FAQs
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.
Can you eat leftover turkey after 5 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.
Can you eat 7 day old turkey? ›
Snyder points to the USDA FoodKeeper app for best guidance: The tool notes that refrigerated, cooked turkey should be eaten within 4 days. Eat frozen turkey leftovers within 6 months for premier quality.
How long can you eat turkey in soup after Thanksgiving? ›
Turkey: 3-4 days.
If you use the turkey in a new dish like a soup or casserole, only consume within those initial four days. Another option is freezing the cooked turkey. Turkey can last up to four more months if frozen. However, keep that four-day time frame in mind.
Can you eat stuffing after 5 days? ›
If stuffing is prepared ahead of time, it must be either frozen or cooked immediately. To use cooked stuffing later, cool in shallow containers and refrigerate it within 2 hours. Use it within 3 to 4 days.
Can a turkey be in the fridge for 6 days? ›
Storing Leftover Turkey
Use refrigerated turkey and stuffing within 3 to 4 days. Use gravy within 1 to 2 days. If freezing, use leftovers within 2 to 6 months for best quality.
How long can a butterball turkey stay in the refrigerator? ›
A thawed turkey may be kept in the refrigerator (40 degrees F or below) up to 4 days before cooking. Frozen Whole Turkeys and Frozen Whole Turkey Breasts need to be thawed before cooking. Thaw Fully Cooked Baked and Smoked Turkeys via the refrigerator method.
Can you eat 6 day old ground turkey? ›
According to the USDA's FoodKeeper App, uncooked ground turkey lasts in the fridge for one to two days from the date of purchase.
Is a 3 year old frozen turkey still good? ›
Turkey can be safely stored in the freezer indefinitely, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). However, the flavor and texture tend to decline the longer it sits in the freezer.
Can I freeze cooked turkey after 3 days? ›
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.
Those popular spiral-cut hams or any store-wrapped cooked ham will last three to four days in the fridge. Cooked country hams will last a bit longer, up to a week. Do: Wrap it up tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil before refrigerating. If you choose to freeze, it will be good for one to two months.
Can you make soup with a 5 day old turkey? ›
Cooked turkey should be refrigerated within two hours after being cooked . Stuffing should be removed and stored separately in air tight containers . Assuming your soup would include the carcass you want to make your soup within three days . And the soup itself has a life of three to four days in the fridge.
How to store leftover turkey in the fridge? ›
Leftovers should be stored within two hours of cooking. Divide leftovers into smaller portions and refrigerate or freeze them in covered shallow containers so they cool quickly. A large container or whole turkey will take too long to cool down to a safe temperature, which gives bacteria a chance to multiply.
When should you throw away Thanksgiving leftovers? ›
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. If you store leftovers in the freezer, they will be of best quality within 2-6 months.
Can you eat cooked turkey after 5 days? ›
Cooked turkey and other leftovers can be kept in the fridge safely for about three to four days, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and FoodSafety.gov say. But after that time, "the risk of food poisoning goes up," the Mayo Clinic notes, pointing to the growth of bacteria in refrigerated leftovers.
Can I eat 6 day old leftovers? ›
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.
Can you use a 5 day old turkey in soup? ›
Leftover turkey is good for 3-4 days after it has been cooked. Any time after that becomes a food safety issue.
Is raw ground turkey good after 5 days? ›
Ground turkey is an excellent lean protein choice for your meals, but it has a very short shelf life of one to two days. It will also go bad quickly if it isn't stored properly. If the meat won't be used within a day or two, store it in the freezer and enjoy it within three to four months.
Can you eat cooked turkey after 5 days mumsnet? ›
The leftover turkey can stay wrapped in the fridge for around 4-5 days, but keep checking to make sure it hasn't gone bad because people's fridge temps and hygiene is different.
Can you eat cooked turkey after 5 days in the UK? ›
The NHS has previously advised that turkey stored in the fridge be eaten within two days. According to the FSA, leftover turkey that's been defrosted should be eaten within 24 hours. Take a look at these rules, shared by the FSA to ensure you stay safe.