How long can you keep a frozen turkey in the refrigerator before cooking?

If raw frozen turkey is thawed in the refrigerator, the defrosted turkey can last in the fridge for 1–2 days before it needs to be cooked or refrozen. If you’re in a hurry to thaw your turkey, there’s a faster method you can use.

Can I keep a frozen turkey in the fridge for 5 days?

It takes approximately 24 hours for every 4 to 5 pounds of whole turkey to thaw in the refrigerator. Once the turkey is thawed, you can keep it in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 additional days before cooking. For more information about thawing a turkey, go to Turkey Basics: Safe Thawing.

Can you keep a frozen turkey in the refrigerator for 7 days?

Pick up your frozen turkey from the grocery store or schedule it for delivery on this day. It will take one day per four pounds of turkey to defrost. Once it’s thawed, the turkey can be refrigerated for an additional four days before it needs to be cooked.

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Can I keep a fresh turkey in the fridge for a week?

No, it isn’t convenient. But it’s reality. The issue with keeping a fresh, raw turkey in your refrigerator for more than a couple of days isn’t the pathogens that cause food poisoning, says Ben Chapman, the N.C. State University food-safety extension specialist. The problem is spoiled meat.

How long does it take to defrost a 12 lb turkey?

Allow 30 minutes of thawing time for each pound of turkey, which translates to two to six hours for a 4- to 12-pound turkey. A 12- to 15-pound bird will thaw in six to eight hours.

How long can uncooked turkey sit out?

Meat provides the ideal environment for bacteria to breed, so the U.S. Department of Agriculture cautions consumers against thawing raw meat at room temperature. In fact, raw meat should never sit out in temperatures above 40 F for extended periods of time – and never longer than two hours for any reason.

How long can a fresh killed turkey stay in the fridge?

A freshly killed bird is fresh and delicious for up to 10 days from processing if kept very cold.

When should I buy my Thanksgiving turkey?

A: When you buy the bird depends on whether you’re going with fresh or frozen. A raw, fresh turkey should be stored for no longer than two days in the refrigerator. So if you’re buying fresh and want to keep it that way, you’ll have to make the purchase right before Thanksgiving.

Is it safe to eat a turkey frozen for 2 years?

How Long Can You Freeze Turkey? According to the Butterball Turkey Talk Line, you can keep a turkey stored in the freezer up to two years and it’s still safe to cook. Make sure your turkey is unopened. … For the best quality, the USDA recommends using the frozen turkey within the first year of storage.

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How do you thaw a turkey in the refrigerator?

Refrigerator Thawing

  1. Thaw turkey breast side up, in an unopened wrapper on a tray in the fridge (40 degrees F or below).
  2. Allow at least 1 day of thawing for every 4 lbs of turkey.
  3. Keep turkey in original wrapper and place on tray.
  4. Use turkey within 4 days after thawing.

What if turkey is not fully thawed?

If There’s No Time to Thaw



If you’re up against the clock and have no time left for even the “quick” cold-water thaw, then just cook the turkey as it is. It’s perfectly safe to cook a frozen or partially frozen turkey — you just need to allow some extra cooking time.

Is it OK to leave frozen turkey out overnight?

Do not thaw your turkey on the counter.



It’s frozen solid. It will be totally fine chillaxing on the counter overnight.

How long does it take to thaw a 14 lb turkey in the refrigerator?

According to the USDA, when thawing your turkey in the refrigerator, you’ll need to allow 24 hours for every four to five pounds. Don’t bother with the math–here’s a table: 4 to 12 pounds: 1-3 days. 12 to 16 pounds: 3-4 days.

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