Did you place an order for the holidays? Use the instructions below to help with reheating:
Smoked turkey is a delicious centerpiece for holidays and special occasions. But enjoying those leftovers can be tricky. Improperly reheated smoked turkey often ends up dry and lacking flavor. With the right techniques though you can revive that tender smoky goodness. Follow this guide to expertly reheat whole smoked turkeys or carved turkey parts.
Overview of Reheating Smoked Turkey
The keys to reheating smoked turkey are
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Take it slow with gentle, even heat
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Maintain moisture sealed in
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Monitor temperature closely
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Avoid overcooking
For whole turkeys, the oven, grill, or smoker work best. Leftover sliced meat can be reheated on the stove or in the microwave or oven. With the proper handling, reheated smoked turkey will taste nearly as amazing as fresh off the smoker.
Reheating a Whole Smoked Turkey
To properly reheat a whole leftover turkey:
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Allow turkey to come to room temperature before reheating, about 1 hour.
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Rub the skin with oil or butter and seal tightly in heavy foil before heating. This keeps moisture in.
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Use low oven temperatures, around 250°F to 325°F. High heat dries out the meat.
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Monitor the internal temp with a meat thermometer. Target around 140°F. Don’t exceed 150°F.
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Allow the turkey to rest 20-30 minutes after reheating so juices redistribute.
At proper oven temps, plan on 15-20 reheating minutes per pound. Rely on an accurate food thermometer for best results.
Reheating Leftover Smoked Turkey Parts
For reheating already carved smoked turkey, the oven, stove, or microwave all work well:
Oven Method
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Preheat oven to 300°F. Place turkey slices or pieces in a baking dish.
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Add chicken or turkey broth or stock to add moisture.
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Cover with foil. Reheat 30-45 minutes until 165°F internal temperature.
Stovetop Method
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In a skillet over medium-low heat, place turkey slices with broth or stock.
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Cover and steam until heated through, 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Microwave Method
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Microwave turkey slices separately on a plate with a spoonful of liquid.
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Use wax paper to cover. Microwave in 30 second bursts until hot, resting in between.
Handling Food Safety with Reheated Turkey
When dealing with leftover meats, following food safety guidelines is critical:
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Refrigerate all turkey within 2 hours of initial cooking.
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Divide turkey into shallow containers for quick cooling.
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Use reheated turkey within 3-4 days and freeze the rest for longer storage.
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Verify internal temperature reaches 165°F after reheating.
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Avoid reheating turkey more than once. Toxin risk increases.
Follow these safety steps and use proper reheating methods to keep smoked turkey safe and delicious for several days.
Frequently Asked Questions About Reheating Smoked Turkey
How long does reheated smoked turkey last refrigerated?
About 3 to 4 days maximum. Discard if mold, smell, or sliminess develops.
Is it safe to eat cold smoked turkey without reheating?
Yes, if properly stored below 40°F. But reheating improves flavor.
What if my smoked turkey gets dry after reheating?
Try slicing and serving with gravy or broth for added moisture.
Can you use an instant pot or slow cooker to reheat smoked turkey?
Yes, on Low for 2-3 hours, adding liquid and monitoring temperature.
Enjoy Delicious Leftover Smoked Turkey
With the right techniques, you can revive leftover smoked turkey to juicy, smoky perfection. The keys are using gentle, even heat, keeping moisture sealed in, tracking temperature carefully, and following food safety best practices.
In no time, you’ll become an expert on reheating smoked turkey whether cooked whole or in parts. Get ready to keep enjoying those easy smoked turkey sandwiches and casseroles for days after your initial meal.
Suggested Smoked Turkey Breast Reheating Instructions
Defrost
Defrost your Meat U Anywhere BBQ fully cooked Smoked Turkey Breast in the refrigerator for up to three days prior to serving. Once thawed, carve it to your liking to eat cold, use for sandwiches or place slices on microwavable dish to heat and enjoy
Reheating
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Place the cold (not room-temperature) turkey breast in roasting bag, add ¼ cup of chicken broth to roasting bag for additional moisture
- Seal bag and place in rigid roasting pan, breast-side down, ensuring a moist, tender breast
- Cover the turkey breast with foil and place in oven.
- Drop oven temperature to 275°F. Reheat the smoked turkey breast approximately 5-7 minutes per pound. A 3-5 pound turkey breast would need to reheat for approximately 20-30 minutes
- Use caution when removing smoked turkey breast from oven and roasting bag
- Use a meat thermometer to check temperature
- USDA recommends cooking and reheating all poultry to an internal temperature of 165°F
Suggested Smoked Prime Rib Reheating Instructions
Defrost
Defrost your Meat U Anywhere BBQ Smoked Prime Rib Roast in the refrigerator for up to three days. Once thawed, slice it to eat cold, use for sandwiches, or place carved slices on microwavable dish and heat to your liking. Enjoy!
Reheating
*** NOTE: Smoked Prime Rib is prepared to Medium Rare. MUA cannot guarantee that reheating these items will not result in medium well to well done temperature.
- Preheat your oven to 275°F. Place the cold (not room-temperature) Prime Rib Roast in roasting bag and seal bag
- Place in rigid roasting pan and cover the Prime Rib Roast with foil and place in oven
- Reheat Prime Rib Roast for approximately 5-7 minutes per pound. A 5-7 pound Prime Rib Roast would need to reheat for approximately 25-35 minutes, depending on oven
- Use caution when removing from oven and unsealing roasting bag
- Use a meat thermometer to check meat temperature. Although many people enjoy prefer Prime Rib Roast rare or medium rare, USDA recommends cooking and reheating all red meats to minimum internal temperature of 145 degrees