Cooking & Baking

lillypaddle

(9,606 posts) Tue Oct 21, 2025, 09:44 AM Oct 2025

Question about thawing safety

Bought a FROZEN turkey breast (3 lbs), but it wouldn't fit in my freezer, so I kept it in the fridge. It has since thawed and the original label says to sell by 12/31/25. I'm going to cook it this coming Sunday (2 mos before sell-by). I think it will be safe, but I'm serving family - do YOU think it's good until sell-by date?

Thanks in advance!

5 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Question about thawing safety (Original Post) lillypaddle Oct 2025 OP

The sell by date means refers to the turkey in its frozen state only. hedda_foil Oct 2025 #1

Absolutely correct! SheltieLover Oct 2025 #2

If it's been thawed for 2 days justaprogressive Oct 2025 #3

Sunday is pushing it Kali Oct 2025 #4

Per the USDA NewLarry Oct 2025 #5

hedda_foil

(17,014 posts)

1. The sell by date means refers to the turkey in its frozen state only.

Reply to lillypaddle (Original post)

Tue Oct 21, 2025, 10:07 AM

Oct 2025

Once it's thawed, it's a plain old raw turkey breast, which needs to be cooked within 1-2 days to be eaten safely.

SheltieLover

(81,707 posts)

2. Absolutely correct!

Reply to hedda_foil (Reply #1)

Tue Oct 21, 2025, 10:09 AM

Oct 2025

justaprogressive

(7,158 posts)

3. If it's been thawed for 2 days

Reply to lillypaddle (Original post)

Tue Oct 21, 2025, 10:15 AM

Oct 2025

COOK IT NOW! (jus' sayin' )

Kali

(56,896 posts)

4. Sunday is pushing it

Reply to lillypaddle (Original post)

Tue Oct 21, 2025, 12:09 PM

Oct 2025

When did it become fully thawed? You are probably safe for 3 or 4 days after that.

NewLarry

(170 posts)

5. Per the USDA

Reply to lillypaddle (Original post)

Tue Oct 21, 2025, 03:05 PM

Oct 2025

a bird thawed under refrigeration is OK to refreeze.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media_file/2021-04/Lets_Talk_Turkey.pdf

BTW, ignore the right-wing BS about the shutdown at the USDA site.

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