A raw turkey that smells strongly off, feels slimy or sticky, looks unusually dull or discolored, or has been in the refrigerator longer than 1 to 2 days should be thrown out. When you are unsure, do not cook it. The USDA says to refrigerate fresh poultry at 40°F or below and use it within 1 to 2 days, or freeze it; frozen turkey stays safe indefinitely, with quality best for about a year for a whole bird. Cooking will not make a spoiled turkey safe. See how long to thaw a turkey and the turkey techniques and food safety hub. Also see the Thanksgiving guide.
Dates, time in the fridge, and obvious spoilage
Follow the use-by or freeze-by date on the package, and still treat “fresh” raw turkey as a 1-to-2-day refrigerator food once it is home, including after a refrigerator thaw. Keep the fridge at 40°F or below, checked with an appliance thermometer. Store the turkey on a tray, preferably on a lower shelf, so juices cannot drip onto other food. A mild, meaty smell can be normal; a sour, sulfurous or clearly rotten odor is not. Slimy or tacky skin, a sticky package, or a color that looks wrong for raw poultry are reasons to discard the bird.
Do not taste raw turkey to “see if it is all right,” and do not rinse it; rinsing spreads bacteria around the sink. If the turkey thawed on the counter, treat that as unsafe, even if it still looks fine. Related: the USDA food-safety basics and cold-storage chart and the USDA guidance on fresh poultry.
Frozen turkey that has been kept at 0°F is a quality question more than a safety one; freezer burn can dry the surface, but it is not the same as spoilage from a warm fridge. If a frozen turkey thawed and then sat too long in the refrigerator, go back to the 1-to-2-day clock. When in doubt, throw it out and make another plan, such as a turkey breast you can trust or a different main dish.
Wash the sink, board and your hands after you handle a bird you decide to discard, and put the turkey in a sealed bag in the trash so it cannot leak. Do not try to “save” a questionable turkey by washing it in vinegar or cooking it longer. For cooked leftover turkey, which is a different question, see how long Thanksgiving leftovers last.
Frequently asked questions
How long can a raw turkey stay in the fridge?
The USDA says to use fresh poultry within 1 to 2 days, or freeze it. That includes a turkey after a refrigerator thaw.
The date has passed, but it smells fine. Can I cook it?
Be conservative. Follow the date and the 1-to-2-day refrigerator window. When you are unsure, throw it out.
Will cooking fix a slimy or smelly turkey?
No. A spoiled turkey should be discarded, not roasted in the hope that heat will make it safe.
Helpful kitchen tools
- OXO Good Grips Chef’s Precision Digital Instant Read Thermometer — Useful for the turkey you do cook, once you have decided the raw bird is sound.
- ThermoPro TP01B Instant Read Meat Thermometer — A second thermometer for the breast, thigh and wing after a safe bird goes in the oven.
- Cuisinart Stainless 16-Inch Roasting Pan with Rack and Deluxe Basting Set — A tray or pan also keeps raw juices contained while you inspect the turkey.
- OXO Good Grips 11-Pound Digital Kitchen Food Scale — Weigh a turkey you plan to roast after you have confirmed it is still fresh.
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