How Long Is a Frozen Turkey Good to Keep In the Freezer?

Buying a frozen turkey is one of the best ways to get the most important ingredient checked off your grocery list for Thanksgiving (especially if you spot the perfect bird on sale weeks before the big day!). But how long is a frozen turkey good to keep in the freezer? Maybe you bought two turkeys for your feast, and you’ll only need one bird for your gathering. For the best quality turkey, make sure to consider how long a turkey lasts in the freezer. After all, no one wants to waste food.

Use the following expert tips to make sure the star of your meal will be good to go when it’s time for roasting.

How Long Can You Store a Frozen Turkey?

According to the Butterball Turkey Talk Line, you can keep a turkey stored in the freezer for up to two years, and it’s still safe to cook. You might, however, end up dealing with a not-so-tasty bird keeping it that long. It’s essential to store it correctly to avoid freezer burn.

The Best Way to Freeze Turkey

If you decide to freeze a whole turkey for long term, keep these safety tips in mind:

• Make sure your turkey is unopened.
• If you have a fresh turkey and would like to freeze it for later, get it in the freezer before the “use-by” date on the package.
• The USDA recommends using frozen turkey within the first year of storage for the best quality.

Already have a frozen turkey to prep for a big feast? When it’s time to roast your turkey, refer to this turkey thawing information to ensure your bird is ready to cook on time. Use our handy (and creative!) Thanksgiving menu guide for the most delicious feast ever.

How to Thaw a Frozen Turkey

For safety, thaw frozen turkeys in the refrigerator, allowing 1 day for each 4 pounds of turkey plus 1 additional day (5 days for a 15 lb. turkey). The turkey is ready for roasting when no ice crystals remain in the body cavity.

How to Freeze Cooked Turkey

If Thanksgiving dinner is already over, you can freeze leftover turkey in a freezer-safe container for up to six months if you don’t think you’ll eat it within four days from the fridge. From there, use that frozen turkey to create delicious dishes such as chili or shepherd’s pie.

How to Use Leftover Turkey

To know how long the rest of the leftovers (or the cooked bird) will last from dinner, refer to this guide. Then, check out our post-Thanksgiving recipes for creative meals that make the best use of your leftover turkey, including a Garden Turkey Melt sandwich and a lunch-friendly Pad Thai—just swap out the chicken called for in the recipe with turkey.