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cooked turkey

How Long Does Cooked Turkey Last in the Fridge?

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Cooked turkey lasts 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator when kept at 40°F (4°C) or below, according to FoodSafety.gov’s cold-storage chart, last reviewed November 21, 2024. Refrigerate it promptly, and freeze it within that window if you will not eat it in time.

How long cooked turkey keeps in the fridge

The 3-to-4-day limit applies to cooked turkey leftovers stored continuously at 40°F (4°C) or colder. It is a safety window for cooked meat and poultry leftovers—not the storage guidance for raw turkey. The U.S. FoodSafety.gov chart gives the same refrigerator timeframe for cooked meat and poultry leftovers.

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How to refrigerate turkey safely

Refrigerate it promptly

Put cooked turkey in the refrigerator within 2 hours of cooking or removal from hot holding. If it has been in air temperatures above 90°F (32°C), refrigerate it within 1 hour. FoodSafety.gov says it is OK to put hot food directly into the refrigerator; do not leave turkey on the counter to cool first.

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Divide large portions

Separate a large turkey or large portions into smaller amounts in shallow containers so they cool faster. Prompt chilling is important: the 3-to-4-day refrigerator window assumes the food was handled and chilled properly.

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Keep the refrigerator at 40°F or below

Use a refrigerator thermometer if you need to check the temperature. The storage limit applies at 40°F (4°C) or below.

What if the turkey sat out too long?

Discard cooked turkey left at room temperature longer than 2 hours, or longer than 1 hour when the surrounding air was above 90°F (32°C). Do not rely on smell or appearance to decide whether it is safe, and do not use the usual refrigerated-storage window to excuse unsafe handling before chilling.

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Can you freeze leftover turkey?

Yes. Freeze it within the four-day refrigerator window if you will not eat it in time. FoodSafety.gov lists 2 to 6 months in the freezer for best quality for cooked meat or poultry leftovers. That is a quality guideline, not a point at which properly and continuously frozen food suddenly becomes unsafe: food kept at 0°F (-18°C) remains safe indefinitely, although its quality can decline.

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How to reheat cooked turkey

Reheat leftovers to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) before serving. Check the temperature with a food thermometer rather than estimating by appearance.

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