How Long Can You Leave a Frozen Turkey in the Freezer?
Question: I bought a frozen turkey about a year ago but never got around to cooking it. It's been in the freezer the whole time - is it still safe to eat? If not, how long can you leave frozen turkey in the freezer?
Answer: It is safe to eat a turkey that has been kept in the freezer for a year - or even for several years. As the U.S. Department of Agriculture points out, foods that are kept constantly frozen at 0°F or lower will keep safe indefinitely.
When it comes to quality, though, the story is different. Over time, all frozen foods will eventually start to go downhill when it comes to texture, flavor and taste.
In the case of a whole frozen turkey, you’ll experience the best quality if you eat it within one year, as detailed here.
Since you’re right around that one-year mark, you can expect good results if you cook the turkey now.
See Also:
How to Thaw a Frozen Turkey (And How Not to)
How Long Can You Keep A Thawed Turkey in the Fridge?
Can You Cook a Frozen Turkey Without Thawing It First?
