How long is leftover turkey good?
USDA treats leftover turkey like other cooked leftovers: 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator, or 3 to 4 months in the freezer for quality. Reheat to 165 F. Cut leftover turkey into smaller pieces so it cools quickly, and get it into the refrigerator within 2 hours.
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Switch foods in the main leftovers calculator. For the roast itself, use the 325 F timetable. Ham has a different storage row on leftover ham.
At a glance
| Step | Official window |
|---|---|
| Chill by | 2 hours, or 1 hour if over 90 F |
| Refrigerator | 3 to 4 days |
| Freezer, for quality | 3 to 4 months |
| Reheat | 165 F |
USDA treats leftover turkey like other cooked leftovers: 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator, or 3 to 4 months in the freezer for quality. Reheat to 165 F. Cut the leftover turkey into smaller pieces so it cools quickly, and get it into the refrigerator within 2 hours.
Date calculator
If Thanksgiving was Thursday and the turkey was chilled the same night, the 4-day end of the range falls on Monday. Do not use smell as your only test. When in doubt, throw it out.
Sources
Common questions
If Thanksgiving is Thursday, when does the leftover window end?
If the turkey was chilled the same night, the 4-day end of the USDA range falls on Monday. Do not use smell as your only test.
What temperature should leftover turkey be reheated to?
Reheat leftovers to 165 F.
How long can leftover turkey stay in the freezer?
USDA lists 3 to 4 months in the freezer for quality. The refrigerator window remains 3 to 4 days.
How soon should leftover turkey be refrigerated?
Within 2 hours, or within 1 hour if the air is over 90 F, the same as other perishable leftovers.