A turkey breast is a type of meat that is often cooked and served by itself or with other foods. It is a white, lean meat that has little fat and has a mild flavor. The breast can be roasted, grilled, or fried. The turkey breast is often served with gravy, cranberry sauce, and mashed potatoes or as part of a turkey dinner.
After cooking the turkey breast, you may end up with leftovers. Instead of storing them in the fridge, you may wonder if you can freeze cooked turkey breast.
Yes, you can freeze cooked turkey breast. Since it’s already cooked, it doesn’t require a lot of time preparing it for the freezer. All you need to do is wait for it to cool down, wrap it in plastic wrap, place it into a freezer bag, and put it into the freezer. Properly stored, cooked turkey breast will last for up to 6 months in the freezer.
Does Cooked Turkey Breast Freeze Well?
Cooked turkey breast freezes well due to the low moisture content in it. This makes it a great choice for those who want to save time by cooking one meal and freezing it for later use.
However, it is important to note that the quality of the meal will decrease over time due to freezer burn.
How To Freeze Cooked Turkey Breast
When it comes to freezing cooked turkey breast, the process is quite simple and doesn’t require a lot of time prepping it.
Before freezing the turkey breast, ensure that it has not been sitting at room temperature for longer than 2 hours. If so, it’s likely that it will be contaminated with bacteria, and freezing it will result in the meat becoming spoiled.
Below are the steps to freezing cooked turkey breast:
Step 1: Allow To Cool Down
Make sure the turkey breast is at room temperature. This means that after the turkey is cooked, it’s allowed to cool to room temperature before freezing.
Freezing the turkey breast while it’s still warm will result in condensation forming and damaging the meat during freezing. Also, the warm air from the turkey will cause other foods around it to prematurely thaw.
Step 2: Wrapping
Make sure that you have a clean dish towel handy. You are going to need this towel when you are wrapping your turkey in plastic wrap so that no juices will leak out during the freezing process.
Wrap each piece of turkey breast in plastic wrap. Make sure that no part of the meat is exposed. By wrapping them in plastic wrap, it will give the meat extra protection from the freezing temperature when it’s stored in the freezer.
Step 3: Place In Freezer Bag
After the turkey breast is wrapped, place them into the freezer bag. After all the pieces are in the bag, press on the bag gently to expel any excess air before sealing.
Step 4: Label and Freeze
With a marker, write the date of freezing on the bag. You will want to know when you’ve frozen the turkey breast and when to use it. After that, place it into the freezer.
How Long Can You Freeze Cooked Turkey Breast?
A frozen cooked turkey breast can last up to six months in the freezer if it is kept properly. Make sure that when you freeze your turkey breast for a long period of time, it’s sealed in a freezer bag or an airtight container. This will prevent it from freezer burn.
However, no matter how well it’s stored, it will slowly start to deteriorate in quality. This will usually happen after about 6 months in the freezer.
While the cooked turkey breast loses its quality, the meat will still be safe to eat. The only thing is that you may not enjoy the taste and texture of it.
How Do You Defrost Cooked Turkey Breast?
The process of defrosting a cooked turkey breast is not that complicated, but it can be time-consuming.
The best way to defrost cooked turkey breast is to let it thaw in the fridge. Let it sit in the fridge overnight and it should be completely thawed and ready to eat in the morning.
However, if you can’t wait that long, there is another method to thawed cooked turkey breast, which is using the oven.
Here are some steps on how to defrost a cooked turkey breast using the oven:
- Place your frozen turkey breast on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
- Place your frozen turkey breast in an oven preheated to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove from oven and set aside for 10 minutes
- After it cools to room temperature, you can eat it.
Can You Refreeze Cooked Turkey Breast?
Freezing cooked turkey again isn’t recommended. This is because of the bacteria that are present in the meat when it is thawed. Bacteria like listeria and salmonella can grow rapidly when the temperature rises and cause serious health problems for people who consume them.
Related Questions
Can you freeze cooked turkey after 3 days?
It is possible to freeze cooked turkey after three days, but the meat will not taste as good as if it were fresh. If you have leftover turkey, it is best to cook it or use it in a recipe that requires cooking.
If you do want to freeze it after 3 days, it’s important that the cooked turkey remains in the refrigerator at all times. The cool temperature will prevent bacteria from contaminating the meat.
Can you freeze leftover turkey pie?
Yes, you can freeze turkey pie if you have any leftovers! Just follow these steps:
- Make sure that the turkey pie is still warm.
- Line your baking pan with parchment paper and grease it with butter or cooking spray.
- Cover the turkey pie with foil and seal it tightly.
- Place it into the freezer for storage.