How to Cook a Fully Cooked Turkey Breast for Maximum Flavor and Moistness

Fully cooked turkey breast is a convenient shortcut to enjoying delicious turkey any time of year without the hassle of roasting a whole bird With its lean, tender meat ready to eat, a pre-cooked turkey breast makes assembling easy weeknight dinners or holiday meals a breeze However, even though it’s already cooked, proper reheating is key for bringing out the best texture and flavor. Follow this comprehensive guide to learn foolproof techniques for reheating fully cooked turkey breast to juicy, mouthwatering perfection.

Benefits of Fully Cooked Turkey Breast

Opting for fully cooked turkey breast offers many perks compared to dealing with raw turkey Here are some of the main advantages

• Convenience – Fully cooked turkey breast eliminates the work of seasoning, stuffing, trussing, calculating cook times and tending to a whole turkey in the oven. Just a quick reheating and it’s ready to slice and serve.

• Portion control – Pre-cooked turkey breasts come in convenient sizes ranging from 1 to 5 pounds, Take the guesswork out of how much turkey to buy and cook,

• Built-in seasoning – Fully cooked turkey breast is pre-brined and seasoned for optimized flavor.

• Year-round availability – Find fully cooked turkey breast in the grocery deli section any time, not just holidays.

• More lean meat – With no bones, skin or excess fat, 100% of fully cooked turkey breast is edible lean protein.

• Less waste – Shorter prep and cook time means less leftovers that end up getting tossed.

With all these benefits, it’s easy to see why stocking up on fully cooked turkey breasts is a winning strategy for quick and delicious everyday meals.

Tips for Maximizing Flavor

While pre-cooked turkey breast packs plenty of flavor on its own, you can take it to the next level with a few simple techniques:

• Brine before cooking – Soaking in a saltwater brine adds moisture and seasoned flavor throughout.

• Coat with herbs and spices – A flavorful herb rub adds instant taste and aroma.

• Glaze while cooking – Brush with your favorite glaze periodically for a sweet, sticky coating.

• Brown the exterior – Searing in a hot skillet or broiling gives a crispy, caramelized exterior.

• Infuse with aromatics – Stuff aromatics like citrus, garlic and herbs under the skin before cooking.

• Make a flavorful pan sauce – Simmer the juices after cooking with wine or broth for an easy sauce.

With the right seasoning tricks, you can take your fully cooked turkey breast from bland to beautiful.

How to Cook Fully Cooked Turkey Breast

While fully cooked turkey breast can be enjoyed cold, warm turkey is hard to beat. Here are foolproof methods for reheating fully cooked turkey breast:

Oven Roast

Oven roasting uses dry ambient heat to uniformly reheat turkey breast.

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with foil and place a roasting rack on top.

• Place turkey breast on rack. Tent loosely with foil to prevent over-browning.

• Roast for 15-20 minutes per pound until heated through to 165°F internal temperature.

• Let rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing to allow juices to redistribute.

Grill

The grill adds delicious smoky, charred flavor.

• Oil the grill grates well. Sear turkey breast over direct high heat 2-3 minutes per side.

• Move to indirect heat, close grill, and continue cooking, monitoring temperature until 165°F.

• Brush with glaze or oil during grilling to keep moist.

Broil

Broiling uses intense overhead heat to give a crispy exterior.

• Place turkey on a foil-lined broiler pan. Broil 4-5 inches from heat source.

• Broil 5 minutes per side until nicely browned. Check temperature and continue broiling until 165°F.

Sear and Simmer

This method combines a seared crust with a tender interior.

• Sear turkey slices or whole breast in an oiled skillet over medium-high heat 1-2 minutes per side.

• Transfer skillet to 350°F oven and cook until 165°F internal temperature, 10-15 minutes.

• Make an easy pan sauce from the drippings.

Poach

Gentle poaching keeps turkey breast extra moist and tender.

• Place turkey breast in a skillet and add chicken or turkey broth to mostly cover.

• Simmer over medium heat until cooked through, 165°F, about 15-20 minutes.

• Serve turkey drizzled with warm poaching liquid.

Sous Vide

This hands-off cooking method ensures the juiciest turkey breast.

• Seal seasoned turkey breast in a food-safe bag using a vacuum sealer or water displacement method.

• Cook in a 140-150°F water bath for 1-4 hours depending on thickness until pasteurized.

• Quickly sear exterior before serving for crispy crust.

Slow Cooker

Let the slow cooker do the work and infuse turkey with aromatics.

• Place turkey breast in slow cooker and add seasoning rub and any broth or sauce.

• Cook on low setting for 4-6 hours until fully heated to 165°F.

• Shred or slice turkey and serve.

No matter which reheating method you choose, use a meat thermometer to ensure fully cooked turkey breast reaches a safe minimum internal temperature of 165°F.

Handy Tips for Reheating Fully Cooked Turkey Breast

Follow these handy tips for foolproof results when reheating fully cooked turkey breast:

• Always thaw frozen turkey breast completely in the refrigerator before reheating.

• Monitor temperature carefully and don’t overcook or turkey breast will dry out.

• Let breast rest 5-10 minutes before slicing for juicier meat.

• Add broth or water to the bottom of roasting pan to prevent drying out. Tent with foil.

• Brush with oil or rub with butter before cooking for added moisture and browning.

• Slice against the grain for tender slices that don’t string.

Incredible Fully Cooked Turkey Breast Recipes

Fully cooked turkey breast serves as the perfect blank canvas for all kinds of easy, delicious recipes. Try these creative ways to savor pre-cooked turkey breast:

• Herb-Roasted Turkey Breast with Gravy
• BBQ Turkey Breast Sandwiches
• Turkey Apple Panini
• Turkey Mediterranean Salad
• Turkey Enchiladas with Green Chili Sauce
• Thai Turkey Lettuce Wraps

With the right seasonings and creative recipes, you can transform basic fully cooked turkey breast into impressive, flavor-packed meals perfect for busy weeknights or holiday feasts.

FAQs About Cooking Fully Cooked Turkey Breast

How long does it take to cook a fully cooked turkey breast?

Plan on roasting fully cooked turkey breast for 15-20 minutes per pound at 350°F until heated through to an internal temperature of 165°F. A 3 pound breast takes about 45-60 minutes.

Can you cook it straight from frozen?

It’s best to thaw fully cooked turkey breast in the refrigerator before reheating for most even cooking results. If reheating frozen, increase oven time by 50%.

What’s the best way to add flavor?

Brush with oil and seasonings before cooking. Glaze periodically while roasting or grilling. Infuse flavors by poaching in seasoned broth. Make a flavorful pan sauce from the drippings.

Should you slice before or after reheating?

For food safety and best texture, it’s recommended to slice fully cooked turkey breast after reheating until 165°F. Slicing beforehand can cause meat to dry out.

How can you keep it from drying out?

Use foil tenting when roasting and monitor temperature carefully. Poach or slow cook in broth. Brush with oil or rub with butter before cooking. Do not overcook.

Reheating and serving delirious fully cooked turkey breast is simple with the right techniques. With its convenience, built-in seasoning and lean meat, pre-cooked turkey breast is your new easy shortcut to deliciously moist turkey anytime.