How Do You Tell if a Ground Turkey isn’t Good to Eat?

Ground turkey meat¹ is highly nutritious and enriched with protein. From meatballs, turkey chili, and dumplings to meat sauce, there are multiple ways to turn ground turkey meat into tasty homemade meals.

This raw meat can be purchased pre-packed from any grocery store, but before storing it, it is better to know how long it can last in the fridge when frozen. Learn the preserving tips and factors to observe whether the turkey is bad or not.

1. Factors that Can Tell if Turkey is Bad

Even after so much effort is put into preserving turkey, it can go bad, or the meat can get spoiled. Below are some signs to notice if the turkey has already gone bad.

1.1. Odor

A fresh ground turkey does not smell. However, the meat can get spoiled if it is unwrapped too early and not used. If you sense an unpleasant odor while unwrapping, the turkey might already be spoiled.

1.2. Color & Appearance

Depending on the quality of the meat, raw turkey meat usually has a beige or light pink color. As time passes, the meat’s color turns dull, which is entirely normal, but it shows that it is not fresh.

Further, if you find turkey meat with a yellow, brown, green hue, or gray color, you surely would not want to eat it. The turkey, which has turned into one of these colors, is ready to go to the dustbin, especially when you can see the visible molds on it.

1.3. The Texture

Sometimes, it is possible that the color of the turkey meat looks fine and does not give off any rotten or foul smell. At that time, by touching, you can feel the texture of it, which is another way to tell if the turkey meat has gone wrong.

Now, if the texture² feels dry, sticky, or slimy, you need to toss it out and leave it there. Meanwhile, wash your hands properly with soap and warm water to avoid cross-contamination, as the turkey meat has already spoiled enough. 

1.4. Spoiled Taste

You may not have observed any signs of spoilage, such as foul smell, color, or texture, and you might end up cooking that turkey meat. However, if eating the meat gives you a bad or spoiled taste even when it is seasoned with different spices and cooked well, then it’s time to spit the turkey meat out of your mouth as it is no longer edible.

Tasting is the last method for determining whether food is spoiled or still edible. However, eating spoiled food can cause food poisoning, so it’s better to trash this kind of food earlier.

2. How to Preserve Turkey?

Depending on the situation, some possible ways to preserve the turkey for a certain period exist.

• For both packages, whether opened or sealed, it is better to store turkey on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator or in any coldest part of it. Also, the refrigerator’s temperature is important, which should be set to below 40℉, as it helps lower the growth of bacteria.
• Turkey meat should be left sealed if possible. Opening it exposes the meat to air, which increases the risk of spoilage.
• Another way to preserve turkey in the fridge is by wrapping up the packed turkey meat in a plastic bag, which can reduce the risk of cross-contamination.
• When a portion of turkey is used, and some part is left, it should be kept in an air-tight container to save up for the next day. Ensure that you remember the date of storage as even after preserving it can get spoiled after a certain period.

• The turkey meat must be kept in the freezer if you won’t be using it for a day or two. Ground turkey meat can be frozen for three to four months when the seal is not opened according to a report of usda.gov, but it can’t be said if it will still be edible to eat, it is crucial to remember the date of storage.
• After cooking, the leftover turkey should be placed in an airtight container as soon as possible or within two hours of using it to preserve it safely for eating.
• For safe eating, finish the leftover ground turkey within one to two days of storing it in the fridge to avoid the risk of food poisoning. 

3. How Long Can Turkey Be Preserved?

Ground turkey meat has a short shelf life. To keep it fresh, it should be used within two days of purchase. Ground meat spoils faster than meat chopped into slices, as there is more area for bacteria growth.

Always keep track of the purchasing date of turkey meat and how long it can be stored in the fridge. After cooking, turkey meat can be stored safely for 2-3 days before being eaten.

Further, turkey can be frozen for 3-4 months in an airtight container. Freezing can slow the development rate of bacteria but cannot stop it. When meat is preserved in the freezer for a prolonged period, its taste and texture become dull.

Checking for foul odor, texture, dryness, or color is always recommended before consuming it.

4. How Can a Spoiled Turkey Harm You?

Intake of any spoiled food, especially turkey meat, can cause food poisoning or various other food-associated diseases. Nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting are the common symptoms of eating rotten or spoiled turkey meat.³

However, people with weak immune systems might experience more chronic symptoms. So, in any case, if you have any uncertainty or doubt about the turkey meat, such as whether to cook it or not, it is better to dispose of it without giving it second thoughts.

1. Li, W. E. I., et al. “Sodium tripolyphosphate stability and effect in ground turkey meat.” Journal of Food Science 58.3 (1993): 501-504. ↩︎
2. Feoning, G. W., Gary Hargus, and T. E. Hartung. “Color and texture of ground turkey meat products as affected by dried egg white solids.” Poultry Science 47.4 (1968): 1187-1191. ↩︎
3. Kalinowski, Robin M., and R. Bruce Tompkin. “Psychrotrophic clostridia causing spoilage in cooked meat and poultry products.” Journal of Food Protection 62.7 (1999): 766-772. ↩︎

Last Updated on May 16, 2024 by Namrata