It's Hard To Tell When Ground Turkey Has Gone Bad. Here's What To Look For

Ground turkey is often regarded as a healthier alternative to ground beef, though it depends on the fat percentage. As a result, it's frequently used as a substitute for things like turkey burgers and meatballs. When raw, ground turkey is usually a light pink color that might also look slightly beige, but it's not always easy to tell when this type of meat has spoiled. You have to check for any kind of foul odor or slimy residue because it might not appear spoiled to the naked eye, as per Today.

Ground turkey's light pink color doesn't always change as it spoils. It can sometimes lose its color and become slightly gray in areas, but if you're only giving it a quick glance, it's not so easy to notice; you're much better off opening the package for a quick smell and taste test. Fresh ground turkey should have little to no scent, so if you notice an odor that seems off, it's likely too old to safely consume.

It's best not to purchase ground turkey until you're certain you'll use it. That's because ground poultry has a short shelf life; if it isn't cooked right away, it will only last up to three days. After that, you risk getting sick — or wasting money on thrown-out meat.

"Ground poultry is the most difficult to see (if it's fresh) visually. It could go bad before it even browns, so that's why you need to eat it immediately," James Peisker, butcher and founder of meat delivery service Porter Road, told Today. Even once it's cooked, it should be consumed quickly, as it will only last about four days when cooked thoroughly, as per the USDA. Although cooking meat generally kills bacteria, such isn't the case when spoiled meat gets cooked. You still run the risk of food poisoning. That's because while it might kill the bacteria, it won't remove the toxins that were released (via LiveStrong).

If you don't think you have time to prepare your ground turkey before it goes bad, there is good news: you can easily freeze it. To properly freeze ground meat, the USDA recommends wrapping it in plastic wrap or storing it in a freezer-friendly plastic bag. Aluminum foil or paper designed for freezing would also work. Once frozen, the meat should be used within four months. While the ground turkey won't go bad in the freezer, it could start to lose its flavor and gain some freezer burn, resulting in a different color and texture as well.

To thaw the frozen meat, it's best to let it defrost in the refrigerator for at least 10-12 hours. But if you need it thawed quickly, the microwave is also an option. Simply thaw the food in the microwave using the defrost button, but be careful because food thawed in the microwave should be cooked immediately and not stored in a refrigerator or cooler for risk of food poisoning, according to Michigan State University.