Should fresh turkey smell a little musty?

[AlexC1981]

Hi All,

There's a bit of a whiff about the turkey this year. The smell is quite noticeable as soon as you open the fridge door. It's not a disgusting rotten smell, but it is definitely noticeable. Musty is the best word I can think of to describe it.

We don't often get a fresh turkey, so I'm not sure if this is ok or not?

[LaterLosers]

Have you taken all the bits out the inside? Usually come in a bag.

[rallye101]

Yes....smells off when fresh then goes away after a few day resting...this happened to me last year...

[Monkeylegend]

Surprised anyone can afford one this year what with the cost of cooking it as well.

[Golfgtimk28v]

No. Should be packed in an inert gas, and smell will be decomposition, which if killed recently shouldn't smell, freshly killed meat doesn't smell

Just means it is old, check for green mold.

Edited by Golfgtimk28v on Saturday 24th December 20:13

[boombang]

Does it smell fowl?

[AlexC1981]

It's in a cardboard box loosely wrapped it paper, which is how I received it yesterday. I assume the giblets are inside the bird in a bag as they were last year. Are giblets smelly?

I received it as a Christmas gift from my employer. Last year's turkey definitely didn't smell, and I know that because the year before it was very smelly and it got binned.

We have a cook from frozen turkey joint in the freezer as a backup and there are only three of us coming for dinner, so it's no disaster if we don't eat it. However, I'm not sure if I'm being a bit overcautious?

[Golfgtimk28v]

All meat is decomposing, doesn't mean it is inedible. Just check colour. The only issue with smelly meat is you can taste it as well after cooking.

[grumbledoak]

It's not usually the end of the world. We hang game on purpose. It is the cooking that kills any bacteria anyway.

If the smell is only slight you can just cook it. Otherwise soaking in milk, or salt and wash, or flour then wash, or I think vinegar then wash. I'm sure Google will help.

[AlexC1981]

Thanks all. Well, I'll leave it out of the packaging to air and remove the giblets in the morning. See how it goes.

As they say, the nose knows.

[LeadFarmer]

What's the use by date on it?

Aren't supermarkets selling frozen fresh turkeys this year? They were previously frozen and then thawed out and sold as fresh?
We bought a fresh turkey today from Aldi as they were selling them cheap, I suspect it had been frozen & thawed as it felt ice cold inside and came with giblets which usually only frozen turkeys come with.

[Monkeylegend]

Seems you are not alone.

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/rotten-alien...

[theplayingmantis]

What happened here? did you eat it?!

[AlexC1981]

Yes thank you, the turkey tasted fine and no surprise bowel movements either. The smell remained in the fridge for over a week afterwards! I had to throw away a box of eggs.

Thanks for all the advice given

[theplayingmantis]

good to hear. turkeys are typically hung, but never noticed much of a smell. i had a last minute 2 county dash for a last minute one up to peeles outside Norwich due covid changing christmas plans...left it in the boot of the car for 2 days which can get warm whn in use, and was one of the best i can recall flavour wise!

[Big Stevie]

We had a bad turkey a few years ago, we bought a fresh one just before Xmas, and upon unwrapping it it smelt awful and we had to chuck it. We got a refund from the supermarket after Xmas, but it ruined our Xmas dinner. We now only buy frozen. Don't want to take the risk.