4 days following refrigeration, if it was kept in the refrigerator for 7 days, it would not be good. However, if you freeze your turkey, it can be kept fresh for a number of months.
Can you eat turkey after 7 days?
However, since leftovers don’t last forever, it’s crucial to follow good food safety procedures to stop the spread of foodborne illnesses. As a general guideline, the U. S. Turkey and other leftovers should be consumed or frozen within three to four days, according to the Department of Health & Human Services.
How long will Sliced turkey breast last in the refrigerator?
It’s best to use deli meat within three to five days of opening the package or buying it sliced from the deli counter. Packaged lunch meats come with a best before date. The meat should ideally be eaten before this date or frozen in its undamaged packaging.