Something you can be confident of: When prepared properly, turkey is moist and tender straight out of the oven.
But when it comes time to reheat turkey, you might have a handful of questions: Whats the best way to reheat leftover turkey — breast, legs and all — without drying it out? How do you keep roast turkey moist? Should the turkey be covered or uncovered? How many times can you reheat turkey? Perfecting your leftovers can be a bit overwhelming.
The good news: After safe storage — with stuffing removed and the turkey stashed in the refrigerator within 2 hours of cooking — leftover turkey can be served cold. Eating it cold means you wont have to worry about the turkey drying out during the reheating process.
But if youre craving a reprise of your hot turkey meal, the reheated meat doesnt 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.
To prevent foodborne illness, use a food thermometer to make sure your turkey has reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit before serving, according to the University of Illinois Extension.
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 cant undo the reheating.
Leftover turkey breast is a delicious treat, but reheating it properly can be tricky. If you don’t use the right method, your turkey breast can end up dry, chewy, and flavorless. Fortunately, reheating turkey breast in an air fryer is a foolproof way to bring back all the juiciness and flavor you loved from your original meal.
With an air fryer, you can reheat turkey breast so it turns out just as moist and delicious as it was the first time around. Here’s a complete guide to reheating turkey breast in an air fryer for maximum juiciness.
Why Reheat Turkey Breast in an Air Fryer?
An air fryer is the ideal appliance for reheating turkey breast for a few key reasons
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Even heating The hot air circulates around the food ensuring the turkey breast heats evenly throughout. This prevents some areas from drying out while others remain cold.
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Crispy exterior The air fryer gives the outer surface of the turkey breast a crispy, golden texture that adds more flavor
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Retains moisture: The turkey breast stays juicy on the inside thanks to the air fryer’s rapid, enclosed heating method.
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Quick: Air fryers preheat and reheat food much faster than a traditional oven. You can enjoy delicious turkey breast again in just minutes.
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Versatile: Air fryers can reheat turkey breast slices of any thickness, unlike microwave ovens which work best for thinner pieces.
How to Reheat Turkey Breast Step-By-Step
Follow this simple process for reheating turkey breast in an air fryer:
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Preheat the Air Fryer
Preheating is an essential first step, so turn on your air fryer and set it to 360°F. This ensures the appliance reaches the proper temperature before you add the turkey.
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Prepare the Turkey Breast
While the air fryer preheats, take your cooked turkey breast out of the refrigerator. If reheating a whole breast, slice it into thinner, uniform pieces to help it reheat evenly.
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Add Turkey Breast to Air Fryer
Place the turkey breast slices in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd. Overcrowding prevents proper airflow.
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Reheat for 15 Minutes
Reheat the turkey breast at 360°F for 15 minutes initially. Check internal temperature and flip slices halfway through.
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Flip and Repeat
Flip over the turkey breast slices and repeat the reheating process for another 10-15 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
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Let Turkey Breast Rest
Remove turkey from the air fryer and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows juices to redistribute.
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Enjoy Delicious Turkey!
Your reheated turkey breast is now ready to enjoy! Dig into tender, juicy meat that tastes like it’s fresh from the oven.
Turkey Breast Air Fryer Reheating Tips
Use these handy tips to take your reheated turkey breast to the next level:
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Brush slices with olive oil or melted butter before reheating for added moisture and flavor.
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Flip the slices halfway for even cooking on both sides.
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Add herbs like rosemary or thyme for extra flavor.
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Use an instant-read thermometer to check internal temperature.
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Let the turkey breast rest before slicing for supreme tenderness.
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Add gravy or cranberry sauce to serve for a traditional turkey meal.
Common Turkey Breast Reheating Mistakes
It’s easy to ruin your turkey breast if you don’t follow proper technique. Avoid these common mistakes:
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Not preheating the air fryer before adding turkey.
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Overcrowding the air fryer basket which prevents even cooking.
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Reheating at too high temperature causing dry, tough meat.
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Not checking internal temperature with a meat thermometer.
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Cutting into the turkey breast immediately instead of letting it rest.
Storing and Reheating Leftover Turkey Safely
Proper storage and handling prevents bacterial growth and keeps reheated turkey breast safe to eat:
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Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours of cooking.
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Store turkey breast in shallow airtight containers.
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Use reheated turkey within 3-4 days.
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Only reheat once; do not keep reheating leftovers.
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Always reheat turkey to an internal temperature of 165°F.
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Avoid leaving reheated turkey at room temperature for over 2 hours.
Enjoy Moist, Delicious Turkey Breast Again
Follow this air fryer reheating guide for enjoying tender and juicy leftover turkey breast that tastes freshly cooked. With the right timing and temperature, you can savor all the flavors of your holiday centerpiece once more without drying it out. Air frying makes it so easy to reheat turkey breast safely while maintaining its moisture and texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I reheat Thanksgiving leftovers in an air fryer?
A standard air fryer can work similarly to a countertop oven to restore the balance of crunchy and juicy in most foods. For either, start by reheating your dishes at 360 to 375 degrees Fahrenheit until you find the sweet spot that works for you.
What’s the best way to reheat cooked chicken breast in an air fryer?
Preheat air fryer by running it at 360°F (180°C) for 5 minutes. Slice chicken breast about 1⁄2 inch (1 cm) thick and brush with olive oil. Place chicken slices in air fryer basket and air fry 2-3 minutes at 360°F (180°C). Check to make sure they are heated through, then serve!
How can I reheat a smoked turkey breast without drying it out?
Set the oven to 325°F. This temperature is high enough to heat the turkey thoroughly without drying out the meat.
Carve the Pieces
If the turkey was refrigerated whole, or youre working with a precooked turkey for Thanksgiving or another event, slice it into smaller pieces to allow for quick and even reheating. Legs and wings may be left intact, but breast and thigh meat can be carved into slices.
Keep It Moist
Pour leftover turkey or chicken broth over the meat, creating a 1/2-inch bath of broth in the bottom of the pan.
You may substitute store-bought turkey, chicken or vegetable broth or stock. If you dont have any broth, just use water. Cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil.