How to Cook a Precooked Smoked Turkey Breast to Perfection

Precooked smoked turkey breasts are a convenient shortcut to enjoying delicious smoked turkey flavor without the fuss of brining, seasoning, and smoking a whole turkey yourself. While precooked smoked turkey breasts are fully cooked as-is, properly reheating them is the key to bringing out their ultimate texture and finger-licking flavor.

As smoking enthusiasts we’ve experimented with all the best techniques for reheating precooked smoked turkey breasts to achieve the perfect balance of smoky depth, luscious moisture and tender meat with crispy skin. After much juicy trial and error, we’ve honed the ideal methods for cooking precooked smoked turkey breasts using the oven, grill, smoker, sous vide, and even the microwave.

Follow our step-by-step precooked smoked turkey breast cooking guide for guaranteed showstopping, crowd-pleasing results every time. Once you master these simple tricks, you’ll be able to enjoy deliriously delicious smoked turkey breasts any night of the week with minimal effort.

Getting Started with Precooked Smoked Turkey Breasts

Before diving into the different cooking methods, let’s cover the basics of what exactly a precooked smoked turkey breast is and how to pick the best one

A precooked smoked turkey breast refers to a whole turkey breast that has already been fully smoked and cooked by the manufacturer. This saves you the work of having to brine, rub with spices, and slowly smoke the breast yourself for hours to infuse it with smoky flavor and cook it through.

You can find precooked smoked turkey breasts sold refrigerated or frozen at most major grocery stores, usually near the fresh turkeys or in the deli section. When selecting one, we recommend:

• Choosing a breast between 2 to 5 pounds to feed 4-6 people. Larger ones may be unwieldy.
• Looking for the telltale pink “smoke ring” around the edges as a sign it was properly smoked.
• Checking for any tears or inconsistencies in color or texture.
• Opting for lower sodium versions if limiting salt intake.
• Picking one with the furthest out expiration date for maximum freshness.

Once you’ve picked the prime precooked smoked turkey breast, it’s time to prep it for reheating.

Prepping Precooked Smoked Turkey Breasts for Cooking

Preparing the precooked smoked turkey breast for cooking is easy. Just follow these three simple steps:

• Remove Packaging: Take the turkey breast out of any plastic, netting, or metal skewers used to hold its shape. Rinse briefly if desired.
• Pat Dry: Use paper towels to pat the skin and surface dry. This helps achieve crispy skin.
• Season (Optional): Though already smoked, you can add more flavor with a spice rub. Try olive oil, salt, pepper and herbs.

The turkey breast is now ready for cooking using one of our recommended reheating methods.

Oven Method for Reheating Precooked Smoked Turkey

The oven is our go-to for no-fuss reheating of precooked smoked turkey breasts.

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Place seasoned turkey breast on a rack in a roasting pan.
• Loosely tent foil over breast to prevent drying out.
• Cook approximately 15-20 minutes per pound.
• Baste with pan juices halfway through.
• Cook until internal temp reaches 165°F.
• Let rest 10 minutes before slicing.

Tips for Oven Success:

• Add chicken broth to the pan for a moist cooking environment.
• Remove foil last 30 minutes for crispy skin.
• Use a meat thermometer for perfect doneness.
• Resting allows juices to redistribute.

With minimal effort, the oven delivers a juicy, tender reheated smoked turkey breast the whole family will love.

Grilling or Smoking Precooked Smoked Turkey Breasts

Want to take the smoky flavors up a notch? Try reheating precooked smoked turkey on the grill or in a smoker!

Instructions:

• Prepare grill or smoker for 325-350°F indirect heat.
• Use apple, cherry, hickory, pecan or mesquite wood.
• Grill 1-1.5 hours over indirect heat until 165°F.
• Move over direct heat last 10 minutes to crisp skin.
• Brush with oil/butter regularly while cooking.
• Let rest 10 minutes before slicing.

Tips for Grilling/Smoking:

• Soak wood chips pre-smoking for more smoke.
• Turkey placement impacts cooking time.
• Close lid between bastings to infuse smoke.
• Apply a spice rub for another layer of flavor.

The grill or smoker draws out and intensifies the smoky essence of the turkey.

Sous Vide Method for Precooked Smoked Turkey

For unbelievably tender, juicy precooked smoked turkey, try sous vide followed by searing.

Instructions:

• Preheat water bath to 140°F.
• Season turkey and seal in a sous vide bag.
• Cook 2-3 hours until heated through.
• Remove bag, pat dry, and sear.

Tips for Sous Vide Success:

• The lower temp gently brings it up to temperature without overcooking.
• Searing gives a crispy exterior and super moist interior.
• Spices can be added to bag to infuse flavor.
• Simple yet effective for incredibly moist turkey!

With sous vide, your reheated smoked turkey is guaranteed succulent and delicious.

Microwave Method for Quick Reheating

While the microwave won’t brown or crisp the turkey, it does allow quick reheating in a pinch.

Instructions:

• Place sliced turkey on a microwave-safe plate.
• Cover with a damp paper towel.
• Microwave at 50% power in 1 minute intervals until warmed through, 2-3 minutes total.

Tips for Microwave Success:

• Cutting turkey into portions speeds reheating.
• Rotate midway for even heating.
• Take care not to overcook or turkey will dry out.
• Add heated gravy or au jus on top for extra moisture.

When you’re short on time, the microwave provides fast, fuss-free reheating.

Safety Tips for Precooked Smoked Turkey

When cooking precooked smoked turkey breasts, abide by these safety guidelines:

• Refrigerate promptly and use within 4 days of purchase.
• Always thaw frozen turkey breasts fully in the fridge before reheating.
• Wash hands, prep tools, surfaces before and after handling raw poultry.
• Use a food thermometer to confirm internal temperature reaches 165°F.
• Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours and consume within 3-4 days.

Following basic food safety precautions ensures your delicious turkey stays that way.

Serving Up Precooked Smoked Turkey Breasts

Once perfectly cooked, get creative serving your precooked smoked turkey breast by:

• Slicing for sandwiches, wraps or flatbreads
• Dicing in salads, rice/quinoa bowls, casseroles
• Pairing with classic Thanksgiving-style sides
• Adding to chilis, stews or soups
• Using in breakfast dishes like omelets or hash

However you choose to use it, follow our handy precooked smoked turkey breast cooking guide for mouthwatering results. Enjoy the smoky turkey flavor you crave without the fuss, any night of the week.