To properly store our products, follow these tips:
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Refrigerate or freeze poultry quickly after the purchase. Try to do this within a half hour to prevent the growth of dangerous bacteria. Be sure to avoid the "danger zone", which falls between 40° F and 140° F.
Keep the freezer at 0° F and the refrigerator at 36° F. Check regularly with a thermometer to make sure the proper temperature is consistent.
In the freezer, pack foods tightly together so each item can keep the others cold.
In the refrigerator, pack foods loosely to allow room for air to circulate freely.
Seal packages well. Don't let them leak. After sealing, clearly identify them and mark them with a date before freezing.
Store poultry on the bottom shelf and in the back of the refrigerator to prevent leakage onto other foods.
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Guide to Storage
Use this guide to properly store PERDUE® products.
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| Products |
Refrigerated at 36° F |
Frozen at 0° F |
| FULLY COOKED PRODUCTS |
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| Breaded nuggets, tenderloins, strips, bites, and cutlets |
Until use-by date* |
Up to 6 months |
| PERDUE® SHORT CUTS® carved chicken or turkey breast strips |
Until use-by date* |
Up to 6 months |
| Turkey meatballs |
Until use-by date* |
Up to 6 months |
| READY-TO-COOK PRODUCTS |
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| Whole chicken and turkey or parts |
1-2 days |
9 months |
| PERDUE® OVEN STUFFER® Roaster |
1-2 days |
9 months |
| PERDUE® OVEN READY Roaster |
1-2 days |
6 months |
| Liver or other giblets |
1-2 days |
2-3 months |
| PERDUE® FIT & EASY® |
1-2 days |
9 months |
| PERDUE® PERFECT PORTIONS® |
1-2 days |
6 months |
| PERDUE® TENDER & TASTY™ |
Until use-by date |
6 months |
| Ground chicken, turkey & sausage |
1-2 days |
2-3 months |
*Once opened, use within 5 days |
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It's important never to thaw poultry on the counter, where bacteria can grow. Follow these tips on defrosting chicken and turkey safely.
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Thaw poultry in the refrigerator. A safe guideline to thaw allows 5 hours per pound.
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Or, immerse packaged poultry in cold water. Be sure to change the water every half hour.
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Or, use the microwave. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations.
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Thawing Times
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| Refrigerator |
Cold Water Immersion |
| For every 5 pounds, allow 24 hours in the refrigerator. |
For every pound, allow a half-hour in cold water. |
| 5 lbs. |
1 day |
8 lbs |
4 hrs |
| 10 lbs. |
2 days |
10 lbs |
5 hrs |
| 15 lbs. |
3 days |
12 lbs |
6 hrs |
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Protect raw poultry from other foods. We don't recommend unwrapping a poultry package before you're ready to cook; however, we do suggest overwrapping the package in plastic wrap, or placing it on a plate as it thaws.
Take note of appearance, touch and smell. The product should not be eaten if it appears gray, feels slimy or smells sour. When in doubt, throw it out.
It's OK to go from freezer to oven. You don't need to defrost poultry before cooking. All you have to do is increase the cooking to 1 ˝ times the recommended cooking time.
Cook poultry the day it completely thaws.
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