Leftover turkey is a staple after Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. With so much delicious turkey prepared, it’s common to have plenty of leftovers. But is turkey still safe to eat a week after cooking? Let’s take a closer look at whether leftover turkey is good after 7 days in the fridge.
How long does cooked turkey last in the fridge?
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), cooked turkey will last 3-4 days in the refrigerator when stored properly. This includes roasted whole turkey as well as sliced turkey meat. The USDA recommends carving turkey off the bone before refrigerating, and storing in shallow airtight containers to allow the turkey to cool quickly.
Some important food safety guidelines from the USDA on storing leftover turkey:
- Refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking.
- Store in containers 3 inches deep or less.
- Use turkey within 3-4 days.
- Reheat leftovers to 165°F.
Following these tips prevents bacterial growth and keeps leftover turkey safe. But can you still eat turkey after a week?
Is turkey still good after 7 days in the fridge?
The short answer is no. Turkey is not considered safe to eat after sitting in the refrigerator for a full week.
Even when properly stored, turkey is only safe for a maximum of 4 days after cooking. Eating turkey that is older than 4 days poses a risk of food poisoning.
Bacteria multiplies quickly on perishable foods like cooked meat and poultry. Over time, the bacteria can multiply to dangerous levels that could cause illness. Leftover turkey that is 7 days old is well past its prime and could harbor harmful levels of bacteria.
Why does turkey go bad so quickly?
There are a few reasons why leftover turkey has such a short shelf life:
- High moisture content – Turkey contains a lot of moisture, which promotes bacteria growth.
- High protein content – Bacteria thrive on protein foods like meat and poultry.
- Cook to safe temperature – Turkey needs to reach at least 165°F to kill bacteria, but never kills all of it.
- Handling after cooking – Bacteria is introduced each time leftover turkey is handled or sliced.
Due to these factors, turkey spoils faster than other meats. Even when refrigerated, bacteria multiplies to unsafe levels within 3-4 days.
How can you tell if leftover turkey is bad after 7 days?
If you’re unsure whether your 7-day old leftover turkey is still safe, check for these signs of spoilage:
- Slimy or sticky texture
- Grayish color
- Off odor
- Mold growth
Sliminess, off-colors, and foul odors indicate bacteria growth. The turkey should be discarded if you notice any of these signs after a week in the fridge.
Additionally, look for obvious mold. Mold is harmful and turkey should be thrown out immediately if any amount is spotted.
Spoilage bacteria in turkey
The main bacteria of concern in spoiled turkey is clostridium perfringens. This bacteria produces toxins that cause food poisoning symptoms like diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal cramps.
Salmonella is another bacteria that can grow on stored turkey if cross-contamination occurred during handling.
Proper refrigeration keeps bacteria growth in check. But after 7 days, bacteria populations are likely high enough to cause foodborne illness.
Can you freeze turkey after 7 days?
Freezing leftovers puts bacteria growth on pause. But freezing turkey after it’s been refrigerated for a week is still risky.
Bacteria continues multiplying slowly at refrigerator temperatures. Turkey that sits for 7 days likely has high bacterial levels before freezing even occurs.
While freezing stops bacteria from growing further, it does not kill existing bacteria. The turkey would still be unsafe to thaw and eat after prolonged refrigerator storage.
For optimal safety and quality, leftover turkey is best frozen within 4 days of refrigerating. Frozen turkey keeps for 4-6 months when properly wrapped.
Proper freezing guidelines
Follow these guidelines for safely freezing leftover turkey:
- Allow turkey to cool completely before freezing, within 2 hours of cooking.
- Package turkey in airtight wraps, bags, or containers.
- Label packages with date and contents.
- Freeze immediately at 0°F or below.
- Never refreeze thawed turkey.
Freezing within 4 days keeps bacteria levels low and preserves texture and moisture.
Can you eat turkey after 7 days if reheated?
Reheating does not necessarily make turkey safe to eat after a week in the refrigerator. Leftover turkey should only be kept for a maximum of 4 days.
The reason is because bacteria continues multiplying over time, reaching dangerous levels after 7 days in the fridge. Thoroughly reheating turkey to 165°F only kills some bacteria, not all that may be present.
Reheating 7-day old turkey can also lead to changes in texture, taste, and moisture. The quality greatly declines the longer turkey is stored.
So even thoroughly reheated, turkey that is too old may still harbor illness-causing bacteria and likely won’t taste very good.
Proper reheating guidelines
When reheating any leftover turkey within its safe timeframe:
- Use a food thermometer to check internal temperature.
- Heat turkey to 165°F or hotter.
- Bring soups and gravies back to a boil.
- Discard turkey if reheating doesn’t reach 165°F.
These steps kill most bacteria for safe consumption within the 3-4 day recommended window.
What are the risks of eating turkey after 7 days?
Eating leftover turkey that’s over a week old comes with serious health risks:
Food poisoning
Harmful bacteria can multiply to unsafe levels. Consuming old turkey can lead to foodborne illness. Potential symptoms include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal cramps
- Diarrhea
- Fever
Symptoms may be mild to severe depending on the amount of bacteria ingested.
Toxic poisoning
Spoiled turkey contains chemicals produced by bacteria that can cause toxic poisoning. Toxins may continue to develop even when turkey is frozen or refrigerated. Symptoms are similar to food poisoning but generally more severe.
Negative health effects
Old turkey may also harbor harmful bacteria like salmonella and E. coli that can negatively affect health, especially in young children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems.
Consuming spoiled foods puts your health at unnecessary risk. The impacts may be short-lived food poisoning or severe illness requiring hospitalization. Don’t take chances with leftover turkey past its prime.
How long can cooked turkey be left out?
Proper refrigeration is key for preserving leftover turkey. The “danger zone” for bacterial growth is between 40°F and 140°F. Cooked turkey should not be left out at room temperature longer than 2 hours.
After sitting out for more than 2 hours:
- Refrigerate turkey immediately if total time above 40°F is less than 4 hours.
- Throw away turkey if left between 40°F and 140°F more than 4 hours.
Leaving cooked turkey unrefrigerated for too long also shortens its usable shelf life. Turkey left out for 4+ hours should be discarded even if later refrigerated.
Never taste test turkey that has sat at room temperature for an extended period of time. Even a small taste can transmit foodborne illness if bacteria levels are high.
Can you put hot turkey directly in the fridge?
Yes, you can place freshly cooked turkey directly into the refrigerator still hot. This shortens the total time the turkey spends in the danger zone.
Just make sure to carve turkey into smaller portions first so it can chill quickly. Leave ample space around containers for air circulation.
Rapid chilling within 2 hours after cooking helps prevent bacteria growth. While you can refrigerate hot turkey, you generally should not freeze it until completely cooled.
How long can uncooked turkey be left out before cooking?
Raw poultry should not be left out at room temperature for longer than 2 hours before cooking.
Like cooked turkey, raw turkey also carries bacteria like salmonella. Sitting out allows bacteria to multiply to dangerous levels.
After 2 hours at room temperature, raw turkey should be:
- Cooked immediately if within the 2 hour window.
- Discarded if left out longer than 2 hours.
Cooking turkey to a proper internal temperature of 165°F kills harmful bacteria. But the longer raw turkey sits out, the greater the starting bacteria load.
For food safety, it’s best to limit raw turkey’s time at temperatures above 40°F. Prep and cook turkey right after removing from refrigerator or freezer.
Can you refreeze thawed raw turkey?
Previously frozen raw turkey can be safely refrozen if thawed in the refrigerator and kept at 40°F or below. Refreezing thawed turkey that sat at room temperature for over 2 hours is not recommended.
In general, thawing in the refrigerator is best to limit bacteria growth. Raw turkey defrosted in cold water must be cooked immediately.
When refreezing raw turkey:
- Refreeze while turkey is still icy cold.
- Do not refreeze turkey more than once.
- Use refrozen turkey within a couple months for best quality.
Properly handling raw poultry prevents illness and keeps your Thanksgiving leftovers safe.
How do you know if uncooked turkey is bad?
Check for these signs that raw turkey has spoiled and should be discarded:
- Slimy feel
- Graying color
- Off odor
Quality raw turkey is pinkish in color with a fresh odor. Any purge or juices should be clear. Discoloration, stickiness, or foul smell indicates spoilage.
Additionally, do not use turkey if the “use by” date has passed. This date accounts for safe refrigerator storage time before cooking.
Discard raw turkey that is past its use by date, even if frozen. The turkey may be unsafe even when it looks and smells fine. Don’t take risks with expired poultry.
Can you cook and eat bad raw turkey?
Never cook or eat turkey that shows signs of spoilage. The bacteria levels may be dangerously high.
While cooking spoiled turkey may kill some bacteria, it does not eliminate toxins that bacteria produce. Consuming bad turkey can still cause foodborne illness.
Always err on the side of caution. If in doubt, throw it out. Food safety with raw poultry is critical. A stomach bug is not worth the risk of eating turkey that has gone bad.
What are safe turkey leftovers substitutes?
Avoid eating questionable leftover turkey. If you don’t want to waste uneaten turkey after 7 days, consider these safe uses:
Turkey stock
Simmer bones, drippings, and vegetable scraps to make rich turkey broth. Strain and refrigerate up to 5 days.
Turkey pet treats
Dogs can safely eat plain turkey meat and bones after Thanksgiving. Check with your vet if feeding turkey to other pets like cats.
Compost turkey
Bones, meat, and carcass can all be added to a compost pile. Avoid using turkey with mold.
Discard turkey
When in doubt, throw it out. Most turkey leftovers last 3-4 days at most. Don’t take risks by keeping them too long.
Enjoy your Thanksgiving turkey while it’s fresh, make stock, or find other creative ways to use up leftovers. Discard turkey after a week – it’s simply not worth getting sick over.
Conclusion
Eating 7-day old leftover turkey poses a serious health risk due to bacterial growth over time. For optimal safety and quality, leftover turkey should be eaten within 3-4 days and discarded after that.
Reheating, cooking, or freezing old turkey does not necessarily make it safe to consume. Follow proper storage methods to keep cooked and raw turkey within the recommended refrigeration time limits.
Check for signs of spoilage and never eat turkey that smells bad or looks iffy. Illness-causing bacteria can grow even when refrigerated. So when in doubt, throw old turkey out and stick to the 3-4 day recommended fridge life after cooking.