In this brief guide, we are going to answer the question “how long can you freeze a turkey breast” with an in-depth analysis of the shelf life of turkey breast.
So without much ado, let’s dive in and figure out more about it.
How long can you freeze a turkey breast?
Raw turkey breast lasts for about 9 months while cooked turkey breast lasts for 2-6 months in the freezer if stored in an airtight plastic freezer bag, although it is best consumed within 1-2 months for the best quality and taste.
As a result, freezing the turkey breast extends its shelf life significantly due to the freezer’s low temperature, which inhibits bacterial growth on the turkey breast.
How to defrost frozen turkey breast?
You can quickly defrost frozen turkey breast by placing it in the refrigerator overnight, and thawed turkey breast can be stored in the refrigerator for 1-2 days before cooking and consuming it.
If you’re defrosting frozen turkey breast in a bowl of cold water, in the microwave, or on the counter, you should utilize it right away after cooking it till its internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
How to vacuum seal turkey breast?
You may even vacuum seal your turkey breast at home to extend its shelf life. It involves placing the turkey breast in a plastic zipper bag, eliminating the air, then nearly sealing the bag with a small amount of space remaining while lowering it into water.
After that, start pressing out the bubbles starting from the bag’s bottom and work your way up to the sealed end, closing the bag’s seal.
A vacuum sealer pump can also be used to easily vacuum seal turkey breast at home.
Is it possible to refrigerate the reheated turkey breast?
Once the previously cooked refrigerated/frozen turkey breast has been reheated, it should never be refrigerated again. Because the temperature of the turkey breast goes above 40 degrees Fahrenheit when reheated and we know that bacteria develops rapidly between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
As a result, bacteria will make their way into your turkey breast, and reheated turkey breast should never be refrigerated, rather it is better to consume it completely or otherwise discard the reheated leftovers properly.
How long can turkey breast stay in the fridge?
Uncooked turkey breast lasts in the fridge for 1-2 days while cooked turkey breast lasts for about 3-4 days if kept at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. It should be kept in plastic zipper bags on one of the refrigerator’s shelves.
It’s worth noting that the values given above are for turkey breast’s expected shelf life.
What is the best temperature to keep turkey breast at?
Turkey breast should be kept at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or lower at all times. Bacterial development is more rapid between the temperatures of 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit, therefore it’s best to keep your turkey breast at a lower temperature to keep it fresh for longer.
Is it advisable to put the hot turkey breast in the fridge?
If the turkey breast is still steaming, chill it in a bowl of cold water or on the counter (for a little time) until the steam decreases. You may also lay ice packs under the dish to allow the heat to escape even faster.
Putting hot turkey breast in the fridge has certain disadvantages associated with it.
It warms the food next to it
Putting hot food in the fridge creates a quick rise in internal temperature, increasing the danger of contamination from other foods and shortening the period it may be stored.
It’s best to leave adequate room around the hot food for air to flow and improve the cooling process, and to lay the food on top if it’s a bit warm because the temperature is more constant in this area.
Food cools unevenly
The surface and volume of the object cool at different rates: the smaller the piece, the quicker it cools. As a result, it’s best to divide it and keep it in shallow containers to expedite the process.
Can cause condensation
It can produce condensation inside the fridge due to steam from hot food, which forms water droplets. Excess moisture contributes to the growth of mold and mildew, and even the rotting of food, over time.
The chilly, humid, and gloomy environment quickly becomes a perfect environment for bacteria and fungi of all kinds. It is best to cover the container with a cover to avoid this. This is especially important in the case of watery dishes like soups.
How long does turkey breast last at room temperature?
When kept at room temperature, turkey breast lasts for around 2 hours.
Because bacterial growth occurs at a quicker rate between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit, turkey breast left out for more than 2 hours should be discarded.
Furthermore, if the surrounding temperature is around 90 degrees Fahrenheit, the rotting process is accelerated, and the turkey breast left out in the open for more than an hour at such temperature should be discarded.
How to properly store turkey breast?
- Because microscopic organisms grow quickly at temperatures between 40°F and 140°F, it is best to refrigerate the turkey breast within 2 hours it is cooked in airtight containers to extend its shelf life while keeping its quality.
- If you wish to extend the shelf life of prepared turkey breast, keep it in an airtight container in the freezer. Cooked turkey breast that has been frozen at 0°C is safe to use for extremely long periods.
- Turkey breast should be stored in shallow compact containers to allow it to cool quickly.
You can read how to make turkey breast here.
Conclusion
In this brief guide, we answered the question “how long can you freeze a turkey breast” with an in-depth analysis of the shelf life of turkey breast.