Recipes and Cooking How to Cook Cooking with Meat & Poultry Here's How Long You Can Keep Your Turkey in the Freezer for the Best Quality Exactly how long can you keep a frozen turkey that will still taste good coming out of the oven? Here you'll find out how long a turkey lasts in the freezer so you can start planning ahead for your big feast. By Katlyn Moncada Katlyn Moncada Instagram Katlyn Moncada is the associate food editor at BHG.com, sharing food news and tutorials on becoming better home cooks. She is a writer and editor with nearly a decade of experience in digital media, photography, and video production. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on September 23, 2021 Share Tweet Pin Email Buying a frozen turkey is one of the best ways to get the most important ingredient checked off your grocery list for Thanksgiving. But how long can you keep a frozen turkey? Maybe you bought two turkeys for your feast and it turns out you'll only need one bird for your gathering after all. For the best quality turkey, it's important to consider how long a turkey lasts in the freezer. After all, no one wants to waste food. Use the following expert tips to make sure the star of your meal will be good to go when its time for roasting. Con Poulos Get Our Guide to Roasting the Perfect Turkey How Long Can You Freeze Turkey? According to the Butterball Turkey Talk Line, you can keep a turkey stored in the freezer up to two years and it's still safe to cook. Make sure your turkey is unopened. If you have a fresh turkey and would like to freeze it for later, get it in the freezer before the "use-by" date on the package. For the best quality, the USDA recommends using the frozen turkey within the first year of storage. Thanksgiving dinner already over? You can freeze leftover turkey in a freezer-safe container ($9, Target) for up to six months if you don't think you'll eat it within four days from the fridge. Use Our Interactive Roasting Guide to Cook the Perfect Turkey (and Other Holiday Roasts) When it's time to roast your turkey, refer to this turkey thawing information to ensure your bird is ready to cook on time. Use our handy (and creative!) Thanksgiving menu guide for the most delicious feast ever. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit