Cooked turkey that has been in the refrigerator for 7 days is generally not considered safe to eat and should be thrown away. Food safety agencies advise using cooked turkey within 3–4 days when refrigerated at or below 40°F (4°C).
Recommended time limits
- Most public health and food safety sources, including the CDC and state health departments, state that cooked turkey and dishes made with it should be eaten or frozen within 3–4 days after cooking.
- After this period, the risk of bacterial growth and toxin production increases, even if the turkey looks and smells normal.
What to do with 7‑day turkey
- Turkey that has been refrigerated for 7 days is past the commonly recommended safety window and is better discarded rather than eaten or “tested.”
- For the future, refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours of cooking and either eat them within 3–4 days or freeze them (where they can keep for several months with good quality).
