Best Leftover Turkey Recipe! (2024)

FAQs

How long is turkey good for in the fridge after cooking? ›

USDA recommends using cooked turkey within 3 to 4 days, kept refrigerated (40°F or less). Refrigeration slows but does not stop bacterial growth. Turkey can be frozen for 3 to 4 months. Although safe indefinitely, frozen leftovers can lose moisture and flavor when stored for longer times in the freezer.

Simply heat your oven to 300 degrees, put the carved meat in a baking dish, and add some chicken broth or turkey stock to the pan. The meat will absorb some of the liquid as it heats, making it nice and juicy. Cover the pan tightly with foil and place it in the oven until the meat is hot, 20 to 30 minutes.

Turkey Sandwiches

One of the most classic and beloved ways to enjoy leftover turkey is by making a delicious sandwich. Whether you prefer a simple turkey and mayo combo or a more elaborate creation with cranberry sauce and stuffing, the options are endless.

Cooked turkey and other leftovers can be kept in the fridge safely for about three to four days, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and FoodSafety.gov say. But after that time, "the risk of food poisoning goes up," the Mayo Clinic notes, pointing to the growth of bacteria in refrigerated leftovers.

Turkeys can be kept in the freezer indefinitely. However, cook turkeys within 1 year for the best quality.

When serving your turkey the next day, the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline advises that cooked turkey may be eaten cold or reheated. To reheat your turkey, USDA gives the following recommendations: In the Oven: Set the oven temperature no lower than 325°F.

FLASH REHEATING at a high temperature is a method often used by restaurants chefs. The concept is simple. Put room temperature food in shallow, covered pans, and put it in a 450 degree oven for approx. 7-15 minutes.

As you wait, the aromas diffuse through this big bird and even the inside tastes better. In the case of leftovers, what you've done is actually chopped up the pieces and put some broth on top of that. So when it cools, it picks up the aroma and the flavor of the broth and becomes tastier than the first time around.

Most stores will have these cut into smaller portions, repackaged and sold in their poultry section. Some pieces are thawed, cooked and sold at the in-store deli. In short, they end up selling their turkeys. The very few pieces not sold are often donated to local soup kitchens, a good tax write-off.

How do you crisp leftover turkey skin? ›

Preheat the oven to 375° and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread the turkey skin on the parchment and cover with another sheet of parchment and another baking sheet. Set a heavy ovenproof pot on top. Bake for about 30 minutes, until the skin is crisp and golden.

How Long Can You Freeze Leftover Turkey? Leftover turkey freezes well for up to six months if properly handled, packed and frozen within three days of the original preparation. However, I like to try and use it within three months for best flavor and texture, and to avoid the possibility of freezer burn.

The Fastest Way: Microwave

Be sure to add a little broth or butter to your stuffing before reheating to prevent drying out. Transfer stuffing to a microwave-safe dish and cover with a piece of parchment paper. Microwave for two to three minutes, stirring after each minute to make sure the stuffing heats evenly.

Is turkey still good after 7 days in fridge? In short, no. The USDA recommends using cooked turkey within 3–4 days, kept refrigerated (40°F or less). If you do want to keep it for longer, consider freezing it, ideally as soon as it has cooled down, on the day of cooking.

How long do the turkey and trimmings stay safe in the refrigerator or freezer? The answer is simple: leftovers can be kept in the refrigerator for three to four days. This means you have until the Monday after Thanksgiving to eat all those delicious leftovers or place them in the freezer to enjoy later.

It's generally safe to keep a cooked turkey carcass in the fridge for 3-4 days before making stock. After that, it's advisable to freeze it for longer storage if you don't plan to use it immediately. Like any other cooked meat, I wouldn't keep cooked turkey longer than about 3 days.

If you are not confident about the temperature of your refrigerator, cook or freeze the turkey within 4 days of purchase. Storage of Leftovers: Carve leftover turkey into slices before refrigerating to speed cooling. Refrigerate carved leftovers within 2 hours of eating. Use leftover turkey within 3 days.