Thanksgiving and the holiday season yield economical deals on turkeys, so it's tempting to purchase more than your family can eat. While a frozen turkey is safe in the freezer for up to 12 months, according to the United States Department of Agriculture, fresh or thawed turkey has a much shorter shelf life. By properly storing your thawed turkey, it stays safe and fresh until you're ready to cook and enjoy it with your family.
Step 1
Place the turkey on a roasting pan. This helps to catch any juices or drippings that leak from the turkey or its packaging while being stored.
Step 2
Store the turkey in the refrigerator. It is never safe to allow a turkey to thaw or be stored at room temperature; E. coli, Salmonella and other harmful bacteria flourish at room temperatures.
Step 3
Cook or refreeze the turkey within one to two days of thawing. Turkey is highly perishable and is not meant to be stored for long periods of time unless completely frozen.
Step 4
Check for signs of spoilage before you cook the turkey, such as an offensive smell or a change in color. Do not consume spoiled poultry, as it could lead to the ingestion of harmful bacteria that causes sickness and even death.
Things You'll Need
- Roasting pan
- Refrigerator
References
- United States Department of Agriculture: Food Safety: Food Storage, Preparation & Handling
- United States Department of Agriculture: Freezing and Food Safety
- Minnesota Department of Health: Turkey: Safe Thawing and Cooking
- Iowa State university Extension: Let's Talk Turkey Food Safety!
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Food Poisoning
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