Can You Freeze Whole Turkey?
Written by Jordan Morley · Reviewed against USDA FoodKeeper · Last updated 28 October 2026
Yes, you can freeze whole turkey. Best quality within 12 months; it stays safe beyond that at a constant -18°C.
What freezing does to whole turkey
Raw poultry freezes very well, and a whole bird has the longest window of any meat on the site (12 months in the FoodKeeper data), while cut-up parts are listed shorter. Freezing stops bacterial growth but does not kill the salmonella and campylobacter that raw poultry can carry, so safe defrosting and thorough cooking still matter once it comes out. FoodKeeper gives whole turkey a best-quality freezer window of 12 months. For comparison, the same database gives raw mince 3–4 months, raw steak 4–12 months, cooked chicken 4 months.
You can also check the calorie content of whole turkey alongside its safety information.
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More freezer essentials
Whole Turkey next to similar foods
| Food | Freezer window |
|---|---|
| Cooked Chicken | 4 months |
| Fried Chicken | 4 months |
| Raw Chicken Breasts | 9 months |
| Raw Chicken | 12 months |
| Whole Turkey | 12 months |
Of the 8 poultry foods in the freezing guide, whole Turkey has a best-quality window that is longer than 6 and equal to 1.
Whole Turkey: the other answers on this site
| Question | Short answer (links to the full page) |
|---|---|
| In the fridge | 1–2 days in the fridge |
Common questions
How long can you freeze whole turkey?
For best quality, up to 12 months (USDA FoodKeeper). It stays safe beyond that, because bacteria cannot grow at a constant -18°C; the time limit is about taste and texture, not safety. Label the pack with the date so you can use the oldest first.
How should I freeze whole turkey?
Freeze it fresh, well before the use-by date, in its original sealed pack overwrapped in a freezer bag, or portioned into freezer bags with the air pressed out. Do not stuff a bird before freezing — stuff it just before it goes in the oven. Do not wash raw poultry; it spreads bacteria around the sink.
How do I defrost whole turkey?
In the fridge on the lowest shelf in a covered dish so it cannot drip onto other food. A whole bird takes a day or more — plan ahead. Cook it within 24 hours of defrosting. A sealed bag in cold water or the microwave defrost setting are fine if you cook straight away; never defrost poultry on the counter.
Can you refreeze whole turkey?
UK guidance (FSA/NHS) is not to refreeze food that has been defrosted raw unless it has been cooked first — freeze the cooked dish instead. The USDA is more relaxed: raw food defrosted in the fridge can be refrozen safely, with a loss of quality. Food defrosted in cold water, in the microwave or on the counter should be cooked before it goes back in the freezer.
Fridge or freezer for whole turkey?
The fridge window for whole turkey is 1–2 days (USDA FoodKeeper). If you are not going to finish it inside that window, freeze it while it is still fresh, ideally in the first day or two, since freezing only pauses the clock and anything frozen late goes in with less life left.
Is whole turkey with freezer burn safe to eat?
Yes. Freezer burn is dried-out, greyish patches where air has reached the surface; it affects texture and flavour, not safety (USDA). Cut away badly affected areas if you like, and prevent it by wrapping tightly and pressing out the air.
How long does a frozen turkey take to defrost?
The USDA's rule of thumb is about 24 hours in the fridge for every 4–5 lb (roughly 2 kg), so a large bird needs several days — plan ahead for Christmas. If you are short of time, a sealed turkey in cold water takes about 30 minutes per pound, changing the water every 30 minutes, and must be cooked immediately.
Related answers
Primary source: USDA FoodKeeper.
General information only, not medical advice: see the medical disclaimer. Feeling unwell after eating something? Contact NHS 111 or your GP.