I love honey baked ham, but this honey baked turkey might just be my new favorite recipe for Easter. This deliciously sweet and savory honey baked turkey recipe uses simple ingredients and includes easy step-by-step instructions to make the best turkey that your whole family will love!
A honey baked turkey breast is a delicious holiday centerpiece But the challenge comes the next day when you want to enjoy those tasty leftovers without drying out the meat.
As a passionate home cook and entertainer, I’ve reheated my share of turkey over the years. Through trial and error, I’ve learned the best techniques for warming up a honey baked turkey breast so it stays moist, flavorful and safe to eat.
In this guide, I’ll share all my tips and tricks for reheating honey baked turkey breast in the oven, microwave or slow cooker. Follow these simple steps, and you’ll have juicy, mouthwatering turkey every time.
Why Proper Reheating Is Essential
It’s tempting to just heat and eat leftover turkey straight from the fridge. But without careful reheating, the meat dries out fast.
As turkey cooks the first time, juices inside start to run clear. Once cooked, the proteins coagulate and the juices are absorbed. Reheating causes proteins to squeeze out moisture all over again.
That’s why the method you use matters so much. The goal is to bring the turkey up to a safe temperature as quickly as possible without driving out too much natural moisture.
Quick Oven Method (325°F for 20-25 Minutes)
The best way to reheat a whole honey baked turkey breast is in the oven, It allows you to evenly warm the meat through without getting the temperatures too high
Follow these simple oven reheating steps
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Remove turkey from fridge and let sit at room temperature for 15-30 minutes before reheating. This helps it cook more gently.
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Preheat oven to 325°F. Low, even heat is crucial.
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Place turkey breast in baking dish and tent loosely with foil. This traps in steam and keeps the surface from drying out.
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Bake until heated through, about 20-25 minutes per pound. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temp reaches 165°F.
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Let turkey rest 5-10 minutes before slicing to allow juices to redistribute. The meat will be hot and steamy.
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Serve warm and enjoy! Refrigerate any uneaten portions within 2 hours.
The oven method requires minimal work and reliably delivers hot, juicy turkey. Be sure to use a meat thermometer for doneness.
Microwave Method (1-2 Minutes Per Slice)
You can also use the microwave to quickly reheat sliced turkey breast. Just keep a close watch to avoid overcooking.
Follow these steps for microwaving turkey:
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Slice turkey breast into equal 1/2-inch thick pieces so it heats evenly.
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Arrange slices on microwavable plate in single layer. Cover with paper towel to prevent splatter.
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Microwave on High in 1 minute intervals until heated through, about 1-2 minutes per slice.
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Check internal temperature with instant thermometer to ensure it reaches 165°F.
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Let sit 1-2 minutes before serving.
The microwave can zap slices fast, but aim for short bursts to warm turkey without toughening it. Check frequently and stop as soon as the meat is hot.
Slow Cooker Method (3-4 Hours on Low)
For shredded turkey, the slow cooker does the job with minimal fuss. Follow these simple steps:
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Cut turkey breast into chunks. This allows heat to penetrate better.
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Place turkey in slow cooker and add a small amount of broth, stock or turkey gravy to prevent drying out.
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Cook on Low for 3-4 hours, until turkey is fall-apart tender.
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Use two forks to shred turkey. The meat will be super moist and tender after slowly braising.
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Serve turkey for sandwiches, tacos, casseroles and more!
The set-it-and-forget it slow cooker method infuses flavor into the turkey. Shred for versatile leftover meals all week long.
Handy Tips for Reheating Turkey Breast
Follow these handy tips for the best results when reheating your honey baked turkey breast:
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Allow proper resting time after reheating before slicing turkey to let juices redistribute.
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Use lower oven temperatures (325°F) rather than blasting at high heat to prevent drying.
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Cut into smaller, evenly sized pieces to heat turkey more efficiently.
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Add a splash of broth or stock to oven and slow cooker methods for extra moisture.
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Reheat turkey breast within 3-4 days for maximum quality and safety.
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Discard turkey if it smells bad or feels slimy when reheating – don’t risk eating spoiled meat.
Storing Leftover Turkey Safely
Be sure to safely store any uneaten leftover turkey:
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Refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking to prevent bacterial growth.
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Store turkey in shallow airtight containers or resealable bags to minimize air exposure.
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Use leftovers within 3-4 days for best quality.
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Freeze extras for longer term storage. Frozen turkey keeps well for 3-4 months.
Following proper storage guidelines keeps leftover turkey fresh and safe to reheat later on.
Get Creative with Leftover Honey Baked Turkey
A leftover honey baked turkey breast offers delicious possibilities for new meals. Try these creative recipes:
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Turkey sandwiches with cranberry sauce and stuffing
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Turkey tacos or burritos with avocado
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Turkey casserole with veggies and gravy
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Turkey salad with mayo, celery and relish
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Turkey pot pie with biscuit topping
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Turkey tetrazzini with pasta and cheese
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Turkey soup loaded with vegetables
With so many options, you’ll look forward to leftovers after your next turkey dinner!
Enjoy Moist, Flavorful Leftover Turkey
As you can see, reheating honey baked turkey breast just right takes a little care and know-how. Now that you’re armed with these simple techniques, you can confidently warm up leftovers to hot, juicy perfection.
Follow the quick oven, microwave or slow cooker reheating steps outlined here. Then get ready to enjoy tender, mouthwatering turkey breast with all its natural juices and honey flavors intact.
Leftover turkey never tasted so good! I hope these tips help you make the most of the holiday bird for easy meals all week long. Here’s to reheating success.
What’s in this Honey Baked Turkey Recipe?
Inspired by a classic honey baked ham, I think this glazed turkey breast is just perfectly sweet and savory. It’s perfect for a small holiday get-together or an elevated weeknight meal for the fam! This has been my kid’s favorite turkey recipe that I’ve made to date!
- Boneless Turkey Breast: You’ll need a 3-pound breast for this recipe. I grabbed one wrapped in netting for presentation, but it’s not necessary.
- Kosher Salt: Enhances the flavor of the turkey and the glaze.
- Poultry Seasoning: A delicious blend of herbs and spices that brings out the natural flavor of the turkey.
- Spices: Ground paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and black pepper enhance the overall flavor even more.
- Unsalted Butter: Helps the seasoning stick to the turkey and helps create a rich and shiny glaze.
- Honey: Sweetens the glaze. Swap the honey for maple syrup for a different flavor.
- White Wine: Adds a touch of acidity to the glaze to balance the sweetness. Feel free to swap the white wine for chicken, turkey, or vegetable broth.
- Dijon Mustard: Adds a bit of spicy and sharp flavor to the glaze.
It’s easy to change up the flavor of this turkey breast by using different spices and seasonings. When I’m feeling something a little more savory, I’ll swap out the spices for my favorite turkey rub.
Notes from the Test Kitchen
Want to make a whole turkey? This seasoning and glaze will work! Depending on the size of your turkey, you may need to double or triple the glaze ingredients. You’ll also need to increase the cooking time accordingly. After the first 45 minutes, continue basting the turkey every 30 minutes until 165°F at the thickest point.
Meet The Ham Fam: Honey Baked Turkey Breast
FAQ
How do you heat up a HoneyBaked turkey breast?
We recommend that you do not heat the Turkey Breast – made to enjoy right from the refrigerator. If you prefer your meat warmed, gently heat on low heat 275°F for 10 min per pound only by the slice, do not heat the entire Turkey Breast. Heating may cause the meat to dry out and lose flavor.
How to warm up 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 to heat up a precooked smoked turkey breast?
Simply put the turkey in a baking dish and heat it at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 15 minutes per pound.May 5, 2017