If it stresses you out to roast a turkey for a holiday meal on the same day it will be eaten, theres a simple solution: make it ahead. Goodbye stress. It takes time and attention to prep a turkey, roast it for several hours, let it rest, and carve it. You can do all that in advance, refrigerate it for 1-3 days, and all you have to do is heat it up when its time to serve your turkey dinner. Oh, what a relief it is!
Sure, you and your guests cant enjoy that delicious aroma of turkey roasting in the oven on the day of the big meal. But, maybe thats worth it if you can be more relaxed, have a more leisurely pace as you prepare the other parts of the meal and enjoy more time to visit with friends and family.
This make-ahead turkey tastes amazingly yummy and moist. The only thing that is compromised is crispy skin. It softens when its made ahead and refrigerated. It still tastes good, but it doesnt have that pleasing crunch from being freshly roasted. So, if crispy skin is really important to you, this make-ahead method may not be a good choice. For me, its worth it to have a more relaxed day.
Honestly, sometimes Im so exhausted by the time we sit down for our holiday meal that I can hardly enjoy the food. Thats why Ive become such a make-ahead girl. I do as much as possible in the days leading up to a holiday meal. I also have make-ahead recipes for mashed potatoes, gravy, soft dinner rolls, and cornbread stuffing. With this make-ahead turkey added to the menu, my Thanksgiving or Christmas meals can be the most relaxed days of the year in my kitchen.
Frying a turkey has become a beloved tradition for many families on Thanksgiving or Christmas. The appeal is easy to understand – a deep-fried turkey comes out incredibly moist juicy and bursting with flavor. However, frying a whole turkey on the holiday itself can be quite an undertaking. It takes time, attention and care. So a common question arises – can you fry the turkey a day before the big meal and simply reheat it on the day?
The short answer is yes you absolutely can fry your turkey ahead of time and reheat it. However proper storage and reheating techniques are vital for food safety and maintaining moisture and texture. When handled carefully, a fried turkey made the day before can be just as delicious as one fried the same day.
Below I’ll provide a comprehensive guide on how to safely fry your turkey early, store it overnight, and reheat it to perfection on the big day.
Why Make the Turkey Ahead of Time?
Frying the turkey in advance offers several excellent benefits:
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Allows you to fry when it’s most convenient for you, instead of feeling rushed on Thanksgiving day.
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Frees up oven space on the big day if you need it for side dishes, pies and other items.
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Lets you focus your energy on other meal components like setting the table, prepping side dishes etc.
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Reduces stress and chaos on the holiday itself.
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Provides a backup turkey in case more guests arrive than originally planned.
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Allows the cooked turkey to soak up the flavors and juices as it sits.
Making the bird ahead of time takes the pressure off and sets you up for a more relaxed and enjoyable meal.
Food Safety Considerations
While frying ahead offers perks, it’s crucial to keep food safety as the number one priority. Raw poultry can contain bacteria like Salmonella. Frying cooks the turkey quickly and kills bacteria, but only if proper cooling, storing and reheating guidelines are followed after cooking.
The main risks with making a fried turkey ahead of time are:
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Bacterial growth if the cooked turkey is left at room temperature too long.
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Contamination if stored improperly.
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Undercooking if not reheated thoroughly to safe internal temperatures.
So let’s discuss how to avoid these pitfalls with safe handling.
Step 1: Cooling the Fried Turkey
Once the turkey emerges golden and delicious from the fryer, it’s vital to cool it down quickly to prevent bacterial growth.
Here is a safe cooling process:
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Let it rest 20-30 minutes out of the oil. This allows juices to settle for easier carving.
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Use a food thermometer to ensure the internal temperature has dropped to below 40°F within two hours.
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Place turkey in a shallow pan, and divide into smaller portions if needed to speed cooling.
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Do not tightly cover the turkey, as this slows heat transfer.
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Once cooled below 40°F, it is safe for overnight storage.
Proper, rapid cooling prevents bacteria from multiplying and keeps the turkey fresh.
Step 2: Overnight Storage
You did the work frying the bird – now store it carefully to preserve your efforts! Here are tips for safe overnight storage:
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Use shallow, covered containers. This prevents drying out.
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Refrigerate within 2 hours at 40°F or below. This prevents bacterial growth.
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Keep fried turkey away from strong smelling foods, as it can absorb odors.
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If you portion the bird, store slices tightly wrapped in bags or foil to retain moisture.
Proper overnight storage keeps your turkey fresh, safe and ready for reheating.
Step 3: Reheating the Turkey
This is the most important step. The turkey must reach an internal temperature of 165°F to eliminate any bacteria present.
Here are proven safe reheating techniques:
Oven Reheating
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Preheat oven to 300°F. Higher temperatures risk dryness.
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Place turkey in a baking dish, and add a little broth or oil to prevent drying out.
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Cover dish tightly with foil. Heat until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Microwave Reheating
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Microwaves can create cold spots, so extra care is needed.
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Heat turkey in microwave-safe dish, covered, in 30-45 second bursts.
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Check internal temp between bursts, reheating until 165°F is reached.
Shallow Frying Again
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Some people prefer crisping the skin by frying again.
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Only do this if oil is fresh, clean and hot enough.
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Fry just until 165°F internal temperature.
No matter the reheating method, use a food thermometer to guarantee the turkey reaches food-safe interior temperatures throughout.
Serving a Perfect Reheated Turkey
You did all the hard work – now it’s time to shine on Turkey Day! Here are my tips for serving up a mouthwatering reheated fried turkey:
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Let it rest 10-15 minutes before carving for ultra juicy meat.
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Carve the turkey in advance for faster serving on the big day.
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Arrange sliced turkey neatly on a platter.
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Garnish with fresh herbs and fruits for festive flair.
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Drizzle pan juices over the turkey for added moistness and flavor.
Follow these guidelines, and your guests will be amazed that your turkey was fried a day ahead!
Storing Leftovers Safely
Leftover fried turkey keeps well in the fridge for 3-4 days. To maximize freshness:
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Portion turkey into shallow airtight containers.
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Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours of serving.
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Reheat leftovers until steaming hot, at least 165°F.
With proper handling, fried turkey made ahead is a safe option that makes the holiday less hectic. You can focus on fun and family while serving up your moist, juicy and delicious bird! Give it a try this season.
A holiday meal stress buster! Roast and carve turkey in advance; reheat it to moist perfection.
- 1 roasted turkey*
- 1 cup chicken or turkey broth
Directions *See instructions for roasting a turkey at: www.theyummylife.com/Best_Roast_Turkey After roasted turkey comes out of the oven, cover loosely with foil and let rest 30-45 minutes to allow juices to settle. Carve turkey, slicing the larger breast pieces into 3/4″ thick slices. Arrange turkey slices and pieces on baking pan, with cut edges of breast slices pressed together to prevent them from drying out. Cover with plastic wrap, pressing it down onto the turkey to remove any air pockets. Cover entire pan with lid or aluminum foil. Refrigerate for up to 3 days. TO REHEAT: Remove pan of sliced turkey from refrigerator and rest at room temperature for 30 minutes. Remove lid and plastic wrap. Spread the slices out overlapping each one slightly, in an even layer in the pan. Drizzle broth over turkey. Cover with foil. Bake just until warmed through using one of these methods: FLASH REHEATING. Preheat oven to 450 degrees and heat covered pan of sliced turkey for approx. 7-15 minutes, or until turkey is heated through. STANDARD REHEATING. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and heat covered pan of sliced turkey for approx. 25-30 minutes, or until turkey is heated through. These reheating times are approximate. Ovens, pans, and depth of turkey can effect actual time required. Be careful not to over heat the turkey to avoid drying it out. TO SERVE: Transfer heated turkey to serving platter. Drizzle hot broth left in bottom of cooking pan over platter of turkey. Garnish with parsley and cranberries, if desired.
If it stresses you out to roast a turkey for a holiday meal on the same day it will be eaten, theres a simple solution: make it ahead. Goodbye stress. It takes time and attention to prep a turkey, roast it for several hours, let it rest, and carve it. You can do all that in advance, refrigerate it for 1-3 days, and all you have to do is heat it up when its time to serve your turkey dinner. Oh, what a relief it is!
Sure, you and your guests cant enjoy that delicious aroma of turkey roasting in the oven on the day of the big meal. But, maybe thats worth it if you can be more relaxed, have a more leisurely pace as you prepare the other parts of the meal and enjoy more time to visit with friends and family.
This make-ahead turkey tastes amazingly yummy and moist. The only thing that is compromised is crispy skin. It softens when its made ahead and refrigerated. It still tastes good, but it doesnt have that pleasing crunch from being freshly roasted. So, if crispy skin is really important to you, this make-ahead method may not be a good choice. For me, its worth it to have a more relaxed day.
Honestly, sometimes Im so exhausted by the time we sit down for our holiday meal that I can hardly enjoy the food. Thats why Ive become such a make-ahead girl. I do as much as possible in the days leading up to a holiday meal. I also have make-ahead recipes for mashed potatoes, gravy, soft dinner rolls, and cornbread stuffing. With this make-ahead turkey added to the menu, my Thanksgiving or Christmas meals can be the most relaxed days of the year in my kitchen.
Cook Ahead Turkey – How to cook, prep, store and reheat your whole turkey one day before
FAQ
Can you fry a turkey the day before and reheat it?
When serving your turkey the next day, the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline advises that cooked turkey may be eaten cold or reheated.
How do you reheat a whole fried turkey?
Preheat your oven to 300F, place the turkey on a rimmed baking sheet, and add a splash of chicken broth to keep it juicy. Cover it with foil and bake for 20-30 minutes until warmed through. This trick keeps the meat tender and the skin crispy–leftovers that still feel like the main event.
How long can you keep oil after deep frying a turkey?
Store the used oil in a sealed and light-proof container for up to 3 months. For best quality, refrigerate used frying oil that you want to use again. If the oil is clouded or if the oil starts to foam or has a foul odor, taste, or smell, discard it.
Can you prepare a turkey the night before cooking?
For me, prepping the turkey a day in advance and taking the time to get it to the stage where it’s ready to cook is a joy.
How do you reheat a fried turkey?
Drizzle 2-3 tablespoons of hot broth over the turkey just before serving. There should be some hot broth in the bottom of the reheating pan that can be used for this. Although making the turkey ahead takes just as much time to prepare, it requires very little time on the day of your holiday meal.
Can You reheat a Turkey before cooking?
Cooking an entire turkey is a big undertaking It takes hours to roast, and needs to rest before carving and serving With so much prep work involved, it’s natural to wonder – can you cook the turkey ahead of time and simply reheat it on the big day? The answer is a definitive yes!
How long do you reheat a Sliced turkey?
STANDARD REHEATING. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and heat covered pan of sliced turkey for approx. 25-30 minutes, or until turkey is heated through. These reheating times are approximate. Ovens, pans, and depth of turkey can effect actual time required. Be careful not to over heat the turkey to avoid drying it out.
Can You reheat a turkey if you have foodborne illness?
Don’t risk foodborne illness. On the day you’ll serve the turkey, plan on at least 2 hours to reheat it fully. Remove the turkey from the fridge and let sit 30 minutes before reheating so it heats evenly. In the oven: Heat oven to 325°F.
Can You reheat a Turkey drippings?
Serve immediately or keep warm in a 200°F oven for up to 2 hours until mealtime. Don’t leave turkey at room temperature longer than 2 hours. Since you’ve reserved the initial turkey drippings for storage, you’ll need to make new pan drippings to create your gravy on the day you reheat the turkey.
Can you freeze a Turkey After reheating?
Yes, you can freeze the leftovers after reheating. Allow the turkey to cool to room temperature, package it in airtight containers or freezer bags, and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. 9. What is the best way to store leftovers? To store leftovers, divide them into smaller portions and refrigerate or freeze them promptly.