No. You should not leave cooked or raw turkey out overnight. USDA leftover food-safety guidance says perishable food should go into the refrigerator within 2 hours, or within 1 hour if the air is above 90°F, and Thanksgiving leftovers are not an exception. Turkey that sat out all night should be thrown away, even if it still smells fine. For how long refrigerated leftovers last, see how long Thanksgiving leftovers last. For reheating turkey that was stored safely, see how to reheat leftover turkey. More safety notes are in the turkey techniques and food safety guide and the Thanksgiving guide.
The 2-hour rule is the rule
Bacteria can multiply quickly on turkey once it is in the temperature danger zone, between 40°F and 140°F. A platter that stays on the table through dessert, a long conversation, and bedtime has been out too long. The 2-hour clock includes serving time, not just the time after you leave the table. If you are eating outdoors on a hot day, use the 1-hour limit. Do not taste the turkey to decide whether it is still good; smell and taste are not reliable tests after a long sit at room temperature.
What to do instead
Carve leftover meat off the bone, spread it in shallow containers, and refrigerate it as soon as dinner is clearly over. A thick pile of warm meat cools too slowly in a deep pot. Keep the refrigerator at 40°F or below. Use leftover turkey within 3 to 4 days, or freeze it. If you already froze turkey and want to know what freezer burn means for quality, see {FREEZER}. Reheat leftover turkey to 165°F.
Raw turkey is not an exception
A raw turkey that thawed on the counter overnight is also unsafe. Thaw turkey in the refrigerator, in cold water that you change every 30 minutes, or in the microwave if you will cook it right away. If a raw bird sat out all night, discard it. The same time limits apply to stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes, and other perishable sides. When you are unsure, throw the food away rather than serving it for breakfast.
Frequently asked questions
What if the turkey was still a little warm when we went to bed?
If it was out for more than 2 hours, discard it. Warmth does not make the overnight sit safer; it keeps the meat in the danger zone longer.
Can I save turkey that was left out if I boil it or reheat it to 165°F?
No. Reheating does not reliably fix turkey that was left in the danger zone too long. Some toxins and bacterial loads are not a problem you can cook away after the fact.
How long can leftover turkey stay in the refrigerator?
Use it within 3 to 4 days if it was refrigerated on time. Freeze it sooner if you will not eat it in that window.
Helpful kitchen tools
- Stasher Silicone Reusable Food Storage Bags, 4-Pack — Reusable bags and shallow storage help you pack leftover turkey quickly when dinner ends.
- Pyrex Deep 9×13-Inch Glass Baking Dish with Lid — A lidded glass dish is a good shallow container for leftover slices.
- OXO Good Grips Oven Thermometer — A refrigerator or appliance thermometer confirms the fridge is at 40°F or below.
- TempPro TP19H 1-Second Digital Meat Thermometer — An instant-read thermometer is for reheating turkey that was stored safely, not for leftover meat that sat out all night.
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