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, per USDA FoodKeeper, which gives the same times for all cooked poultry.
Updated
| Food | Fridge | Freezer |
|---|---|---|
| Cooked turkey and other poultry dishes | 3 to 4 days | 4 to 6 months |
Can you freeze cooked turkey?
Yes. Cooked turkey keeps 4 to 6 months in the freezer, per USDA FoodKeeper. Freezer times are for best quality: food kept at 0°F stays safe longer, but it dries out and loses flavor. Freeze the meat in portions. A little broth or gravy in the bag keeps it from drying out.
How to store cooked turkey
Do not put the whole bird in the fridge. USDA says to cut it into smaller pieces first: slice the breast meat, and the legs and wings can stay whole. Get it into the fridge within 2 hours of taking it out of the oven.
How long can cooked turkey sit out?
No more than 2 hours at room temperature, or 1 hour when it is above 90°F, such as at a summer picnic. After that, USDA says to throw it out.
How long are Thanksgiving leftovers good for?
Most cooked Thanksgiving dishes keep 3 to 4 days in the fridge. If you cook on Thursday, eat the leftovers or freeze them by Monday.
How to tell if cooked turkey has gone bad
Go by the days, not by the smell. The germs that cause food poisoning usually do not change how food looks, smells or tastes, so food past its time can seem fine and still make you sick. Mold, a sour smell or a slimy feel mean it has spoiled, but food without them is not safe just because it seems fine. Never taste food to check it. When in doubt, throw it out.
How to reheat cooked turkey
Heat leftovers until the middle reaches 165°F on a food thermometer, and bring soups, sauces and gravy to a rolling boil. Cover the food while it heats so it stays moist and heats all the way through. In a microwave, stir or turn it halfway. You can reheat frozen leftovers without thawing them first. It takes longer.
Times from USDA FoodKeeper, the storage data from USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service: data version 128, last changed September 6, 2018, still the current version. Public domain. The handling rules are from USDA's Leftovers and Food Safety.