When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no added cost to you. If you plan to keep uncooked meat longer, freezing it is your best bet. If your ground truly has turned gray you can still consume it as it is still safe to eat. Ground turkey is a popular meat alternative to ground beef. Cooked turkey can be safely stored in the freezer at 0F or less, for up to six months although some will be past its best after only two. Unfortunately just because your ground turkey has been vacuum packaged this does not mean the meat will last for longer. Fresh turkey, whether whole or cutlets, keeps well in the fridge for two days. Spoiled ground turkey has a slimy texture, a clear indicator of bacterial growth. Your turkey can start to turn brown even if you have stored it in the freezer. Nicoletti said meat that has been frozen can sometimes change color from red to brownish-gray due to a lack of oxygen or introduction of oxygen in the freezer, but it can still be fine to eat. Required fields are marked *. However, you can talk to your butcher to get their insights on which type of turkey will be best for the recipe you are making. Youre tired, the kids are going crazy and youre ready to just sit down and eat. How often should you replant a tomato plant in a pot? Ensure you have airtight containers ready to go and put it in the fridge within a day of buying it. If you plan on freezing your ground turkey, do so as soon as possible after buying it. In this blog post, well take a closer look at how long does ground turkey last in the fridge and what you can do to make sure it stays fresh as long as possible. Finally, you can try a small taste of the turkey. The texture can change if your ground turkey has spoiled. Information. This allows for toxic bacterial growth, making the turkey rotten and inedible. After beef has been refrigerated for about five days, it may turn brown. Smell the ground turkey after removing it from the fridge. Whether or not the expiration date has passed, you should always check ground turkey to ensure that it is still good before you cook it. Additionally, ground meat is a good source of protein. USDA recommends using cooked turkey within 3 to 4 days, kept refrigerated (40F or less). So, dont feel like you have use up a whole package right away. If you must use the packaging, usually consisting of a plastic tray, then make sure to cover it tightly with plastic wrap so it is as airtight as possible. I hope you find cooking inspiration, entertainment and stop and think interesting tid-bits throughout my writing and Id love to hear from you if youve got anything you want to share. If you are planning on using it after that time frame, then freeze it. When the temperature reaches 40 degrees Fahrenheit or above, the growth of bacteria and microorganisms will multiply 4 to 5 times faster at this danger zone. All in all, it is not necessary to throw away any unused defrosted turkey. The use-by date is telling you that a product should be used by that time to ensure peak quality. Food feeds the soul so get eating! Freshly ground turkey or chicken will have a light pink hue and virtually no smell. It will just take a few minutes if you use the microwave. Raw ground turkey should not be left at room temperature for more than two hours. (You Wont Believe It! It is not advised, however, to put the turkey in its original container in the freezer. Start by looking the turkey all over to ensure it doesnt have any grey or green patches. So, is ground turkey good after four days? It has a lower calorie count than other meats, making it a healthy choice for those watching their weight. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. There are a few ways to tell if ground turkey has gone bad. First, take a look at the color of the meat. If you are not going to use the turkey within four days, it can be frozen. You can either refreeze it or use it within the allotted time frame of 1-2 days. If you notice any sour or other unpleasant odors, throw them away immediately. Return it to a colder temperature to make sure it is still good. Packaging Picture it. Facebook When is the right time to harvest and remove your tomato plant? On the other hand, cooked ground turkey will last for 3-4 days. How long does a raw turkey last in the fridge? Place the ground turkey in a shallow airtight tank with a tight lead while refrigerating. This can ultimately lead to food poisoning. Is ground turkey edible after 5 days in the refrigerator? You can use a heavy-duty freezer bag as an alternative. If your shelf life is set to expire in two days, then after opening the package you have about four days to use it. A full, fresh turkey should be left in the original wrapping and can last for up to 6 months in a freezer compartment when temperatures are at or below 0degF. Freeze: Frozen ground turkey can last up to 6 months. The freezer duration indicated is just for finest grade ground beef; ground beef that has been maintained frozen at 0F on a consistent basis will remain safe indefinitely. Ground turkey is raw, which means it has the potential to contaminate other foods, such as ready-to-eat foods that come into contact with the turkey. You can also use it in soups, pasta dishes, or even tacos. But what if you've only had a few sips and want to save the rest for later? Any of those things indicate the meat is no longer safe to eat and should be discarded. If you have purchased packaged ground turkey from your local store it will stay good for up to 1-2 days if you store it in the fridge. "Select lean or extra ground beef, and So, those are a few ways you can tell if ground turkey is spoiled. So if you have some raw ground turkey thats been in the fridge for 7 days, its still safe to eat. In general, consumers have one to three days to use that meat product if it is fresh before there would be concern from a safety standpoint. How Long Does Ground Turkey Last In The Fridge After Thawing. This is why storing it and cooking it properly can reduce your risk of food poisoning. Raw turkey, interestingly, has no or only a mild odor. If you have any doubts about the freshness of your ground turkey, its a good idea to discard them immediately. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Why does my ground turkey have gray spots? Freeze it in closed airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, or wrap it securely in heavy-duty aluminum foil or freezer wrap to keep it fresh longer. A thawed turkey can remain in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 days. If you have a few hours until cooking time, utilize the cold water method to defrost your ground turkey more uniformly. If the turkey looks and smells fine, then its probably okay to eat. Whole turkeys can stay fresh for up to a year in the freezer. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the turkey. jax10289/Getty Images. You must first defrost the ground turkey before inspecting it for any changes in color, texture, or odor. Now youre wondering how long turkey lasts in the fridge and if it is safe to cook the meat. However, for extended storage such as freezing it would be best to transfer your meat into another container such as a plastic bag. Cooked turkey will last 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator, but freezing is always a great option if youve loads of leftovers. Turkey that is sealed airtight in cling film or a freezer bag can be frozen for up to four months. Freezing turkey with gravy will help it retain moisture. How do you know when ground turkey is bad? This is because in 95% lean ground beef you'll only get 70 milligrams of cholesterol and 2.5 grams of saturated fat in 4 ounces. Ground turkey will keep for 1-2 days after it has passed its sell-by date if it is stored properly. You can also use heavy-duty aluminum foil or plastic wrap for wrapping goods as an alternative. After thawing, use ground meats, poultry, and fish within one or two additional days, and use beef, pork, lamb or veal (roasts, steaks, or chops) within three to five days. [10-Pack,22 Oz]Glass Meal Prep Containers, 321 Ribs How To Smoke Ribs (The Easy Way), 10 Best Meat Slicers for Home Use (2023 Review), Hamburger Temperature Guide for Grilling (Free Temp Chart! If your ground turkey is still good, there are plenty of ways to use it up. Be sure to use it within a few days for the best results. To prevent foodborne illness it is also important to keep an eye out for any signs of spoilage such as discoloration of your meat. 4 Bottom round steak Shutterstock You may have been taught that you have to avoid all red meat when watching your heart health, but this isn't necessarily true. When storing ground turkey in the fridge, be sure to keep it in its original packaging, or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Chill Out- How Long Does Starbucks Iced Coffee Last In Fridge. You look at it intently overanalyzing everything about it the smell, texture, and color. After that, it is no longer safe to eat. To store ground turkey in the freezer properly, spice and cook it thoroughly. And finally, dont forget about it and use it by the correct date. After that, it can start to dry out or develop an off flavor. This doesnt mean that you cant prepare a bunch in advance, just be sure to only prepare what you can eat in 3-4 days! When it comes to the texture of your ground turkey it should be soft and slightly moist but definitely not slimy. If youre like me you often find yourself pulling out a pack of meat in the morning and sticking it in the fridge to defrost for later. Didnt use your ground turkey as soon as you planned and want to know how long it will last in the fridge? If you want to freeze some and thaw it for use later, then you can do that. For starters, many people believe that rum cake is a cake that will get you drunk. Cooked ground turkey can be frozen to keep it fresh for up to 4 months. What happens if you eat old ground turkey that has been sitting around for a while? How Long Does Uncooked Ground Turkey Last In The Fridge? How Much Minced Onion Equals One Onion? Make ground turkey last in the refrigerator or freezer so its there when you need it most. It is relatively easy to tell ifground turkey is bad. The raw ground should not ever be exposed to air. Ground turkey should be stored in the back section of your fridge, as far from the door as possible. Make sure the meat stays frozen for the entire time. 3 How long does fresh uncooked turkey last? Ground turkey is a mixture of dark and light turkey meat. Finally, you can try cooking a small amount of the turkey to see if it has a bad taste. We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. Also, give it a smell if it smells rancid, its time to toss it. Depends on when you bought it and what the sell by date is printed on the package. Ground turkey that has been frozen will stay safe to consume for up to 1 year. After that, it should be discarded. What is the best combination of plants with tomato? How Long does Ground Turkey last in the Fridge? Once ground, turkey begins to lose its moisture and nutrient content, making it less safe and less healthy to eat. If using a reusable container consider using a glass container with an airtight locking lid. Simply place your meat in a sealed plastic bag to prevent water from entering. It is best to follow the 4 best practices of food safety: clean, separate, cook, and chill. Keep it in its original package until youre ready to use it to keep it fresher and longer. A 20-pound turkey should be fully thawed in 4 or 5 days. How long does cooked turkey last in the fridge? This is simply not true. When youre ready to cook the frozen ground turkey, thaw it in the fridge overnight. The turkey should also be placed in an airtight container. But ground beef can about 5 or 6 days if it is stored properly. If it is, thats another sign that its gone bad. In this TheGrillingDad.com guide, well cover: Ground turkey will only stay last in the fridge for 1-2 days when raw, or 3-4 days when cooked and it must be properly stored to reach these numbers. If you can avoid it, never use the original packaging to store any leftover meat. If youre like most people, you probably have a few go-to recipes that you love to make for dinner. There are actually a lot of factors that go into how long food will last in the fridge, and its important to be aware of them so you can make sure your food is always fresh. If it has an unpleasant, sour odor, then it has likely gone rotten. It should be double-wrapped before freezing in order to avoid freezer burn. Unfortunately, ground turkey only lasts in the fridge for 1-2 days. Youve got grilling questions. For raw ground meats, poultry, seafood and variety meats (liver, tongue, chitterlings, etc. Fresh turkey should keep in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 days. If you wait any longer, the meat might begin to show signs of spoilage. Store the bird in the coldest section of the fridge, and freeze it if you arent going to be able to cook it off within 48 hours. The two main reasons why ground turkey will go bad quickly are temperature of the environment, and the air exposure. People used to grind their bones before treating them with additives. 10 Quick & Easy Weeknight Dinners On A Budget, How To Budget As A Stay At Home Mom (A Real Look Into My Actual Budget), Weekly Family Meal Plan #4 -($128.42) Budget Friendly, Quick & Easy Meals, How Long Does Ground Turkey Last in The Fridge? If the turkey is discolored at all, it has gone bad. Frozen ground turkey doesnt spoil as quickly as ground raw turkey does, so youll still have plenty of time to cook it and enjoy it later. Be sure to check CDC's website for full advice: Let the turkey cool then slice the meat or cut it into more manageable chunks. Uncooked fresh turkey lasts for about 1-2 days when stored appropriately in the fridge. However, if you plan on using it past that time frame, then you should freeze it instead. Product dates are essential for knowing how long ground turkey will last in the fridge. Ground turkey, in particular, is a great choice because it only has 79 milligrams of cholesterol and about 2 grams of saturated fat per 3-ounce serving. Is ground turkey good after 4 days in fridge? Quora, Your email address will not be published. If it smells sour or unpleasant, it is probably bad. If youre like most people, you probably dont think too much about how long your food will last in the fridge. How long does a raw turkey last in the fridge? Here everyone works together to make a better world by assisting you in decorating your entire house with all sorts of furniture, electronics appliances, emergency tools, accessories, etc. Spoiled meat may look grayish, discolored or slimy in appearance. 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