How to Freeze Leftover Turkey

Don’t waste any of your leftover holiday turkey this year! In this guide, I’ll share How to Freeze Turkey that’s been cooked already, as well as how to freeze the turkey carcass for making stock. Enjoy the taste of the holidays for months to come! 

Can You Freeze Turkey? Yes! 

For the holidays, my family intentionally buys a bigger turkey than what we can actually eat on Thanksgiving Day so that we wind up with leftovers. After all, if I’m going to go through the trouble of roasting or smoking a whole turkey, I want to enjoy it for more than a single meal! 

Leftover turkey freezes well and can be used in all kinds of soups, casseroles, sandwiches, and more in the months following the holidays. You can also free the turkey carcass after it’s been picked clean of the meat to use for making homemade turkey stock – it’s the BEST base for soup you’ll ever try! 

In this guide, I’ll be focusing on freezing leftover cooked turkey and will share a few different methods for doing so. You can of course freeze a fresh turkey (i.e. a raw whole turkey), but that’s a whole other beast that includes specific thaw times, brining methods, etc.  

Read on for detailed instructions on how to freeze cooked turkey, including the carcass, so that no part of your Thanksgiving feast goes to waste! 

Tools Needed for Freezing Turkey 

Cooked turkey is a dish I look forward to each year in the lead up to Thanksgiving. However, this type of meat is prone to drying out so it’s important that you use specific pieces of kitchen equipment for freezing it. You want your bird to stay moist even after being frozen! 

• Large knife and cutting board — For removing the turkey meat from the bone and then cutting it into slices or cubes. 
• Vacuum sealer and bags (optional) —  Vacuum seal bags are the best way to prevent frozen turkey from developing freezer burn. However, regular zip-top freezer bags they’ll work too! 
• Quart-sized freezer bags — It’s important that you use freezer bags and not regular zip-top bags to prevent freezer burn. I prefer using quart-sized freezer bags so I can thaw smaller portions of turkey for using in recipes, but freeze in any size bag you like. 
• Measuring cup — If a quart-sized freezer bag is too large for your needs, you can also freeze the leftover turkey in 1-cup portions. 
• Aluminum foil or plastic wrap — If freezing the turkey in 1-cup portions, I recommend wrapping each portion in foil or plastic wrap before sealing in a larger freezer bag. This will make removing and thawing the smaller quantities of frozen turkey easier. 
• Labeling supplies — Always label frozen turkey with the date you made it, as well as how large the portions of turkey are (I recommend freezing in 1-cup portions or in quart-sized freezer bags to make your life easier). 

How to Freeze Turkey (4 Ways!)

After cooking your Thanksgiving turkey, you’ll need to enjoy the leftovers within 4 days, or you’ll need to freeze them for later. 

Leftover cooked turkey can be frozen whole, in cubes or slices, or sectioned into bone-in pieces (wings, drumsticks, etc). You can even freeze just the turkey carcass that’s been picked clean of the meat already for making stock later on! 

1. Freezing Cubed or Sliced Turkey (Recommended) 

The best way to freeze turkey for future use is in slices or cubes. I seal smaller amounts of turkey in quart-sized freezer bags so I can thaw exactly what I need for recipes in the future. 

1. After cooking the turkey, let it cool completely before beginning the freezing process. 
2. Depending on how you plan on using the frozen turkey, remove the meat from the bone and cut into slices or 1-inch cubes. 
3. Divide the prepared turkey into quart-sized freezer bags (or smaller bags, depending on your needs). This will make it easier to thaw the exact amount of turkey you need for future recipes. 
4. Remove as much air from the bags as possible before sealing. (If using vacuum seal freezer bags, you can skip this step.) 
5. Label, date, and freeze for up to 3 months. 

2. Freezing Turkey Pieces 

If you have whole drumsticks, wings, or other bone-in turkey parts leftover that you want to free as is, go for it! Bone-in turkey pieces will take up more room in the freezer, but you’ll be able to thaw and reheat the entire turkey piece for a future lunch or dinner — a real treat in the months after Thanksgiving! 

1. After cooking the turkey, let it cool completely before beginning the freezing process. 
2. Separate the turkey into your desired pieces (we usually just freeze the drumsticks and wings, but you can freeze any pieces you like). 
3. Wrap each piece in plastic wrap or foil. This helps prevent freezer burn and also lets you freeze all of the pieces in the same freezer bag without them sticking together.  
4. Seal the turkey pieces in a zip-top freezer bag. Remove as much air from the bags as possible before sealing. (If using vacuum seal freezer bags, you can skip this step.) 
5. Label, date, and freeze for up to 3 months. 

3. Freezing a Whole Cooked Turkey 

Freezing a whole cooked turkey isn’t practical as it’s going to take up an enormous amount of freezer space, not to mention it will take a long time to defrost and reheat. As such, this isn’t the freezing method that I recommend. 

But, it’s your kitchen and you can do whatever you like! If you have a specific reason for wanting to freeze a whole cooked turkey, leave me a comment at the end of this post. 

1. After cooking the turkey, let it cool completely before beginning the freezing process. You might need to chill the turkey in the fridge after sitting on your counter for 1 to 2 hours to ensure the interior of the turkey is completely cool before freezing. 
2. Wrap the entire turkey with two to three layers of plastic wrap. 
3. Then, wrap the entire turkey with two to three layers of aluminum foil. (Your turkey will likely be far too large to store in a zip-top bag, so that’s why you’re having to use so many layers of plastic wrap and foil.)
4. Label, date, and freeze the turkey for up to 6 months. 

4. Freezing a Turkey Carcass 

Many people freeze cooked turkey meat, but did you know you can freeze the carcass (i.e. the bones) as well? You can use the turkey carcass to make homemade turkey stock, which can then be added to any number of soups, stews, and casseroles. 

The turkey carcass is good for up to 1 week in the fridge before it must be frozen. It’s totally fine if there are still small pieces of meat still on the bones – that’s just added flavor! 

1. After removing as much of the meat from the turkey carcass as possible, seal it in a freezer bag or freezer-safe container. (Or, seal within a vacuum freezer bag to keep for even longer.) 
2. Label, date, and freeze the turkey carcass for up to 1 year. 
3. When ready to use, simply use in your favorite turkey stock or broth recipe as instructed. 

Tips for Freezing Turkey

• Package the turkey in a timely manner — Refrigerated leftover turkey is good for about 5 days before it must be frozen. 
• Do NOT freeze turkey that’s gone bad — Freezing turkey that’s gone bad won’t make it safe to eat again, so you’ll just have to toss it. 
• Freeze turkey in smaller portions — I recommend freezing the turkey in quart-sized freezer bags. The smaller quantities of frozen turkey are easier to thaw and means you can use exactly what you need for future recipes without having to waste any of the meat. 
• Remove as much air as possible from the bags — Excess air in the freezer bags is what causes freezer burn over time. This is where a vacuum sealing system comes in handy! 
• Label and date the turkey — Be sure to include the amount of meat contained in the bag as well for easy recipe reference.
• Use within 2 to 4 months for best results — Frozen turkey won’t go bad, per se, but over time it will dry out or develop freezer burn. 

How to Thaw Frozen Turkey 

I recommend thawing frozen leftover turkey using the same methods you’d employ to defrost any type of frozen meat. 

1. In the fridge overnight — This could take  longer depending on the quantity of turkey you’re defrosting. 
2. Sealed in a zip-top bag and submerged in cold tap water — You’ll need to change the cold water every 30 minutes until the turkey is thawed. I don’t recommend thawing a whole turkey in cold water as that would take hours upon hours to do! 
3. In the microwave at 30-second intervals — This only works when thawing smaller portions of turkey in slices or cubes. I don’t recommend this method for turkey pieces as the exterior will dry out before the interior thaws. 

Whatever you do, do not thaw turkey on your countertop! Frozen turkey left on the counter for a long period of time can easily enter the “Danger Zone.” This is the temperature at which bacteria starts to grow on the meat and makes it unsafe to consume. 

How to Reheat Turkey That’s Been Frozen

After thawing the turkey, you can reheat it using one of the following methods: 

1. In a slow cooker — Only recommended for large quantities or turkey or a whole turkey. 
2. In the oven — Place the turkey in a baking dish and cover with foil to prevent it from drying out. Bake for 10 minutes per pound at 325ºF. 
3. In the microwave — Only recommended for individual servings of turkey. Heat for 30-second intervals until warm. 

Frozen Turkey FAQs

Got questions about how to freeze turkey? Here are the answers to a few commonly asked questions. Feel free to leave any other questions in the comments on this post and I’ll respond with answers.

How long does turkey last in the freezer? 

Frozen turkey will last up to 4 months if frozen correctly. After that, the meat is prone to drying out or developing freezer burn. 

Can you freeze cooked turkey? 

Yes! Cooked turkey can be froen cubes or slices, in pieces, or whole. 

Can you freeze turkey bones? 

Absolutely! I always freeze the turkey carcass since it’s great for making soups and stocks 

Can you freeze turkey on the bone? 

Yes, you can freeze turkey pieces (like drumsticks and wings) that still contain the bone. Wrap them in plastic wrap before sealing in a bag to lock in moisture and prevent freezer burn. 

What is the best way to freeze leftover turkey? 

My recommended method for freezing turkey is in slices or cubes, off the bone, in quart-sized freezer bags. Always freeze turkey in smaller portions so you can defrost what you need for soups and casseroles in the future. 

I also like to freeze the turkey meat off the bone and instead freeze the bones (carcass) separately so I can make soup stock from it! 

How do you freeze turkey without it drying out? 

Vacuum seal freezer bags will be your new BFF if you freeze a lot of foods! But if you don’t want to invest in a vacuum seal system (I totally understand!), you’ll want to use zip-top freezer bags and remove as much air as possible from them before sealing in the turkey. 

For bone-in pieces of turkey (drumsticks, wings, etc) I also like to wrap them in a layer of plastic wrap before sealing in a zip-top freezer bag as added insurance against freezer burn, which is what dries the meat out. 

How long does it take to thaw a whole frozen turkey? 

Plan on thawing a whole frozen turkey for roughly 30 minutes per pound. The safest way is to thaw a turkey in the fridge, keeping in mind that larger turkeys will take 2 to 3 days to defrost. 

How long does it take to thaw slices of turkey? 

Not long at all! Thaw frozen turkey slices overnight in the fridge, or submerge in a sealed plastic bag in COLD tap water for 30 minutes to 1 hour depending on quantity and thickness of the slices. 

Recipes to Make with Leftover Turkey

Try Freezing Your Leftover Turkey! 

Next time you have too much leftover turkey, try freezing it to use later!

Did you love being able to extend the shelf-life of your turkey? Leave a comment below and give it a review for others to see what you thought of this tutorial.

On Instagram? Share your photo and tag me with @goodlifeeats and #goodlifeeatsrecipes. I’d love to see a photo of what you make with your turkey leftovers!

More Holiday Freezer Tutorials: 

Freezing cranberry sauce is a great way to savor this holiday favorite year round! This post will show you how to freeze cranberry sauce, ways to use your leftover cranberry sauce, and answer questions about freezing and thawing cranberry sauce.

On a similar note, you can also freeze fresh cranberries! This post will show you how to freeze cranberries, answer questions about freezing and thawing cranberries, and shares some of my favorite recipes to use frozen cranberries.

Freezing pie dough is a great way to save time when preparing for busy holidays! This post will show you how to freeze pie dough and how to freeze unbaked pie crusts.

Cookie dough freezes extremely well and is the perfect sweet treat to keep stashed in your freezer to instantly satisfy those sweet tooth cravings. Here’s how to freeze cookie dough and bake it later.

While you’re preparing a lasagna for dinner, you might as well make a second to freeze for later! In this post, I’ll explain how to freeze lasagna as well as how to thaw and reheat frozen lasagna.

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