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The best part of Thanksgiving is undoubtedly the leftovers. There are so many new dishes you can make with the components of a Thanksgiving menu! Ree Drummond especially loves to put leftover turkey to good use—just check out her recipes for turkey tetrazzini, leftover turkey shepherds pie, and leftover turkey soup. But if you just want to keep it simple and eat a big plate of leftovers, then youre probably wondering how to reheat turkey.
If youve ever zapped a slice of leftover turkey in the microwave only for it to come out unpleasantly dry, you probably realize that there are, indeed, right and wrong ways to reheat turkey. Do it the right way and your bird can taste freshly roasted days after Thanksgiving! Speaking of, did you know you can make a Thanksgiving turkey ahead of time and reheat it on the big day? Talk about a life saver! Below youll find all the advice you need to keep your Thanksgiving turkey perfectly juicy for the big feast and beyond.
Roasting up a beautiful juicy turkey is one of the highlights of any holiday meal. But figuring out how to keep the turkey piping hot and moist after cooking can be a challenge. You want to avoid having to serve up cold, dried out turkey to your guests.
Luckily, there are several easy methods for keeping your holiday bird warm for hours after it finishes cooking Here are 6 simple, foolproof ways to keep turkey perfect until it’s time to carve and serve.
Let It Rest Before Warming
Before taking any steps to keep your cooked turkey warm, it’s crucial to let it rest first. Resting allows juices to redistribute evenly throughout the meat.
After removing the turkey from the oven or smoker, let it sit undisturbed for 15-20 minutes. Tenting it loosely with foil will help retain heat. Resist the urge to immediately wrap or cover it tightly, as this causes steam to build up and continue cooking the meat.
Once rested, you can move forward with your warming method of choice.
1. Double Wrap in Foil
The simplest way to keep cooked turkey warm is to tightly wrap it in a double layer of heavy duty aluminum foil.
To do this:
- Cook turkey completely until the thickest part of the breast reaches 170°F and thighs reach 180°F.
- Let turkey rest 15-20 minutes afterwards.
- Wrap turkey very tightly in 2 layers of foil. Make sure there are no air gaps.
- Place a clean kitchen towel over the foil wrap for extra insulation.
This should keep the turkey hot for 1-2 hours after cooking. It’s the ideal method if your meal will be served shortly after the turkey is ready.
2. Hold Turkey in a Warm Oven
If you have a second oven available, you can keep the cooked turkey in the warm oven until ready to serve.
To use this technique:
- Cook turkey fully and let rest 20 minutes.
- Tent turkey in foil and place in oven preheated to 200-225°F.
- Add a pan filled with warm water to oven to create steam and prevent drying out.
- Hold turkey in oven up to 2-3 hours until ready to serve.
3. Use a Crockpot or Slow Cooker
A crockpot is ideal for keeping turkey warm for a long duration after cooking, up to 4 hours.
- Cook turkey completely, let rest, then transfer to a crockpot.
- Add 1 cup broth or water along with pan juices to the crockpot.
- Cover and cook on low for 2 hours, then switch to warm setting.
4. Slice and Hold in Broth
For turkey cooked well in advance, carve into slices, and hold in warm broth or gravy until ready to serve.
- Carve turkey into 3⁄4 inch slices after initial cooking and resting.
- Lay slices in a baking dish and cover with warm turkey, chicken, or vegetable broth.
- Cover pan tightly and refrigerate until ready to reheat and serve.
5. Reheat Slices in the Oven
If holding pre-carved turkey slices in the refrigerator, reheat them in a hot oven right before serving.
- Remove chilled turkey slices from broth and let come to room temperature.
- Place slices in a baking dish and drizzle with a bit of broth.
- Heat in a 425-450°F oven for 7-10 minutes until warm throughout.
6. Use a Chafing Dish
Electric and stove-heated chafing dishes are great for keeping pre-sliced turkey warm over a longer period of time.
- Place carved turkey slices in a pre-heated chafing dish pan.
- Keep chafing dish heat source on low to maintain temperature above 140°F.
- Stir turkey slices occasionally to ensure even heating for up to 4 hours.
Maintain Proper Temperatures
Regardless of the warming method used, always ensure turkey reaches safe internal temperatures. Cook to 165°F initially, and maintain a holding temperature of 140°F or higher if keeping warm for extended periods.
After 2 hours maximum at room temperature, turkey should be refrigerated or frozen until ready to reheat and serve.
The Key is Preventing Moisture Loss
The essential key to keeping cooked turkey warm without drying out is locking in moisture. Use broth, pan juices, or gravy to impart steam when holding or reheating. Keeping the meat in large pieces or slices will also help retain natural juices.
With the right technique, you can keep your holiday turkey perfectly tender and delicious for hours after cooking. Never serve dry, cold turkey again!
Can you cook a turkey the day before and reheat it?
Yes you can! If roasting a bird on the big day sounds overwhelming, cook your turkey a day ahead. This easy trick will not only save you time on Thanksgiving, itll make the day a lot less stressful, too. The best part? No one will even know! Simply roast your bird as usual, let it cool completely, then carve it into large pieces. Remove the wings, drumsticks, thighs, and breasts, keeping the pieces whole with some skin attached. Place the carved turkey pieces back into the roasting pan, cover well, and store in the fridge.
To reheat, preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Keeping the turkey in the roasting pan, pour a bit of stock (chicken, turkey, or veggie stock or broth will work) over the meat to moisten it. Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes to an hour, or until the turkey is warmed through. Then carve the turkey into slices and serve!
How do you reheat turkey without drying it out?
Quicker is not always better, and thats especially true when it comes to reheating turkey. The best way to keep leftover turkey moist and delicious is reheating it low and slow. Yep, that means stepping away from the microwave! Microwaves may heat turkey in record time, but they also dry out the meat and leave the skin unpleasantly chewy. Instead, turn to your oven return your Thanksgiving turkey to hot, juicy, just-baked perfection. Simply heat your oven to 300 degrees, put the carved meat in a baking dish, and add some chicken broth or turkey stock to the pan. The meat will absorb some of the liquid as it heats, making it nice and juicy. Cover the pan tightly with foil and place it in the oven until the meat is hot, 20 to 30 minutes. Before you know it, youll have fresh turkey once again!
How to Keep Turkey Warm
FAQ
How do you keep a turkey warm if you cook it too early?
If your turkey is done too early, things can get a little complicated, but it’s not the end of the world. If it’s done around an hour early, let it rest uncovered for about 20 to 30 minutes. Then cover your turkey with some foil and a thick towel or blanket to keep it warm.
What is the best way to reheat turkey and keep it moist?
Simply heat your oven to 300 degrees, put the carved meat in a baking dish, and add some chicken broth or turkey stock to the pan. The meat will absorb some of the liquid as it heats, making it nice and juicy. Cover the pan tightly with foil and place it in the oven until the meat is hot, 20 to 30 minutes.
How long can turkey sit out after cooking?
- Refrigerate leftovers in shallow containers at 40° F or colder
- Refrigerate leftovers that have been exposed to temperatures higher than 90° F within one hour
- Use refrigerated turkey and stuffing within 3 to 4 days
How do you keep turkey warm after carving without drying it out?
Once the turkey has come to room temperature, drizzle some warm turkey stock or broth (chicken or vegetable stock/broth will do too) over the cut pieces.Nov 7, 2024