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Turkey Basics: Handling Cooked Dinners |
Take-out Dinners Hot from the Oven
Eating Within 2 hours?
Pick up the food hot … and keep it hot. Keeping food warm is not enough.
Harmful bacteria multiply fastest between 40 and 140 °F.
Set oven temperature high enough to keep the turkey at
140 °F or above. Use a food thermometer to check. Stuffing and side dishes must also stay hot
(at 140 °F or above). Covering with foil will help keep the food moist.
Eating Much Later?
It's not a good idea to keep food hot longer than 2 hours. It is better if you:
- Remove all stuffing from the turkey cavity immediately and refrigerate it.
- Cut turkey into smaller pieces and refrigerate. Slice breast meat; legs and wings may be left whole.
- Refrigerate potatoes, gravy, and vegetables in shallow containers.
Reheating?
Reheat thoroughly to 165 °F or until hot and steaming. Bring gravy to a rolling boil.
In the microwave oven, cover food and rotate dish so it heats evenly. Follow the microwave
manufacturer's instructions.
Cooked and Refrigerated
Keep Cold Food Cold
Refrigerate cold food as soon as you get home (always within 2 hours). Serve your meal within 3 to 4 days.
Reheating a Whole Turkey is NOT Recommended. If you plan to reheat a turkey, cut the
meat into smaller pieces. Slice breast meat. Legs and wings may be left whole. Refrigerate in
shallow containers.
Exception: Cooked turkeys with the USDA inspection seal on the packaging have been processed
under controlled conditions. Follow package directions for reheating and storing.
Handling Leftovers
Perishable foods should not be left out of the refrigerator for more than 2 hours. Refrigerate or
freeze leftovers promptly in shallow containers.
Cooked Frozen Turkey; Side Dishes
Is the USDA Inspection Seal Visible?
This seal on the label tells you the turkey was prepared in a USDA-inspected plant. Read and
follow package directions for thawing, reheating, and storing.
No Handling Instructions on the Label?
Follow these steps:
- Thaw the wrapped, cooked, frozen turkey on a tray in the refrigerator. Allow about a day for
every 4 to 5 pounds. Small packages such as stuffing, gravy, or potatoes will thaw in less time.
Side dishes can go from the freezer to the oven.
- Once the cooked turkey thaws, eat it (either cold or reheated to 165 °F) within 3 to 4 days.
- To reheat turkey, cut the meat into small pieces. Slice the breast meat. Legs and wings may
be left whole.
Storage of Leftovers
It IS safe to freeze leftover turkey and trimmings — even if you purchased them frozen.
Wrap tightly for best quality.
Refrigerator (40 °F or below)
- Cooked turkey …… 3 to 4 days
- Cooked dishes and gravy …… 3 to 4 days
Freezer (0 °F or below)
- Turkey, plain; slices or pieces …… 4 mos.
- Turkey covered with broth or gravy …… 6 mos.
- Cooked poultry dishes, stuffing, and gravy …… 4-6 mos.
(Freezer storage times are for quality only. Frozen foods remain safe indefinitely.)
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Last Modified:
November 6, 2007 |
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