How long does turkey last?
In the fridge, turkey keeps for 1 to 2 days from the package date. All 2 kinds are below.
No guideline
1 to 2 days
from the package date
No guideline
By kind
| Kind | Pantry | Fridge | After opening | Freezer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| whole | no guideline | 1 to 2 days | no guideline | 12 months |
| pre-packaged, luncheon/deli meat | no guideline | 2 weeks | 3 to 5 days | Not recommended |
No guideline: USDA gives no time for that place, usually because the food is not stored that way.
Does turkey go bad?
Yes. The fridge time above is the window USDA gives for good quality; after it, turkey may still be safe for a short while but quality drops and spoilage signs start. The date on the package is the maker's quality promise; the times here count from purchase unless marked "from the package date".
Two numbers to keep in mind: a fridge at 40 F (4 C) or below, and no more than 2 hours at room temperature (1 hour above 90 F / 32 C) for anything perishable.
How to tell turkey has gone bad
- Spoiled raw turkey has an off odour and a sticky, tacky or slimy surface. If it has any of these, do not cook it.
- Raw poultry colour varies from bluish-white to yellow and that range is normal. A colour change only matters when the smell or the surface has changed too.
- Cooked turkey and leftovers keep 3 to 4 days in the fridge. Freeze what you will not eat by then.
- Deli turkey: once the pack is open, use it within 3 to 5 days, and throw it out if it turns slimy or smells sour.
Sources: The Color of Meat and Poultry (USDA FSIS); Turkey Basics: Handling Cooked Dinners (USDA FSIS). The times on this page are quality guidelines, not safety limits; food that shows these signs goes out regardless of the date.
How long do other poultry: fresh last?
Source: USDA FSIS FoodKeeper dataset (public domain). How we decode the data.