How to thaw a turkey safely, store it, and use the leftovers
Quick answer
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Fridge
Keeps for 1-2 days
Put turkey in a refrigerator that maintains 40°F (4°C) or below as soon as you get home.
Watch out Never leave turkey out of the refrigerator for more than 2 hours, or 1 hour above 90°F (32°C).
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Freezer
Keeps for up to 12 months
Freeze turkey at 0°F (-18°C) or below, and use a whole turkey within 12 months, parts within 9 months, and ground turkey within 3 to 4 months.
Watch out Freezer times are for best quality, and turkey that stays frozen continuously is safe indefinitely.
Thaw a turkey in the refrigerator for about 1 day for every 4 to 5 pounds, so a 20-pound turkey needs about 4 to 5 days. In cold water, change the water every 30 minutes and cook the turkey right after it thaws. Fresh turkey keeps 1 to 2 days in the refrigerator, and cooked turkey keeps 3 to 4 days. Never thaw a turkey on the counter.
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A turkey thaws in the refrigerator at about 1 day for every 4 to 5 pounds, so a 20-pound turkey needs about 4 to 5 days. The USDA recommends three ways to thaw a turkey, and the counter isn’t one of them.
Fresh turkey keeps only 1 to 2 days in the refrigerator, and cooked turkey keeps 3 to 4 days. This guide covers thawing, storage times, leftovers, and the signs that turkey has gone bad.
How long does it take to thaw a turkey?
A turkey takes about 1 day for every 4 to 5 pounds to thaw in the refrigerator. The USDA recommends three methods, which are the refrigerator, cold water, and the microwave. Never defrost turkey on the counter.
| Method | What to do |
|---|---|
| Refrigerator | Allow about 1 day for every 4 to 5 pounds |
| Cold water | Keep it in its airtight packaging or a leak-proof bag, submerge it, change the water every 30 minutes, and cook it immediately after it thaws |
| Microwave | Cook it immediately after it thaws |
How long to defrost a 20-pound turkey in the fridge
A 20-pound turkey needs about 4 to 5 days to defrost in the refrigerator. That follows the rule of about 1 day for every 4 to 5 pounds.
When to take a turkey out of the freezer
Take the turkey out of the freezer and put it in the refrigerator about 1 day for every 4 to 5 pounds before you plan to cook it. For a 20-pound turkey, that’s 4 to 5 days ahead.
Turkey thawing chart
A turkey takes 1 to 6 days to thaw in the refrigerator, depending on its weight. In cold water, it takes 2 to 12 hours.
The table below shows both times by weight, from the USDA’s Let’s Talk Turkey consumer guide. The refrigerator times follow about 24 hours for every 4 to 5 pounds, and the cold water times follow about 30 minutes per pound.
Keep the turkey in its original wrapper on a tray or in a pan to catch juices while it thaws in the refrigerator. Once thawed, a turkey can stay in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 days. A turkey thawed properly in the refrigerator can be refrozen if necessary.
| Turkey weight | Refrigerator | Cold water |
|---|---|---|
| 4 to 12 pounds | 1 to 3 days | 2 to 6 hours |
| 12 to 16 pounds | 3 to 4 days | 6 to 8 hours |
| 16 to 20 pounds | 4 to 5 days | 8 to 10 hours |
| 20 to 24 pounds | 5 to 6 days | 10 to 12 hours |
How to thaw a turkey safely
Thaw a turkey in the refrigerator, in cold water, or in the microwave, and never on the counter. The USDA says it’s best to plan ahead for slow, safe thawing in the refrigerator, as its Turkey from Farm to Table guide explains.
Thaw a turkey in the refrigerator
Allow about 1 day for every 4 to 5 pounds when you thaw a turkey in the refrigerator. Keep the refrigerator at 40°F (4°C) or below.
Thaw a turkey in cold water
To thaw a turkey in cold water, submerge the bird or cut-up parts and change the water every 30 minutes so it stays cold. Keep the turkey in its airtight packaging or a leak-proof bag, and cook it immediately after it thaws.
Thaw a turkey in the microwave
Cook a turkey immediately after thawing it in the microwave. Some areas may become warm and begin to cook, and holding partially cooked food isn’t recommended because any bacteria present wouldn’t have been destroyed.
How to thaw a turkey quickly
To thaw a turkey quickly, use cold water, which takes about 30 minutes per pound. A turkey of 16 to 20 pounds thaws in 8 to 10 hours that way, compared with 4 to 5 days in the refrigerator.
Cook the turkey immediately after it thaws in cold water, and don’t refreeze it.
You can also thaw a turkey in the microwave if it fits. Check the owner’s manual for the size of turkey that fits, the minutes per pound, and the power level. Remove all outside wrapping, use a microwave-safe dish, and cook the turkey immediately. Don’t refreeze or refrigerate it after microwave thawing.
How long does turkey last?
Fresh turkey lasts 1 to 2 days in the refrigerator, and cooked turkey lasts 3 to 4 days. The table shows the USDA’s storage times for each kind of turkey.
| Turkey | Fridge | Freezer |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh whole turkey | 1 to 2 days | 12 months |
| Fresh turkey parts | 1 to 2 days | 9 months |
| Ground turkey and giblets | 1 to 2 days | 3 to 4 months |
| Cooked turkey | 3 to 4 days | 4 months |
| Cooked turkey dishes | 3 to 4 days | 4 to 6 months |
| Turkey broth and gravy | 3 to 4 days | 2 to 3 months |
How long is turkey good in the fridge?
Fresh whole turkey and fresh turkey parts are good for 1 to 2 days in the refrigerator. Put turkey in a refrigerator that maintains 40°F (4°C) or below as soon as you get home. Turkey is kept cold during distribution, so make the grocery your last stop before home.
How long can ground turkey stay in the fridge?
Ground turkey can stay in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 days, and giblets keep for the same time. In the freezer, ground turkey is best within 3 to 4 months, according to USDA FoodKeeper.
How long does deli turkey last in the fridge?
Deli turkey lasts 2 weeks in the fridge unopened and 3 to 5 days once you open it, according to the USDA’s turkey storage chart. Keep it in a fridge at 40°F (4°C) or below. In the freezer, turkey lunch meat is best within 1 to 2 months.
How long does turkey last in the freezer?
A whole turkey is best within 12 months in the freezer, and turkey parts within 9 months. Freeze turkey at 0°F (-18°C) or below. Those times are for best quality, and turkey that stays frozen continuously is safe indefinitely.
Freezer burn doesn’t make turkey unsafe. It shows up as grayish-brown leathery spots, and you can cut those parts away before or after cooking.
How to store cooked turkey and leftovers
Refrigerate cooked turkey within 2 hours of cooking, or within 1 hour above 90°F (32°C). It then keeps 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator and 4 months in the freezer.
To cool turkey fast, cut it into smaller pieces and refrigerate. Slice the breast meat, and leave the legs and wings whole if you like.
How to reheat leftover turkey
Reheat leftover turkey to 165°F (74°C), measured with a food thermometer. The USDA doesn’t recommend reheating a whole cooked turkey.
Store-bought cooked turkey dinners
A hot turkey dinner must stay at 140°F (60°C) or above if you’ll eat it within 2 hours, or within 1 hour at 90°F (32°C) or above. It’s not a good idea to keep the food hot longer than 2 hours.
To hold it longer than 2 hours, remove all the stuffing from the turkey cavity, divide the turkey into smaller pieces, and refrigerate everything in separate, shallow containers. Reheat it thoroughly to 165°F (74°C).
If the dinner is already cooked and refrigerated, keep it cold and refrigerate it immediately when you get home, always within 2 hours. Serve the meal within 2 days.
How to tell if turkey has gone bad
Spoiled turkey has an off odor, feels sticky or tacky, or is slimy, and its color may fade or darken. If turkey has developed these signs, don’t use it.
A change in color alone doesn’t mean turkey is spoiled. Raw turkey skin is off white to cream-colored, and the color under the skin ranges from pink to lavender blue, depending on the fat under the skin.
Frequently asked questions
Can you thaw a turkey on the counter?
No, you can't thaw a turkey on the counter. The USDA says never to defrost turkey there, and recommends the refrigerator, cold water, or the microwave instead.
What does fresh mean on a turkey label?
The label "fresh" may only go on raw poultry that has never been below 26°F. Poultry held at 0°F (-18°C) or below must be labeled "frozen" or "previously frozen."
Can you partly cook a turkey and finish it later?
No, never brown or partially cook turkey to refrigerate and finish cooking later, because any bacteria present wouldn't have been destroyed. It's safe to partially cook or microwave turkey if you transfer it immediately to a hot grill to finish cooking.
How long can turkey sit out?
Turkey can sit out of the refrigerator for no more than 2 hours, or 1 hour above 90°F (32°C). Bacteria grow most rapidly between 40°F (4°C) and 140°F (60°C), doubling in number in as little as 20 minutes.
Is turkey still safe after a year in the freezer?
Yes, turkey that stays frozen continuously at 0°F (-18°C) or below is safe indefinitely. The freezer times, such as 12 months for a whole turkey, are for best quality.
Should you go by the date on a turkey package?
Not for safety, because product dates aren't a guide for safe use of turkey. Buy turkey before the date on the package and follow the handling directions on the product.
Should you thaw a frozen pre-stuffed turkey?
No. Don't thaw a frozen pre-stuffed turkey. The USDA says to cook it from frozen.
Can you refreeze a thawed turkey?
Yes, if it thawed properly in the refrigerator and you need to. Don't refreeze a turkey that thawed in cold water or in the microwave.
