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!
Warming up a honey baked turkey can seem intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. With some simple tricks and proper technique, you can revive your honey baked turkey to be just as moist, delicious and golden brown as it was right out of the oven.
At our website, we’ve perfected the art of reheating honey baked turkeys. After years of testing, we’ve settled on a few go-to methods that never fail to impress our guests.
In this guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know to warm up your honey baked turkey like a pro, including:
- The keys to gentle, even reheating
- Recommended oven temperatures and times
- Special tips for reheating whole turkeys vs. slices
- Creative ideas to enhance flavor
- Letting the turkey come to room temperature
The Importance of Gentle, Even Heating
The number one rule when reheating a honey baked turkey is to go low and slow. High, fast heat will dry out the turkey quicker than anything.
You want to use a gentler approach that warms the turkey through without overcooking the outer portions. This helps maintain that signature juicy texture that makes honey baked turkey so craveworthy.
We recommend reheating the turkey at a lower oven temperature, around 275°F to 300°F. This gives you more control and helps prevent the turkey from drying out.
Convection ovens are ideal as they promote very even heating but a standard oven will work as well. Be sure to rotate the pan periodically for the most uniform results.
Recommended Oven Temperatures and Times
Based on our experience, these oven settings work perfectly for reheating honey baked turkey without drying it out:
Whole Turkey
- Oven Temperature: 275°F
- Time: Approximately 15-20 minutes per pound
- Example: A 12 lb turkey would take 180-240 minutes (3-4 hours)
Turkey Slices/Pieces
- Oven Temperature: 300°F
- Time: 10-15 minutes
These time ranges allow the turkey to fully warm through without overcooking the exterior. If you’re reheating a whole turkey make sure to use a meat thermometer to confirm it reaches 165°F internally.
Special Tips for Whole Turkeys vs. Slices
Whether you’re reheating a full turkey or just leftovers, technique matters. Follow these tips:
Whole Turkey
- Place turkey in a shallow roasting pan, breast side up
- Tent loosely with foil, leaving space for air flow
- Optional: Add a splash of chicken or turkey broth to pan
- Baste periodically with juices
Slices/Pieces
- Arrange slices on a sheet pan in a single layer
- Tent loosely with foil
- For extra moisture, add broth/drippings and baste
Slicing the turkey enables more direct heat contact, so it warms faster. For whole turkeys, slow roasting allows indirect heat to penetrate gradually for even warming.
Getting Creative with Flavor
Plain reheating gets the job done, but when you add a touch of creativity, it takes your turkey to the next level.
Try these flavor-boosting ideas:
- Coat turkey in a spice rub before warming. Cajun seasoning adds some kick.
- Sauté slices in butter or oil before reheating. Browning adds texture.
- Deglaze the roasting pan with wine or broth to make an easy sauce.
- Stuff an herb butter under the turkey skin before warming. Basil butter is amazing.
With just a little extra effort, you can elevate that leftover turkey into something restaurant-worthy.
Allowing Turkey to Come to Room Temperature
Before reheating your turkey, always allow it to gradually come to room temperature. This prevents drastic temperature changes that can alter the moisture and texture.
Give the turkey about 30-45 minutes on the counter to slowly warm up. The more gradual increase prevents the turkey from drying out.
If you’re pressed for time, place it in a 200°F oven for 10-15 minutes to gently take the chill off before officially reheating to 165°F.
Putting It All Together for Honey Baked Turkey Perfection
Follow these simple steps, and you’ll have a honey baked turkey that tastes like it just came fresh from the oven:
- Remove turkey from refrigerator and allow to come to room temperature, about 30-45 minutes
- Preheat oven to 275°F-300°F
- Place turkey in shallow roasting pan, tent loosely with foil
- Warm in oven, allowing approximately 15-20 minutes per pound for whole turkey
- Check temperature, and continue roasting until internal temperature reaches 165°F
- Remove foil last 5-10 minutes if browning is desired
Take the time to gently reheat your turkey, and you’ll be rewarded with tender, juicy meat dripping with sweet glaze. Your guests will never know it’s a leftover!
With our fail-proof techniques, you can enjoy the honey baked turkey experience all week long. A good turkey deserves an encore – so reheat those leftovers with confidence and relish every bite.
Let us know how your honey baked turkey reheating goes! We love to hear back from our readers. And if you have any turkey questions, our experts are always happy to help. Wishing you a perfectly warmed, flavorful feast!
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover honey baked turkey in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat individual servings in the microwave or reheat the entire breast covered in a 350°F oven for 20-30 minutes, until warmed through.
Freeze honey baked turkey whole or in individual servings in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
This honey baked turkey pairs beautifully with classic holiday side dishes such as crockpot mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, cranberry sauce, turkey gravy, dinner rolls, and so much more! An added bonus is that this turkey makes good leftovers for sandwiches and wraps the next day!
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.
How do I warm my HoneyBaked Ham?
FAQ
How to reheat HoneyBaked turkey?
Store leftover honey baked turkey in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat individual servings in the microwave or reheat the entire breast covered in a 350°F oven for 20-30 minutes, until warmed through.
How do you heat up a HoneyBaked whole turkey?
Heating Instructions
Our whole turkeys are fully cooked and ready to enjoy. From thawed, take the turkey out of the refrigerator and remove from bag. Place in a roasting pan breast side up then loosely cover with aluminum foil and bake for 1 1/2 – 2 hours or until warm.
What is the best way to warm up leftover turkey?
To reheat, preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Keeping the turkey in the roasting pan, pour a bit of stock (chicken, turkey, or veggie stock or broth will work) over the meat to moisten it. Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes to an hour, or until the turkey is warmed through.