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In this post, you will find out how long ground turkey can really last in your fridge as well as what the signs of spoilage are if you think your ground turkey has gone bad.
Picture it. You’re getting ready to make dinner after a really long day. You’re tired, the kids are going crazy and you’re ready to just sit down and eat.
You open the fridge and you notice that forgotten package of ground turkey sitting waaaay in the back. You look at it intently overanalyzing everything about it – the smell, texture, and color.
You have no idea what to look for. Is this still good enough to eat?
How long does uncooked ground turkey last in the fridge?
The length of time that ground turkey can last in your fridge greatly depends on whether the ground turkey is raw or cooked.
Fresh uncooked raw turkey can last in the fridge for 1-2 days according to the USDA.
Once cooked, ground turkey can be refrigerated and stored safely in an airtight container for 3-4 days. However, you should never leave leftover turkey at room temperature (41 degrees or higher) as the growth of bacteria can become rampant. This can ultimately lead to food poisoning.
How long does thawed (previously frozen) ground turkey last in the fridge?
If you’re 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.
But sometimes those good intentions you had to use the meat in the morning quickly change by dinner time.
As long as your ground turkey meat is going through the defrosting process in a refrigerator it remains safe to eat.
However, once thawed the clock starts ticking. You will need to use your ground turkey within 1-2 days of it being completely thawed.
The USDA also states that it is suitable to refreeze any thawed ground turkey that wasn’t cooked. But keep in mind some of the quality may be compromised due to moisture lost in the defrosting process.
All in all, it is not necessary to throw away any unused defrosted turkey. You can either refreeze it or use it within the allotted time frame of 1-2 days.
Which airtight containers are best for storing raw meat?
To prevent food waste it is important that you know how to properly store your raw poultry.
You can safely do this in a few ways.
- Make sure you are using a sealed container for your ground turkey. Storing meat in unsealed containers increases the likelihood of juices from the meat leaking onto other food in your fridge further contaminating it.
- It is not necessary to invest in fancy containers in order to properly store your raw meat. You can place your raw ground meat into a freezer bag. To keep the meat extra fresh you can wrap your meat in freezer paper first before placing it into the bag.
- If using a reusable container consider using a glass container with an airtight locking lid. Plastic containers are more likely to hold onto odors as well as bacteria.
- Another great option for freezer meat storage especially would be to invest in vacuum seal bags or containers.
What does bad ground turkey smell like?
If you didn’t already know fresh turkey that is under its expiry date should be virtually odorless. So the best way to tell if your ground turkey has gone bad is just by simply smelling it.
When sniffing out your meat you will want to look for a very obvious and distinct sour smell. You might also find it smelling slightly sweet or even resembling the smell of rotten eggs. All of those above indicate that your ground turkey is no longer suitable for eating and should be thrown away.
What color and texture should ground turkey be?
Fresh ground turkey at its best quality should be a light pink shade. Just like ground beef spoilage bacteria will cause your ground turkey to take on a brownish or gray color when it’s going bad.
You might even notice that the outside layer of the raw ground meat is turning brown while the inside is still slightly pink. Any noticeable color change means that meat has gone off and shouldn’t be consumed.
When it comes to the texture of your ground turkey it should be soft and slightly moist but definitely not slimy. Any wet or slimy texture you might notice is undoubtedly a sign that the quality is declining.
Can ground turkey be stored in its original packaging?
Yes, it is safe to keep your ground turkey in its original store packaging.
However, for extended storage such as freezing it would be best to transfer your meat into another container such as a plastic bag. This is because the wrapping used in the packaging of meat products is prone to allowing air to leak through which in turn can cause freezer burn. Over time this air exposure can also diminish the quality of the meat.
What is the difference between the sell-by date versus the use-by date?
You might be wondering how long you have to use your ground turkey after you hit the sell-by date.
If you didn’t already know the sell-by date simply indicates how long the store can display a product for sale. It is not an expiration date. You can still safely eat the ground turkey 1-2 days after you hit the sell-by date.
If you do not plan on consuming the ground turkey within a few days of purchase you should go ahead and freeze it.
However, the use-by-date or best-by date is a little bit different. The use-by date is telling you that a product should be used by that time to ensure peak quality. You should either use the ground meat or freeze it by that date. I would not recommend eating the ground turkey past the use-by date unless it was previously frozen.
In closing the shelf life of ground turkey greatly depends on whether or not it is fresh or frozen. Fresh ground turkey can last in your fridge for 1-2 days while frozen ground turkey can last as long as 3-4 months. To prevent bacterial growth it is important to properly store your ground turkey in an airtight container and never leave your ground turkey at high temperatures above 41 degrees for longer periods of time. To prevent foodborne illness it is also important to keep an eye out for any signs of spoilage such as discoloration of your meat. Like going from a pink color to brown. You might also notice an off smell such as a sour odor or slimy texture. Any of those things indicate the meat is no longer safe to eat and should be discarded.