TURKEY, GROUND - FRESH, RAW
Freezer
3-4 months (best quality)
Shelf Life Tips
- How long does raw ground turkey last in the fridge or freezer? The exact answer to that question depends to a large extent on storage conditions - keep ground turkey refrigerated at all times.
- How long does raw ground turkey last after the sell-by date? After ground turkey is purchased, it may be refrigerated for 1 to 2 days - the "sell-by" date on the package may expire during that storage period, but the ground turkey will remain safe to use after the sell by date if it has been properly stored.
- Unopened raw ground turkey may be kept in its original store packaging when refrigerating; to maximize the shelf life of ground turkey, do not open the package until ready to use.
- How long can raw ground turkey be left at room temperature? Bacteria grow rapidly at temperatures between 40 °F and 140 °F; ground turkey should be discarded if left out for more than 2 hours at room temperature.
- To further extend the shelf life of raw ground turkey, freeze; when freezing, place ground turkey in the freezer before the number of days shown for refrigerator storage has elapsed.
- You can maximize the shelf life of ground turkey in the freezer by overwrapping the original store packaging with airtight heavy-duty aluminum foil, plastic wrap, or freezer paper or place the package inside a heavy-duty freezer bag in order to prevent freezer burn.
- How long does raw ground turkey last in the freezer? Properly stored, it will maintain best quality for about 3 to 4 months, but will remain safe beyond that time.
- The freezer time shown is for best quality only - ground turkey that has been kept constantly frozen at 0°F will keep safe indefinitely.
- How long does raw ground turkey last after being frozen and thawed? Ground turkey that has been defrosted in the fridge can be kept for an additional 1 to 2 days in the refrigerator before cooking; ground turkey that was thawed in the microwave or in cold water should be cooked immediately.
- How long does ground turkey last in the fridge once it is cooked? Cooked ground turkey will usually stay good for 3 to 4 days in the fridge and 4 months in the freezer.
- How to tell if raw 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, dull color and slimy texture; discard any ground turkey with an off smell or appearance.
About Our Authors
Sources: For details about data sources used for food storage information, please click here
Today's Tips
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 I keep ground turkey in 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.
How do you store ground turkey in the refrigerator?
With ground turkey, you should keep it in the meat drawer. If your fridge doesn't have one, put the meat where it's recommended to store raw fish, meat, or poultry – at the back of the lowest shelf. This is the coldest place and most suitable to store ground turkey.
Do you keep ground turkey in the fridge or freezer?
How long does raw ground turkey last? The short answer is 2-3 days in the fridge. If you are planning on using it after that time frame, then freeze it. Freshly processed meat has a light pink color and has no funky smell or aroma.
Is ground turkey good after 4 days in fridge?
If kept properly, it can survive for up to two days after the sell-by date. Or typically up to four days after you've purchased it. However, if it has been out for more than two hours at a temperature between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit, throw it out.