How long can you keep cooked ground turkey in the fridge

TURKEY, GROUND - COOKED

Shelf Life Tips

  • How long does cooked ground turkey last in the fridge? The precise answer to that question depends to a large extent on storage conditions - refrigerate ground turkey within two hours of cooking.
  • To maximize the shelf life of cooked ground turkey for safety and quality, refrigerate the ground turkey in shallow airtight containers or wrap tightly with heavy-duty aluminum foil or plastic wrap.
  • Properly stored, cooked ground turkey will last for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator.
  • To further extend the shelf life of cooked ground turkey, freeze it; freeze in covered airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, or wrap tightly with heavy-duty aluminum foil or freezer wrap.
  • How long does cooked ground turkey last in the freezer? Properly stored, it will maintain best quality for about 2 to 3 months, but will remain safe beyond that time.
  • The freezer time shown is for best quality only - cooked ground turkey that has been kept constantly frozen at 0°F will keep safe indefinitely.
  • How long does cooked ground turkey last after being frozen and thawed? Cooked ground turkey that has been thawed in the fridge can be kept for an additional 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator before cooking; ground turkey that was thawed in the microwave or in cold water should be eaten immediately.
  • How long does cooked ground turkey last at room temperature? Bacteria grow rapidly at temperatures between 40 °F and 140 °F; cooked ground turkey should be discarded if left for more than 2 hours at room temperature.
  • How to tell if cooked ground turkey is bad? The best way is to smell and look at the ground turkey: signs of bad ground turkey are a sour smell and a slimy texture; discard any ground turkey with an off smell or appearance, do not taste first.

About Our Authors

Sources: For details about data sources used for food storage information, please click here

Today's Tips

How long can you keep cooked ground turkey in the fridge

How long can you keep cooked ground turkey in the fridge

Cooked ground turkey meat is such a versatile foodstuff! You can serve it as it is with garnishes or sauces, make meatballs from it, or even use it for making homemade cutlets for burgers! No wonder that so many housewives prefer keeping it ready in batches until the next use.

However, here comes the question that bothers everyone who is concerned about their food quality and safety: how long does ground turkey last in the fridge after it is cooked? And how can we tell that it is already unsafe to consume?

Today we decided to make an article for you where we will do our best to answer these and a few other questions.

How Much Time Will Cooked Ground Turkey Last In the Fridge?

As we all know, the best way to keep our food safe and long lasting is to refrigerate it. Cold will preserve the products and make them stay edible longer than if we left them unchilled on the table or on the kitchen counter where bacteria can easily start growing in them.

As for the cooked ground turkey, this sort of meat will be able to stay edible from three to four days at most if you refrigerate it. However, it will last this long only if the foodstuff is properly packed and sealed!

On the other hand, if you want to extend its shelf life significantly more, we would recommend you think of freezing your cooked ground poultry!

How Much Time Will Cooked Ground Turkey Last In the Fridge Credits: pixelshot, via Canva.com

Freezing will allow you to easily keep it for weeks and use it whenever you need it.

To make it easier for you to compare the duration of cooked ground turkey lifespan when it is stored in different ways, we prepared a comparative chart for you:

Fridge3-4 days
Freezer 2-3 months
Counter 2 hours maximum

Nevertheless, your cooked ground turkey will last this long only if you pack it right.

How Much Time Will Cooked Ground Turkey Last In the Fridge Credits: Timolina, via Canva.com

  • How Much Time Will Cooked Ground Turkey Last In the Fridge?
  • How to Seal Cooked Ground Turkey For Longer Storage?
  • How to Tell That Your Ground Cooked Turkey Has Gone Bad?
  • How to Use Cooked Ground Turkey Leftovers?
  • Is Turkey a Healthy Food?
  • Frequently Asked Questions

How to Seal Cooked Ground Turkey For Longer Storage?

If you want your meaty food to last longer and remain safe for your stomach, it is important to store it properly packed and sealed. You can’t just shove it into the fridge uncovered and expect it to remain edible after a few days of storage!

So if you need to keep your cooked ground turkey longer and you are planning to either refrigerate it or freeze, follow these easy tips when packing your food:

  • When refrigerating it, place the turkey meat into a shallow airtight tank with a tight lead. As an option, you can make use of a heavy-duty aluminum foil or plastic wrap that is used for wrapping foods.
  • For freezing it long term, place your cooked ground turkey into the airtight container and cover it. Or, as a variant, use one of those heavy-duty freezer bags. Also, you can opt for a wrap, either foil or aluminum one, that is designed for being used in the freezer specifically.

Only under such conditions cooked ground turkey will be able to stay consumable for the period of time mentioned above in a chart.

How to Seal Cooked Ground Turkey For Longer Storage Credits: Timolina, via Canva.com

Is It OK to Store It In the Freezer?

If you happen to make too much cooked ground turkey, and now you have no idea what to do with it (since you won’t be able to finish it on your own!), the only way out is to keep it in the freezer.

And if you are worried about how this foodstuff will survive such a cold, we can assure you that there is nothing to worry about at all.

Cooked ground turkey can withstand the temperature in your freezer perfectly well. Besides, it is very easy to thaw later!

Is It OK to Store It In
the
Freezer Credits: Timolina, via Canva.com

To defrost this meaty foodstuff, you can make use of one of the alternative methods:

  • defrost it in your microwave for 2 minutes using the defrost setting or 3% power level
  • thaw it by keeping the turkey under the cold running water
  • remove it into the fridge from the freezer for a day

Of course, microwaving is the fastest method, but no matter which one of them you choose, remember that defrosted cooked ground turkey can last for additional three or four days refrigerated after you thaw it!

How long should you keep leftovers in your fridge?How long should you keep leftovers in your fridge?

How to Tell That Your Ground Cooked Turkey Has Gone Bad?

This is the biggest (we would even say huge!) point of concern for everyone who tends to store foods in batches for future use, as well as for those who have kids and thus have to prepare foods in advance to avoid cooking all the time!

Cooked ground turkey is not an exception. Since this food is pretty versatile and can be used in many different dishes, those who store it long term may wonder how they can define that the foodstuff has turned bad.

How to Tell That Your Ground Cooked Turkey Has Gone Bad Credits: Justin Smith, via Canva.com

This makes sense since eating spoiled meat may cause severe food poisoning unlike certain foods that are not that harmful even when being out of date.

So, regarding this meaty food, you need to look for the following signs that will clearly indicate your turkey is not edible anymore:

  1. Its color has changed to gray or even discolored
  2. It smells bad (sharp and sulfur-like smell will be easy to recognize!)
  3. You see changes in its consistency which is slimy and/or tacky

Did you notice any of these indicators? Then better throw your ground turkey away since the one you have right now must not be consumed unless you want to end up with a severe food poisoning!

How to Tell That Your Ground Cooked Turkey Has Gone Bad Credits: Timolina, via Canva.com

How to Use Cooked Ground Turkey Leftovers?

Have you cooked too much of it, and now you can’t even imagine what you can do with those meaty leftovers?

This is not a seldom thing to happen, to be honest. And of course, discarding the leftovers is not an option if they are still possible to consume!

Fortunately, cooked ground turkey is really versatile!

There are plenty of different recipes that you can use it for, and if you can’t think of anything else except for a gravy, here are a few more alternative variants for you to take into consideration for the future!

  1. ground turkey and potato skillet
  2. ground turkey with rice
  3. lasagna
  4. tacos
  5. turkey pasta with spinach
  6. turkey meatballs
  7. stuffed peppers
  8. shepherd’s pie
  9. ground turkey ground casserole
  10. turkey burgers
  11. stir fry
  12. enchiladas

With these options, you will be able to easily pick up the recipe you will cook next time you have cooked ground turkey leftovers.

How to
Use
Cooked Ground Turkey Leftovers Credits: Justin Smith, via Canva.com

Is Turkey a Healthy Food?

All of us want to eat healthy which is why so many people are concerned about their food quality today. And of course, when it comes to meat, different opinions can be heard.

Some say that any meat is not good for our bodies since they are too heavy on our stomachs, and so on, and so on. Others state that certain kinds of meat can be consumed and they even have a beneficial impact on our health.

As for the turkey meat, it is indeed healthy.

Is Turkey a Healthy Food Credits: PeteerS, via Canva.com

This poultry is very rich in protein, niacin, vitamins B6 and B12, and the amino acid tryptophan. Also, turkey is a rich source of zinc, and since its white and skinless meat is low on fat and is a perfect source of high protein, this meat can be included into a dietary menu easily.

So, like this, you are now aware of the basics of proper storage of the cooked ground turkey at home. We told you how much time this meat will last in the fridge and in the freezer, and how you should pack it for further storage as well.

In addition, now you know what makes this poultry so beneficial and healthy, and what delicious meals you can cook with it!

Frequently Asked Questions

⭐ Does reheating cooked turkey kill bacteria?

Yes, reheating does kill bacteria if there are any.

⭐ Can you eat a week-old leftover turkey?

No, meat that’s this old must be discarded.

⭐ Can I get food poisoning from eating old turkey meat?

Yes, if the meat is spoiled.

⭐ How long should I cook ground turkey?

Cook it for 14-16 minutes.

How long does Turkey last in the fridge (and why)?

The turkey will become riddled with bacteria that it is no longer safe for consumption. Unfortunately, ground turkey only lasts in the fridge for 1-2 days. However, if it is stored improperly, your ground turkey may only last for 1 day. On the other hand, cooked ground turkey will last for 3-4 days.

Can you freeze ground turkey after it's thawed?

If you’re not sure when you thawed the ground turkey, it’s best to err on the side of caution and cook it within 1-2 days. Once cooked, ground turkey will be safe to eat for 3-4 days. There are a lot of different ways to cook ground turkey, and each one can affect whether or not it can be frozen.

How do you store ground turkey?

To store ground turkey, make sure your refrigerator is at or below a temperature of 40°F. Make sure the ground turkey’s packaging is intact. If the packaging has been damaged, place it into an airtight container. Place the turkey on the bottom shelf in the coldest section of your refrigerator. Raw ground turkey can also be frozen.

How long can you cook Turkey after it is cooked?

You can cook turkey for 6 additional days after it has already been cooked, provided you throw it out immediately after cooking. However, no leftover turkey should last longer in any form. Leftovers will eventually spoil, so don‘t waste them. If you do decide to cook it again, make sure to follow the proper cooking instructions.

Is ground turkey good after 5 days in fridge?

Generally speaking, you can store raw ground turkey about 3 or 4 days unfrozen. But ground beef can about 5 or 6 days if it is stored properly. Cooked lasts a lot longer than raw so cook any extra raw ground turkey you have and store in the freezer. This is a great practice for easy meal prep later on!

How long does it take for ground turkey to go bad in the fridge?

Ground turkey and chicken usually last just two to three days in the fridge. Freshly ground turkey or chicken will have a light pink hue and virtually no smell.