In this brief guide, we are going to answer the question “how long can you leave the ground turkey in the fridge” with an in-depth analysis of the shelf life of a ground turkey. Moreover, we are going to discuss the different ways to spot spoiled ground turkey.
So without much ado, let’s dive in and figure out more about it.
How long can you leave the ground turkey in the fridge?
Raw ground turkey lasts in the fridge for 1-2 days while cooked ground turkey 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 ground turkey’s expected shelf life.
What is the best temperature to keep ground turkey at?
Ground turkey 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 ground turkey at a lower temperature to keep it fresh for longer.
How long does ground turkey last at room temperature?
When kept at room temperature, ground turkey lasts for around 2 hours.
Because bacterial growth occurs at a quicker rate between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit, ground turkey 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 ground turkey left out in the open for more than an hour at such temperature should be discarded.
How long does ground turkey last in the freezer?
Raw ground turkey lasts for 3-4 months while cooked ground turkey lasts for about 4 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 ground turkey extends its shelf life significantly due to the freezer’s low temperature, which inhibits bacterial growth on the ground turkey.
How to defrost a frozen ground turkey?
You can quickly defrost frozen ground turkey by placing it in the refrigerator overnight, and thawed ground turkey can be stored in the refrigerator for 1-2 days before reheating and consuming it.
If you’re defrosting the frozen ground turkey in a bowl of cold water, the microwave, or on the counter, you should utilize it right away after reheating it till its internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
How to vacuum seal ground turkey?
You may even vacuum seal your ground turkey at home to extend its shelf life. It involves placing the ground turkey 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 ground turkey at home.
Is it possible to refrigerate the reheated ground turkey?
Once the previously cooked refrigerated/frozen ground turkey has been reheated, it should never be refrigerated again. Because the temperature of the ground turkey 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 ground turkey and reheated ground turkey should never be refrigerated, rather it is better to consume it completely or otherwise discard the reheated leftovers properly.
What are different ways to spot spoiled ground turkey?
There are a few clear indicators that indicate if your ground turkey has gone bad. To determine if the ground turkey has gone bad, look at its appearance, texture, and smell.
Appearance
If you see mold or other organic growth on your ground turkey or if it is discolored, it’s time to throw it out.
It’s worth noting that you should avoid smelling moldy ground turkey since molds can produce mycotoxins, which can disturb your gut microflora and damage your immune system if they enter your body by inhalation.
Texture
If you touch the ground turkey and it feels sticky, slimy, or gooey, it’s time to throw it out.
Smell
If you smell something sour or ammonia-like while sniffing your ground turkey, it’s time to throw it out.
Lastly, I do not recommend tasting cooked ground turkey with a foul odor, but if you are brave (and silly) enough, you will notice a significant change in the texture and mouthfeel of the spoiled ground turkey. It will have an off-flavor.
Thus, if the microbes have somehow gotten into your ground turkey and spoiled it, the best thing you can do is throw it out.
How to properly store ground turkey?
- Ground turkey should be stored on one of the refrigerator shelves rather than the door, as there is a lot of temperature variation at the fridge door, which might affect its quality.
- It’s better to keep raw ground turkey on the lowest level of the fridge to avoid it dripping on other foods.
- Because microscopic organisms grow quickly at temperatures between 40°F and 140°F, it is best to refrigerate the ground turkey 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 ground turkey, keep it in an airtight container in the freezer. Cooked ground turkey that has been frozen at 0°C is safe to use for extremely long periods.
- Ground turkey should be stored in shallow compact containers to allow it to cool quickly.
You can read how to make turkey breakfast patties here.
Conclusion
In this brief guide, we answered the question “how long can you leave the ground turkey in the fridge” with an in-depth analysis of the shelf life of a ground turkey. Moreover, we discussed the different ways to spot spoiled ground turkey.