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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.
Reheating a whole turkey can seem daunting. You want the turkey to come out just as moist, juicy and flavorful as it was the first time around. Fortunately, with some simple tips and techniques, reheating a whole turkey to perfection is totally achievable.
Why Reheat a Whole Turkey?
There are several great reasons to cook your turkey in advance and reheat it later:
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Save time on the big day – Roasting a turkey takes hours. Cook it 1-2 days before and simply reheat on Thanksgiving day to free up oven space and your time for other dishes.
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Make ahead for leftovers – Leftover turkey is great for sandwiches, casseroles and soups. Cook your turkey early so you can enjoy easy leftover meals.
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Buy a pre-cooked turkey – Grocery stores sell ready-to-eat whole cooked turkeys. Pick one up to skip roasting altogether!
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Cook when oven space permits – If you’re tight on oven space on Thanksgiving day cook the turkey ahead of time.
No matter your reasons for reheating a whole turkey follow these tips and it will come out moist and delicious every time.
Tips for Reheating Whole Turkey
Follow these simple tips for reheating whole turkey perfectly:
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Bring turkey to room temperature – Let it sit out for 1-2 hours before reheating. This helps it cook evenly.
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Use low heat – Cook the turkey at 300-325°F. High heat dries out the meat.
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Reheat thoroughly – Internal temperature should reach 165°F. Use a meat thermometer.
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Keep it moist – Baste turkey with broth and cover with foil to prevent drying.
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Let it rest – Allow turkey to rest for 20-30 minutes before carving for juicy meat.
How Long to Reheat a Whole Turkey
The time needed to reheat a whole turkey depends on a few factors:
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Turkey’s weight – The heavier the turkey, the longer it takes.
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Oven temperature – 300°F takes longer than 325°F.
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Frozen vs. refrigerated – A frozen turkey takes longer.
In general, plan on reheating a whole turkey for the following times:
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Small (10 lbs): 2-2.5 hours
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Medium (12-14 lbs): 2.5-3 hours
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Large (16-18 lbs): 3-3.5 hours
Use a meat thermometer to confirm the turkey reaches 165°F internally when reheating.
How to Reheat a Whole Turkey in the Oven
The oven is the best method for evenly reheating a whole turkey. Follow these simple steps:
Step 1: Prep the Turkey
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Remove turkey from refrigerator and let sit at room temperature for 1-2 hours before reheating. This helps it cook evenly.
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Check internal temperature with a meat thermometer before reheating. Turkey should be 40°F or less.
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Place turkey in a roasting pan, breast side up.
Step 2: Preheat the Oven
- Preheat oven to 300-325°F. Low heat is crucial to prevent drying out the meat.
Step 3: Add Liquid
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Pour 1⁄2 inch of chicken or turkey broth into the bottom of the roasting pan.
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You can also place slices of onion and celery under the turkey to add moisture.
Step 4: Cover and Roast
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Cover entire turkey tightly with aluminum foil.
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Roast for approximately 15 minutes per pound, until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Step 5: Uncover and Finish
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Remove foil and baste turkey with pan juices.
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Roast uncovered for another 15-30 minutes until nicely browned.
Step 6: Let Rest and Carve
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Allow turkey to rest for 20-30 minutes before carving.
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Slice turkey and serve immediately. Enjoy your perfectly reheated whole turkey!
Reheating Leftover Turkey Pieces
For reheating leftover sliced turkey pieces, use these quick methods:
Oven: Place slices in baking dish, cover with broth or gravy, and cover with foil. Bake at 350°F until 165°F.
Microwave: Put slices in microwave-safe dish, add a splash of broth, cover, and microwave until hot, 1-2 minutes.
Stovetop: Heat turkey slices in a skillet over medium heat with a bit of butter or oil until warmed through, about 5 minutes.
Storing and Reheating Leftover Turkey Safely
Be sure to store and reheat leftover turkey properly to prevent bacteria growth:
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Refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking.
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Store turkey meat in shallow airtight containers.
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Use leftovers within 3-4 days.
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Reheat thoroughly until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
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Do not leave reheated turkey sitting out for more than 2 hours.
Follow these tips and your leftover turkey will be just as delicious as the original!
Make Delicious Meals with Leftover Turkey
Leftover turkey has endless possibilities. Get creative with these tasty turkey recipes:
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Hearty turkey noodle soup
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Turkey tetrazzini casserole
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Turkey cranberry sliders
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Turkey salad sandwiches
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Turkey pot pie with biscuit topping
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Turkey enchiladas with green salsa
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Crispy turkey hash with potatoes and peppers
With proper storage, reheating and a little creativity, leftover turkey makes for easy, delicious meals. Enjoy your perfectly reheated whole turkey and leftovers!
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!
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 To Reheat & Slice A Holiday Turkey From InterStellar BBQ
FAQ
How can I reheat turkey without drying it out?
Our advice is to set the oven to 325°F. This temperature is high enough to heat the turkey thoroughly without drying out the meat.May 13, 2024
How long does it take to heat up a whole turkey?
Preheat oven to 375°F. Remove turkey from packaging and place in an oven-safe dish. Heat in the oven for 20–25 minutes. Rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
Can I 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!
How do you reheat a Turkey in the oven?
To reheat your whole turkey in the oven, remove it from the refrigerator and let it sit for one hour at room temperature. Heat the oven to 325°F, then place the turkey into a roasting pan breast-side down. The fat will trickle down the turkey and create a tender, juicy breast as the bird reheats. Wrap the turkey with foil place it into the oven.
How do you reheat a turkey breast?
Heat the oven to 325°F, then place the turkey into a roasting pan breast-side down. The fat will trickle down the turkey and create a tender, juicy breast as the bird reheats. Wrap the turkey with foil place it into the oven. The standard calculation for reheating is 13-15 minutes for every pound of turkey.
How do you reheat a turkey without drying it out?
Steaming is another gentle way to reheat turkey without drying it out. Place the turkey in a heatproof dish, cover it tightly with a lid or aluminum foil, and place the dish over a pot of simmering water. Let it steam for about 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. How do you reheat turkey without drying it out?
Can You reheat leftover Turkey?
Ideally, you want to eat refrigerated leftovers as soon as possible — within two to three days, per Windsor-Essex Health Unit. You should avoid reheating leftovers more than once. To mitigate food waste, try reheating smaller portions at a time. You can always reheat more turkey, but you can’t undo the reheating. 1. Preheat the Oven
Can You reheat a roasted turkey the next day?
But if you’re craving a reprise of your hot turkey meal, the reheated meat doesn’t have to taste rubbery. In fact, storing cooked turkey overnight and reheating it the next day can make it just as yummy and juicy as the freshly roasted bird straight from the oven — as long as you follow a few tips.
What temperature should a Turkey be reheated?
Even though it will add extra time to the reheating process, it’s best to set the oven to a lower temperature. The optimal temperature for reheating an entire turkey is 250°F. However, if you are tight on time, you can set your oven to 325°F. Do not heat your oven to a temperature higher than 325°F, or you will end up with a dry turkey.