How long turkey lasts after Thanksgiving The star protein will last four days in the fridge. In the freezer, it can last four months for best quality -- after that span it will dry out and lose flavor.

We love our Thanksgiving leftovers, but food safety experts caution us on food storage best practices to avoid accidental foodborne illness.

In anticipation of Thanksgiving, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is encouraging consumers to practice proper food safety — especially when thawing, prepping and cooking the star of the holiday: turkey.