{"id":1784,"date":"2022-08-17T11:42:00","date_gmt":"2022-08-17T11:42:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fueledwithfood.com\/?p=1784"},"modified":"2022-08-17T19:52:13","modified_gmt":"2022-08-17T19:52:13","slug":"how-to-tell-if-ground-turkey-is-bad","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fueledwithfood.com\/how-to-tell-if-ground-turkey-is-bad\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Tell if Ground Turkey is Bad: 3 Signs"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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How many times have you bought groceries, forgot about them, and then had to decide if they were still good to eat? While the sell-by or expiration date is a useful guideline, it\u2019s helpful to know the signs of when food is past its prime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So how do you tell if ground turkey is bad? There are three key indicators: smell, texture, and color. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3 Signs Ground Turkey is Bad<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1. It Smells Sour<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Fresh ground turkey has a subtle, almost neutral smell. If your ground turkey gives off a pungent odor, it\u2019s gone bad. Typically, bad ground turkey will smell sour or sulfur-like. This is a sign of bacteria growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. It Feels Slimy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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It\u2019s okay for ground turkey to feel moist, but it should never feel sticky or slimy. If the outer layer is slimy to the touch, your ground turkey is bad. If you\u2019re not sure, try breaking your ground turkey apart. It should be relatively easy to separate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. It\u2019s Not Light Pink<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Ground turkey should be a pinkish color. It may turn grey or yellow when it\u2019s bad. Sometimes the liquid in the package will also look discolored. Checking for a healthy pink color is essential when you\u2019re picking out a package at the grocery store. While you can\u2019t touch or smell packaged ground turkey, you can look for telltale discoloration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note that oxidation occurs when the meat is exposed to air. For example, if you open a package and don\u2019t seal it well enough the raw meat will get darker. While meat should not look dull or yellow, it\u2019s important to consider if discoloration is due to oxygen exposure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Long Ground Turkey Lasts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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According to the USDA, here\u2019s how long uncooked and cooked ground turkey lasts in the refrigerator and freezer. Remember, these are guidelines, so be sure to check for the signs above to determine if your ground turkey is bad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ground Turkey Type<\/strong><\/td>Shelf Life<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Refrigerated, uncooked<\/td>1-2 days<\/td><\/tr>
Refrigerated, cooked<\/td>3-4 days<\/td><\/tr>
Frozen, cooked <\/td>2-3 months<\/td><\/tr>
Frozen, uncooked<\/td>3-4 months<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

How Long Does Raw Ground Turkey Last in the Fridge?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ground turkey lasts 1-2 days<\/a> in the refrigerator. Sometimes I\u2019ll cook it 3+ days after purchase as long as it doesn\u2019t show any signs of discoloration, a rancid smell, or a slimy texture. If I don\u2019t plan to cook ground turkey right away, I\u2019ll store it in the freezer right when I get home from the grocery store.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Long Does Cooked Ground Turkey Last in the Fridge?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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According to the USDA, cooked ground turkey lasts 3-4 days<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When I meal prep, I\u2019ll cook for 5+ days at a time, and the turkey-based meals are typically fine that long. Always be careful and use your judgment when deciding if you should eat cooked turkey past the fourth day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Long Does Ground Turkey Last in the Freezer?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s best to defrost and eat uncooked ground turkey in 3-4 months<\/a> and use frozen cooked ground turkey in 2-3 months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Food in the freezer lasts indefinitely, but the quality isn\u2019t always the best, especially if it gets freezer burned. Freezer burn occurs when the frozen food comes into contact with air. Signs of freezer burn include ice crystals and discoloration. While burned food is still safe to eat, the taste and texture may be unappealing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Choose the Right Type of Ground Turkey<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Ground turkey is a mix of light and dark meat. Dark meat contains more fat (and more flavor). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can find ground turkey in a variety of lean-to-fat ratios. Keep in mind that while less fat means fewer calories and more protein, turkey with lower fat content is drier. To avoid dry lean meat, be careful not to overcook it and consider cooking it with a sauce. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re making a more substantial recipe, like meatballs<\/a>, opt for a fattier mixture like 85\/15 or 90\/10.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Turkey\u2019s recommended serving size is 4 ounces. Here are the macros and prices (in central San Diego) for 16-ounce packages of Jennie-O:<\/p>\n\n\n\n