Don’t want to worry about roasting a whole turkey on the holiday? Whole turkey or turkey breast can be roasted and carved ahead and reheats beautifully with these easy instructions. No one will ever know you didn’t roast it right before serving!
Don’t want to worry about roasting a whole turkey on Thanksgiving? Whole turkey or turkey breast can be roasted and carved ahead and reheats beautifully with these easy instructions. No one will ever know you didn’t cook it right before serving! At the heart of any great Thanksgiving or Christmas meal is a beautiful roasted turkey. But the reality is that a whole turkey takes up a lot of space on the big day. If you roast and carve the turkey a day ahead, you can free up your oven and fridge for all of those beautiful side dishes. Not to mention that you save yourself all of guesswork over timing when it comes to serving the big meal.
The recipe below includes the straightforward method I’ve used for years to roast my turkey the day before Thanksgiving and includes a few new tricks that I learned when testing this method (including rubbing the pan with butter before reheating).
All of the credit for this idea goes to my mom. She says that her mom roasted turkey this way too. They both did most of the holiday meal work early in the week, and relaxed on the holiday. My memories of Thanksgiving as a kid are not of my mom running around trying to cook everything. Most of my Thanksgiving memories involve us going for walks as a family, playing games, watching movies, and doing the last minute tasks of setting the table and pouring drinks.
Roasting turkey ahead has always made sense to me, and it’s incredibly easy. Here’s how to do it.
Cooking a juicy, flavorful turkey is often seen as the most stressful part of hosting Thanksgiving. Many home cooks fret over perfectly timing the roast turkey so it emerges from the oven golden brown, tender and moist However, there’s an easy solution to enjoy all the delicious tastes and aromas of a home-cooked turkey without the last-minute rush The secret? Preparing your turkey ahead of time.
You can cook your turkey in advance, let it cool, carve it, and refrigerate or freeze the meat for reheating on Thanksgiving day. Pre cooking your turkey offers multiple advantages:
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You free up oven space and avoid oven timing conflicts on the big day
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It allows you to carve the turkey in advance when you’re relaxed, instead of rushing while your guests hover in the kitchen.
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You can make stock with the turkey carcass for rich gravy and other dishes.
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Your oven won’t heat up your kitchen for hours right when you’re doing all the other cooking.
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You’ll have one less thing to worry about on Thanksgiving morning!
Many experienced Thanksgiving cooks swear by prepping the bird in advance. Read on for a complete guide to safely cooking your turkey ahead of the holiday so your feast is flavorful, stress-free and memorable for all the right reasons.
How Far in Advance Can You Cook a Turkey?
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The optimal timing is 1 to 3 days before Thanksgiving. This ensures the best moistness and flavor.
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You can prep your turkey anywhere from 2 days up to 1 month before Turkey Day.
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Allow at least 24 hours thawing time for frozen birds before roasting.
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Refrigerate cooked turkey 3 to 4 days max. Freeze extra turkey up to 2 months.
Should You Brine the Turkey Before Roasting?
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Brining keeps the meat super juicy and seasoned. Highly recommended if you have the time!
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Fully thaw turkeys before brining. Submerge 12-24 hours in a saltwater solution.
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Avoid pre-brined and self-basting birds if you’ll brine yourself. The turkey will be too salty.
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Quick “dry brine” option – simply rub salt and spices on bird and refrigerate overnight.
How to Prep and Roast Your Turkey Ahead
Follow these steps for easy, delicious make-ahead turkey:
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Choose turkey size – allow 1 1⁄4 pounds per person. Fully thaw if frozen.
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Dry turkey inside and out. Rub skin with olive oil or butter. Generously season.
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Roast unstuffed at 325°F until thigh is 165°F. About 15 minutes per pound.
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Let rest 30 minutes before carving. Save pan drippings for gravy.
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Carve turkey and refrigerate meat immersed in drippings or broth up to 4 days.
How to Thaw and Reheat Pretreated Turkey
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Thaw frozen cooked turkey in fridge 24 hours before roasting.
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Place turkey pieces or whole bird in pan. Add broth or water.
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Bake at 350°F until 165°F. Baste with drippings. About 45-60 minutes.
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Make gravy with remaining juices. Serve turkey hot with gravy.
Turkey Roasting Times and Temperatures
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Whole turkey – 15 minutes per pound at 325°F oven temperature.
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Cook until thigh reaches minimum 165°F internal temperature.
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Use a meat thermometer to check temperature in multiple places before removing turkey from oven.
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Rest turkey 30-45 minutes before carving so juices redistribute.
Tips for Moist, Delicious Leftovers
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Let turkey cool before refrigerating. This prevents drying out.
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Carve turkey before storing slices – cools faster. Keep slices moist with drippings.
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Store stuffing separately – don’t leave it in cooked bird.
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Bring turkey to room temperature before reheating for even heating.
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Reheat gently in broth, gravy or au jus to prevent dry meat.
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Use turkey broth to keep cooked meat moist.
Benefits of Cooking Turkey Ahead
Preparing your Thanksgiving turkey in advance offers multiple benefits:
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Frees up oven space on the big day
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Allows relaxed carving without an audience
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Provides turkey broth from the bones
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Prevents overheating kitchen for hours
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Gives you one less thing to worry about!
With proper planning and these helpful tips, you can enjoy a perfectly cooked, tender, juicy turkey with minimal stress by preparing it ahead of the holidays. Take advantage of this time-saving technique and your Thanksgiving will be memorable for all the right reasons – togetherness, gratitude and delicious food shared with loved ones.
Step 1: Roast and Rest Turkey
Use any recipe or method for roasting your turkey. You can keep it simple or use a brine. Be sure that the turkey is cooked well to the proper temperature (see below) so that it is moist and tender. Then, perhaps most importantly, let the turkey rest for a full 40 to 50 minutes so that the juices have time to distribute throughout the meat.
Letting your turkey rest is one of the most essential steps to ensuring moist turkey meat. I find this to be one of the biggest advantages of roasting the turkey ahead. Since you’re not rushing to get the meal on the table, you can let that bird rest for a good long time.
As noted above, use your favorite method for carving the turkey. You want most of the slices to be a similar thickness so they reheat evenly. You’ll need to slice the meat off the drumsticks and wings (rather than keeping them whole), since pieces with the bone in will take much longer to reheat than sliced breast meat.
Why Roast Turkey Ahead
- Timing – No need to worry about the turkey taking longer to cook than you thought and delaying your meal.
- Low Pressure – Carving a turkey is a bit of a project, but even more so with an audience. There’s so much pressure when well-meaning guests are peering over your shoulder! Doing it a day ahead means you can take your time. (It also means you can pull up a carving tutorial on YouTube. No shame in that game.)
- Save Space – A roasted-ahead and fully carved turkey takes up WAY less space in your fridge than a whole bird.
- Less Mess – Roasting a whole turkey is messy. There’s roasting dishes to wash and a carcass to make into stock and dispose of. Roast it ahead and don’t add one more thing to your clean-up list after the meal.
- A Chance to Doctor – In the recipe below you’ll find all of my tips for doctoring your turkey before you reheat it. Add a bit of salt if it’s under seasoned. Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to brighten the flavors. You can even re-crisp the skin under the broiler to get a nice golden brown color.
Cook Ahead Turkey – How to cook, prep, store and reheat your whole turkey one day before
FAQ
Can you cook a turkey the day before and reheat it?
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, it’ll make the day a lot less stressful, too. The best part? No one will even know!
Can you partially cook a turkey and finish later?
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Food safety concerns:Partially cooked meat can harbor bacteria that can multiply if not cooked thoroughly in a timely manner.
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Proper cooking method:To ensure safety, always cook a turkey completely through in a single cooking session.
How do you reheat a turkey without drying it out?
“You’ll want to drizzle it with broth, gravy, or butter and reheat it in the oven covered with foil,” she says. “This helps the turkey retain its moisture.”Nov 26, 2024
Can a whole cooked turkey be reheated?
Cover turkey with foil and roast for 12 mintues per lb (10-12-Roasted 2-2.5 hours/12-14-Smoked 2.5-3 hours). Uncover, baste the bird with pan juices or butter and roast for another 1/2 hour or until internal breast temperature reaches 165°F. (Using a leave in thermometer is best for reheating your turkey.
Can you cook a Turkey a day before?
Yes, you can cook a turkey a day before! While traditionally, turkey is often cooked on the same day as the meal, there are methods to cook it a day in advance and still serve it moist and flavorful. Cooking a turkey a day ahead can be a great option for those who wish to reduce stress and save some time on the busy day.
Should you pre cook a Turkey before Thanksgiving?
Pre cooking your turkey ahead of time can make Thanksgiving day so much easier and more enjoyable No more slaving away in the kitchen while your guests are enjoying cocktails You’ll have more time to relax, visit with loved ones and put the finishing touches on side dishes while your already-cooked turkey gently reheats.
Can you cook a partially frozen turkey the day before Thanksgiving?
It is not advisable to cook a partially frozen turkey the day before, as it increases the risk of bacteria growth. Ensure the turkey is completely thawed before cooking. In conclusion, cooking a turkey the day before Thanksgiving is a viable option that can make your holiday meal preparation less stressful.
Should you stuff a Turkey before cooking?
If you plan to stuff your turkey, prepare the stuffing the day before but do not stuff the turkey until right before cooking. Make sure the stuffing is completely cooled before refrigerating it. Storing your prepped turkey properly is essential to maintain its freshness.
How do you cook a Turkey the next day?
The next day, when you’re ready to serve the turkey: 1. Preheat your oven to a low temperature, around 325°F (165°C). 2. Place the turkey, covered with foil, in the oven for about 30 minutes. 3. Check the turkey’s internal temperature to ensure it reaches a safe minimum of 165°F (74°C).
Should you roast a Turkey on the same day?
If it stresses you out to roast a turkey for a holiday meal on the same day it will be eaten, there’s 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.