The turkey was on Thursday, and it is now Sunday or Monday with a container of sliced breast still on the refrigerator shelf. Is it still good, or is it time to let it go? Here is what USDA, FDA and FoodSafety.gov say about cooked turkey in the refrigerator and freezer, along with gravy, stuffing, reheating and spoilage signs.
How long does cooked turkey last in the fridge?
The Short Answer: 3 to 4 days. USDA’s Turkey Basics page lists cooked turkey at 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator, and its Keep Food Safe chart and FDA’s chart list cooked poultry at the same 3 to 4 days. FoodSafety.gov’s chart lists cooked meat or poultry at 3 to 4 days too. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours of serving, or within 1 hour above 90°F, in shallow containers, and keep the refrigerator at 40°F or below. Gravy is a conflict: USDA’s charts say 3 to 4 days and FDA’s says 1 to 2. We count from the day the turkey was cooked, so a Thursday bird is best eaten or frozen by Sunday, with Monday as the outer edge. Discard turkey with mold, an off smell or a slimy surface.
For a complete pantry and fridge reference, see our Food Storage Guide. For related questions, see how long cooked turkey can sit out, whether gravy goes bad and whether turkey stock goes bad.
Cooked Turkey in the Fridge: At a Glance
Cooked turkey, refrigerated
3 to 4 days at 40°F or below, per USDA’s Turkey Basics page and Keep Food Safe chart
Gravy, refrigerated
3 to 4 days on USDA’s charts, 1 to 2 days on FDA’s chart. We’d use it early or freeze it
Stuffing, refrigerated
3 to 4 days on USDA’s Keep Food Safe chart
Thawed cooked turkey
Eat it within 3 to 4 days of thawing, per USDA’s Turkey Basics page
Left out on the counter
2 hours at most, 1 hour above 90°F, per USDA
Freezer at 0°F
Plain pieces 4 months, in broth or gravy 6 months, for best quality. Frozen food stays safe
Reheat to
165°F measured with a food thermometer. Bring gravy to a rolling boil
Mold, off smell, slimy surface
Discard it
Key Takeaways
USDA’s Turkey Basics page lists cooked turkey, and cooked dishes and gravy, at 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. Its Keep Food Safe chart lists plain or fried poultry pieces and pieces in broth or gravy at 3 to 4 days too.
FDA’s chart (March 2018) lists cooked poultry at 3 to 4 days, and FoodSafety.gov’s chart (reviewed September 2023) lists cooked meat or poultry at 3 to 4 days. FDA’s chart lists gravy at 1 to 2 days, while USDA’s charts say 3 to 4.
USDA says perishable food should not be left out of the refrigerator for more than 2 hours, or 1 hour above 90°F. It says to refrigerate or freeze leftovers promptly in shallow containers.
USDA says freezer times are for quality only, and that frozen foods remain safe indefinitely. Its pages give different quality windows, such as 4 months for plain pieces and 6 months for turkey covered with broth or gravy.
USDA says reheated leftovers should reach 165°F and gravy should be brought to a rolli
