How Long Can Raw Turkey Stay In The Fridge

How long will a turkey keep in the freezer? How long can a thawed turkey stay in the refrigerator? How long can y'all keep those leftovers? Keep reading to find out everything you demand to know about how to store turkey.

How to Store a Frozen Turkey

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Your freezer should be set to 0 degrees Fahrenheit (-17.7 degrees Celsius). At this low temperature, yous can safely store your frozen turkey. The Food and Drug Administration recommends storing your frozen turkey for no longer than one year. Pudgy claims that their turkeys can be stored, fully frozen, for upwards to two years.

After too much time has passed, the quality of the turkey can deteriorate in the freezer. It can get freezer burned, start to dry out, or absorb other flavors from the freezer.

When you find whole turkeys on sale, you'll definitely desire to stock up for the holidays, or catch i to cook later in the yr when you're craving turkey. You can fifty-fifty programme on saving 1 until side by side year. (If you have that much space in your freezer.)

Become more information about keeping foods in your freezer in this post.

How to Shop a Fresh or Thawed Turkey

Once your turkey is thawed, you still demand a place to store it until you're prepare to cook it! A thawed turkey, or a turkey purchased fresh (not frozen) needs to be stored in your fridge. Your fridge should be fix to 40 degrees F (4.4 degrees C) or below. The best temperature for your refrigerator is 34-38 degrees F (ane-3 degrees C). If you don't accept space in your refrigerator, yous can go on the turkey in a cooler with water ice packs. Exist sure to change out the ice packs regularly to go on the turkey cool enough. It's a good idea to stash a thermometer inside the cooler, and then y'all can monitor the temperature. Consider a probe thermometer with an warning similar this one – the thermometer goes inside the cooler, and the monitor goes outside. You can set the alarm to go off if the temperature goes in a higher place forty degrees F!

Y'all can keep a thawed, uncooked turkey in the fridge for i to ii days before cooking. If you purchase a fresh (non frozen) turkey, exist sure to use it before the appointment on the label.

If yous're using a cooler for temporary turkey storage, consider keeping this libation separate for raw poultry and meat just. Bacteria constitute on raw poultry and meat could cause food poisoning. Having one cooler that is only used for raw poultry and meat is an easy way to practice nutrient safety in your kitchen. (Bank check out this post for more information on coolers.)

How to Store Turkey Leftovers

The best function of cooking a turkey is all the leftovers! Leftovers should exist refrigerated inside 2 hours of cooking. Store them tightly wrapped, in your 34-38 degrees F refrigerator. Leftovers should be used up in 3 days. If yous're not certain that you'll stop your leftovers before then, it'due south a good idea to freeze them for subsequently. Leftover cooked turkey can be stored in the freezer for 2-half dozen months. Be sure to apply skilful quality zip-top freezer bags, and label them with the date and contents.

Follow these guidelines to store your turkey and keep your repast fresh, flavorful, and safe!