How Long Can You Freeze A Turkey Breast?
Turkey breast can be frozen for up to 12 months if it is properly stored. To freeze turkey breast, wrap it tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap, and then place it in a resealable plastic bag or a covered container. Label the container or bag with the date that the turkey breast was frozen.
If you have to keep it frozen longer, wrap the entire turkey inside a store-bought container in multiple layers of plastic wrap followed by multiple layers of freezer paper. Once it is cut, you can wrap the turkey in foil, wrap in plastic bags, then put in the freezer until the next time you want some turkey. If ground turkey is still in the packaging, wrap it up in foil and throw it into the freezer bag. Remove the turkey from the outside package, keep the turkey in the cooker bag, and put in a roasting pan.
All you need to do is put the turkey on top of a plate to catch any drippings, then put in the refrigerator for 1 -2 days. The only thing that needs to be done is make sure the freshly-made turkey is put into a freezer, unopened and unharmed, at 0 degC or lower. If you do have a fresh turkey and want to freeze it for later, be sure to place it in the freezer by the “use-by” date that is listed on the package.
As is true when freezing any kind of meat, it is important that you put the turkey in the freezer as soon as possible after cooking. It is important to know that if you freeze your turkey longer than six months, it will lose flavor. Since the freezing process only keeps food as fresh as it was when it went in, freezing a turkey 3 days after roasting it will mean the meat is on the brink of spoiled rather than the side of fresh.
Do not attempt to freeze a turkey on the verge of spoiling, it will still be spoiled rapidly once thawed. If, however, you are trying to refreeze a turkey that has been cooked, thawed, and heated, refreeze is unwise. Yes, you can re-freeze a cooked turkey that has been frozen before, provided the turkey was initially stored uncooked in a freezer, and that cooked turkey is completely cooled down before returning it to a freezer. If you really want to freeze the leftover turkey beyond 3 days, it is essential to keep your cooked turkey in the fridge at all times.
If you are wondering what you can do with the leftover turkey after freezing, I recommend a few of these recipes for leftover turkey (and I have got a few more coming up next week). Leftover turkey that is been frozen tastes just like you expect, and freezing is a great way to preserve it for later. Freezing is a great way to save time if you are planning on having another meal with family or friends, serving them a freshly cooked, frozen turkey rather than cooking from scratch again. If you have leftover turkey meat, or you decided to make your own turkey meat, then you will be happy to know it is also completely safe to freeze the meat.
Freezing your turkey into smaller, manageable portions will make it ready for you to use in a single serving, whenever needed. Freezing turkey meat in smaller portions will let you only defrost what is needed when needed; eliminating any waste of this tasty, lean, and healthy meat. Putting turkey meat directly in the freezer after cooking it will help to retain moisture, thus making it far more succulent when you are adding to future recipes. Raw turkey meat stays fresh up to 2 days when stored in the fridge, and one year when stored in the freezer (4 months when ground).
Raw turkey breasts may last in the freezer up to one year, but will stay safe past that time when kept at a constant 0degF. Cooked turkey breast can be kept in the refrigerator up to 3 days as long as it is refrigerated within 2 hours of cooking and is not kept between 40-140 degrees past 2 hours. For those preparing smoked turkey breast, keeping will effectively prolong its shelf life in the freezer up to six months.
Frozen parts of the turkey, including breast, will last in the freezer up to nine months at room temperature. Also, to maximize the quality, cooked turkey needs to be stored in the freezer within 2-6 months after cooking. According to the Butterball Turkey Talk line, it is possible to store the turkey in the freezer safely for up to two years, and it will still be safe to cook. Cooked turkeys may safely remain safely stored in a freezer for up to four months, according to the USDA.
If you place your frozen turkey into a refrigerator, you may be able to extend the refrigerated shelf life by 3 or 4 days, since it takes 1-2 days for the meat to fully thaw. To keep from spoilage, you should always refrigerate uncooked turkeys within two hours of purchasing them. Cooked turkey is safe to eat once you leave it out at room temperature for two hours, but it is important to keep in mind that germs can quickly grow on foods that are kept at warmer temperatures.
Wrapping each turkey breast piece in plastic wrap will provide cooked turkey breasts with additional protection from freezing temperatures while they are stored in the freezer. If you would like to achieve tender, shredded meat consistency when it is thawed, consider wrapping the cut turkey breasts using moisture-permeable packing materials like paper towels and plastic wrap before placing them into freezer-safe containers or zipper bags to store. The absolute best way to freeze leftover turkey is to look at the recipe card below and use the instructions to wrap with plastic wrap followed by cling-film.
Is a turkey that’s been frozen for 3 years still good?
When a turkey has been stored in the freezer for more than a year or even several years, it is safe to eat it. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, food that remains frozen continuously at 0°F or lower will keep safe indefinitely if kept in a freezer at that temperature.
How can you tell if a frozen turkey is bad?
It is the smell and texture of turkey that will tell you whether or not it is still good. No matter how long the date on the package reads, it is not safe to eat a turkey with a sour smell or slimy texture, no matter how long the date claims to be. This is according to StillTasty.com.
Can you freeze uncooked turkey breast?
Fresh turkeys, including hunted ones, can be safely stored in the freezer. Wrap the turkey tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap if it hasn’t already been packaged. Store it in an airtight bag for up to a year. The best way to keep turkeys fresh is in vacuum-sealed bags.