Yesterday I was at Costco and bought one of their pre-cooked turkey breasts. Its located in the meats/prepared food section. Seen great comments about it over the years here on the Q threads, and have decided to try it.
It doesnt have heating instructions on the packaging. How would you heat this up, specifically, what temp and for how long? Its just under 4 pounds. Or…would you slice some and microwave to warm the slices? Would you cover it in some way to ensure keeping moisture in?
We are going out, Thanksgiving brunch, and will come home to watch football for the rest of the afternoon/evening. (GOOO EAGLES!!) Anyway, when you go out you dont get the opportunity to pick at leftovers later on, and coming days. I thought that we could heat this up and have available as a way of having leftovers. I will also make a few sides too.
Precooked turkey breasts are a convenient and tasty option for holiday meals or anytime you want turkey without the hassle of roasting a whole bird. They come fully cooked so all you have to do is heat and serve for an easy yet impressive entrée.
With minimal preparation, you can have tender juicy slices of turkey in about an hour. Follow these tips to reheat your precooked turkey breast perfectly every time.
Thawing a Frozen Turkey Breast
Many precooked turkey breasts are sold frozen. Be sure to allow enough time to thaw them before cooking. Here are safe ways to thaw:
-
Refrigerator This is the safest method. Allow 24 hours of thawing time per 4-5 lbs of turkey. For a 4 lb breast thaw for 24 hours in the fridge.
-
Cold Water Submerge the turkey in cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes. Allow 30 minutes thawing time per lb. A 4 lb breast will take 2 hours to thaw.
-
Microwave: Check your microwave manual for defrosting times and power levels. Cook turkey immediately after thawing.
Seasoning and Prepping the Turkey
Precooked turkey is often enhanced with a salt solution for moisture and flavor. You can further season it if desired:
-
Dry Rub: Coat the turkey with dried herbs before cooking. Classics like rosemary, thyme and sage work well.
-
Wet Rub: Make a paste of olive oil, mustard, honey and spices. Rub it all over the turkey.
-
Compound Butter: Mix herbs, citrus zest or garlic into soft butter. Slather it under the skin.
-
Aromatics: Stuff cavity with lemons, garlic and fresh herbs.
No need to stuff a precooked breast, as it’s already fully cooked. For even cooking, prep by:
-
Removing plastic pop-up timer if present
-
Tucking wing tips under
-
Tying legs together with kitchen string
How to Cook a Precooked Turkey Breast
Precooked turkey breast is easily finished by roasting in the oven. This yields crispy skin and juicy meat:
-
Oven Temperature: 325°F
-
Cook Time: About 15-20 minutes per lb. A 4 lb breast takes 1-1 1/2 hours.
-
Monitoring Doneness: Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part. Turkey is safe to eat and ready when it reaches 165°F.
-
Prevent Drying: Put turkey in a foil tent or roasting bag. Add 1⁄2 cup water to the pan. Baste periodically with pan juices.
The long, slow roast in the oven ensures the turkey is heated through without drying out.
Quick Ways to Heat Turkey Slices
For quick weeknight meals, you can heat portions of precooked turkey using these fast methods:
-
Microwave: Arrange slices on a microwave-safe plate. Cover with a paper towel. Microwave on High until warmed through, 1-2 minutes.
-
Stovetop: Warm turkey slices in broth, gravy, salsa or barbecue sauce in a skillet over medium heat.
-
Grill: Quickly sear turkey slices on a hot grill just until marks appear, about 1 minute per side.
-
Sandwich: Layer heated turkey slices on bread or rolls with cranberry sauce, stuffing and mayo.
These techniques give you flexibility when using up leftovers.
Tips for Moist and Tender Results
Follow these tips for the best results when reheating precooked turkey breast:
-
Allow enough time for frozen turkey to thaw completely in the refrigerator.
-
Use a meat thermometer to confirm the turkey reaches 165°F.
-
Roast low and slow in the oven at 325°F rather than higher temps.
-
Tent with foil and add water to the roasting pan to prevent drying out.
-
Baste periodically with the pan juices for extra moisture and flavor.
-
Let rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing for juicy meat.
-
Slice across the grain for tenderest texture.
-
Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours and use within 3-4 days.
Common Mistakes
It’s easy to dry out precooked turkey if you’re not careful. Avoid these common pitfalls:
-
Failing to thaw turkey completely before cooking.
-
Cooking at high temps which dries out the lean meat.
-
Not monitoring temperature with a meat thermometer.
-
Skipping the foil tent and pan drippings.
-
Cutting into the breast before it’s rested sufficiently.
-
Slicing with the grain instead of against it.
-
Leaving turkey out too long before refrigerating leftovers.
Serving Ideas for Precooked Turkey
Precooked turkey breast is endlessly versatile. Here are serving ideas:
-
Sandwiches: Serve hot turkey on rolls with gravy for open faced sandwiches. Pile leftovers on bread with cranberry sauce and stuffing.
-
Salads: Dice or shred turkey over greens, add bacon, avocado, cheese, nuts and dressing.
-
Wraps: Fill tortillas with turkey, cheese, lettuce, tomato and ranch or Caesar dressing.
-
Quesadillas: Top tortillas with turkey, peppers, onions and cheese then grill until melted.
-
Casseroles: Mix turkey with vegetables, pasta or rice and cheese sauce, then bake.
-
Soup: Shred turkey into broth with veggies and noodles or rice for a hearty soup.
With these easy instructions, you can serve moist, delicious precooked turkey breast anytime. Just remember to thaw properly, roast low and slow, tent with foil and use a meat thermometer. Enjoy your tasty turkey!
Re: Costco Pre Cooked Turkey Breast
This sounds like a great idea! I would warm it on very low…..200 degrees, or even put it in my crockpot on low. No more than 30 minutes total. You could even pour some chicken broth around it as a heat bath to keep it moist as well. Good luck!
How to Reheat a Fully Cooked Turkey Breast | Step by Step
FAQ
How do you reheat a precooked turkey breast without drying it out?
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.
How long do you cook a turkey breast that is already cooked?
DO NOT add water to the pan. Brush or spray skin with vegetable oil. Place turkey breast in 350° oven and heat until warm. 3/4 – 1.5 hours.
How do you heat a fully cooked smoked turkey breast?
Place foil-wrapped turkey breast in shallow roasting pan. Heat at 350° F for 1 hour and 20 minutes. Remove pan from oven and carefully remove foil. Place turkey breast back in pan and return to oven and cook for an additional 20 minutes.
How do you reheat a precooked turkey breast?
Our ultimate guide on how to heat a precooked turkey breast will tell you what you need to know. The best way to reheat a precooked turkey breast is to put it in a 325-degree oven for about 10 minutes for each pound of meat. You don’t have to cook it to 165, but we recommend heating it to 160 so it’s nice and hot.
How do you treat heat rash under the breast?
Heat rash under breast can be avoided by using loose under garments and providing proper aeration. Use unscented soaps, lotions and moisturizers in the affected area and always cleanse the area gently. You can also try applying a cool compress. Calamine lotion application will be helpful if you have itching in the area. If itching and irritation is severe, consult your dermatologist because it can be due to fungal infection also.
What temperature should a turkey breast be cooked to?
The internal temperature of the turkey breast should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit. * Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. This is the best way to ensure that the turkey breast is cooked to the correct temperature. * Let the turkey breast rest for a few minutes before serving.
How do you warm up a cooked turkey breast after refrigeration?
TO REHEAT COOKED TURKEY BREAST AFTER REFRIGERATION Preheat oven to 325*. 2. Place the Turkey Breast in a shallow pan with a small amount of liquid (water or turkey drippings) 3. Cover in foil and heat approximately 15 minutes per pound, until the internal tem- perature reaches 160*. How do you warm up turkey that is already cooked?
How long do you cook pre cooked turkey breast?
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. How long to cook pre-cooked turkey breast?
How do you make a pre cooked turkey breast taste better?
Pre-cooked turkey breast is often seasoned, but you can make a pre-cooked turkey breast taste better with a few simple ingredient additions and cooking tricks: Season the Meat: The first, of course, is to rub the turkey breast with the seasonings of your choice. The classic combination of rosemary, sage and thyme is a great place to start.