Elderly turkey!

Cheapskate

DS had a free turkey from work last Christmas Eve (works in a supermarket) which I froze on Christmas Day, and it's been there ever since. I've suggested having it for Christmas Day lunch, but DH and DS aren't keen, saying "are you sure it's fit to eat?", so that's the question really - will it be safe to eat after almost a year deep frozen? I say yes, some friends agree, others don't.

The freezer hasn't been switched off at all during this time, by me or a power cut, by the way.

Thanks if anyone has any advice!

A xo

ellawood

I would eat it

tessie_bear

i would say the way to see is to defrost and have a look and a sniff....u might be better not finding out its past its best on xmas day when u havent an alternative iyswim

Butterfly_Brain

It is perfectly safe if it has been in the freezer, the only thing that might be affected is the flavour and texture

rising_from_the_ashes

It should be OK but I agree I wouldn't risk it for Christmas lunch and find it's not...

I took an elderly bit of mince out the freezer last night (after doing my inventory!) - it was dated sometime in Nov last year. I thought it if didn't look great once defrosted I'd cook for the dog but this morning by the time it had defrosted, it was horrible and didn't smell good at all (not even for the dog!)

Cheapskate

Thanks for everyone's comments - as I have never given anyone food poisoning, Christmas would not be a good time to start! I think I will get some sort of fresh meat in, defrost the turkey and cook it if it seems OK, or cook the new meat and chuck out the turkey. Seems a sinful waste of food, but I'm not so OS I'm going to risk going to A & E on Boxing Day!

A xo

I_luv_cats

Storage Times for the Refrigerator and Freezer

These short but safe time limits for home-refrigerated foods will keep them from spoiling or becoming dangerous to eat. The guidelines for freezer storage are for quality only. Frozen foods remain safe indefinitely.
For storage times for eggs and foods made with eggs, see Egg Storage Chart.
Category
Food
Refrigerator
(40 °F or below)
Freezer
(0 °F or below)
Salads
Egg, chicken, ham, tuna & macaroni salads
3 to 5 days
Does not freeze well
Hot dogs
opened package
1 week
1 to 2 months
unopened package
2 weeks
1 to 2 months
Luncheon meat
opened package or deli sliced
3 to 5 days
1 to 2 months
unopened package
2 weeks
1 to 2 months
Bacon & Sausage
Bacon
7 days
1 month
Sausage, raw — from chicken, turkey, pork, beef
1 to 2 days
1 to 2 months
Hamburger & Other Ground Meats
Hamburger, ground beef, turkey, veal, pork, lamb, & mixtures of them
1 to 2 days
3 to 4 months
Fresh Beef, Veal, Lamb & Pork
Steaks
3 to 5 days
6 to 12 months
Chops
3 to 5 days
4 to 6 months
Roasts
3 to 5 days
4 to 12 months
Fresh Poultry
Chicken or turkey, whole
1 to 2 days
1 year
Chicken or turkey, pieces
1 to 2 days
9 months
Soups & Stews
Vegetable or meat added
3 to 4 days
2 to 3 months
Leftovers
Cooked meat or poultry
3 to 4 days
2 to 6 months
Chicken nuggets or patties
3 to 4 days
1 to 3 months
Pizza
3 to 4 days
1 to 2 months


http://www.foodsafety.gov/keep/charts/storagetimes.html