If it stresses you out to roast a turkey for a holiday meal on the same day it will be eaten, theres a simple solution: make it ahead. Goodbye stress. It takes time and attention to prep a turkey, roast it for several hours, let it rest, and carve it. You can do all that in advance, refrigerate it for 1-3 days, and all you have to do is heat it up when its time to serve your turkey dinner. Oh, what a relief it is!
Sure, you and your guests cant enjoy that delicious aroma of turkey roasting in the oven on the day of the big meal. But, maybe thats worth it if you can be more relaxed, have a more leisurely pace as you prepare the other parts of the meal and enjoy more time to visit with friends and family.
This make-ahead turkey tastes amazingly yummy and moist. The only thing that is compromised is crispy skin. It softens when its made ahead and refrigerated. It still tastes good, but it doesnt have that pleasing crunch from being freshly roasted. So, if crispy skin is really important to you, this make-ahead method may not be a good choice. For me, its worth it to have a more relaxed day.
Honestly, sometimes Im so exhausted by the time we sit down for our holiday meal that I can hardly enjoy the food. Thats why Ive become such a make-ahead girl. I do as much as possible in the days leading up to a holiday meal. I also have make-ahead recipes for mashed potatoes, gravy, soft dinner rolls, and cornbread stuffing. With this make-ahead turkey added to the menu, my Thanksgiving or Christmas meals can be the most relaxed days of the year in my kitchen.
Frying a turkey has become an increasingly popular cooking method for many families on Thanksgiving or Christmas. The appeal is easy to understand – a deep-fried turkey comes out incredibly moist, tender and flavorful with crispy, golden brown skin. However, frying a whole turkey on the holiday itself can be quite an involved process that takes time, attention and care. So a common question arises – can you fry the turkey a day or two before the big meal, and simply reheat it on the day?
The short answer is yes you absolutely can fry your turkey ahead of time and reheat it. However, proper storage and reheating techniques are vital for food safety and quality. When handled carefully a fried turkey made the day before can be just as delicious as one fried the same day.
Below is a comprehensive guide on how to safely fry your turkey early, store it overnight and reheat it to juicy perfection on the big day:
Why Make the Turkey Ahead?
Frying the turkey in advance offers several benefits:
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Allows you to cook when it’s most convenient, instead of feeling rushed on Thanksgiving day. This takes the pressure off.
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Frees up oven space if you need it for side dishes, pies, etc.
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Lets you focus on other meal components like setting the table, prepping sides, and enjoying time with guests.
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Reduces stress and chaos on the holiday so you can relax.
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Provides a backup turkey in case more guests arrive than planned.
Food Safety Considerations
While frying ahead offers perks, it’s crucial to prioritize food safety as the number one priority. Raw poultry can harbor bacteria like Salmonella Frying cooks the turkey quickly and kills bacteria, but only if proper cooling, storing and reheating guidelines are followed after cooking
The main risks with making a fried turkey ahead of time are:
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Bacterial growth if the cooked turkey is left at room temperature too long.
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Contamination if stored improperly.
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Undercooking if not reheated thoroughly to safe internal temperatures.
So let’s discuss how to avoid these pitfalls with safe handling.
Step 1: Cooling the Fried Turkey
Once the turkey emerges golden and delicious from the fryer, it’s important to cool it down quickly to prevent bacterial growth.
Here is a safe cooling process:
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Let it rest for 20-30 minutes out of the oil. This allows juices to settle for easier carving.
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Use a food thermometer to ensure the internal temperature drops below 40°F within two hours.
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Place turkey in a shallow pan and divide into smaller portions if needed to speed cooling.
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Do not tightly cover the turkey, as this slows heat transfer.
Once cooled below 40°F, it’s safe for overnight storage.
Step 2: Overnight Storage
You did the hard work frying the bird – now store it carefully to preserve your efforts! Here are tips for safe overnight storage:
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Use shallow, covered containers. This prevents drying out.
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Refrigerate within 2 hours at 40°F or below to prevent bacterial growth.
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Keep fried turkey away from strong smelling foods, as it absorbs odors.
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If you portion the bird, store slices tightly wrapped in bags or foil to retain moisture.
Proper overnight storage keeps your turkey fresh, safe and ready for reheating.
Step 3: Reheating the Turkey
This is the most crucial step. The turkey must reach an internal temperature of 165°F to eliminate bacteria.
Here are safe reheating techniques:
Oven Reheating
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Preheat oven to 300°F. Higher temps risk dryness.
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Place turkey in a baking dish, and add some broth or oil to prevent drying.
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Cover tightly with foil. Heat until internal temp reaches 165°F.
Microwave Reheating
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Heat turkey in microwave-safe dish, covered, on high in 30-45 second bursts.
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Check internal temp between bursts, reheating until 165°F is reached.
Deep Frying Again
- Only do this if oil is fresh, clean and hot enough. Fry just until 165°F.
No matter the reheating method, use a food thermometer to guarantee the turkey reaches food-safe interior temperatures throughout.
Serving a Perfect Reheated Turkey
You did all the hard work – now it’s time to shine on Turkey Day! Here are tips for serving up a mouthwatering reheated deep fried turkey:
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Let it rest 10-15 minutes before carving for juicier meat.
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Carve the turkey in advance for faster serving on the big day.
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Arrange sliced turkey neatly on a platter.
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Garnish with fresh herbs and fruits for festive flair.
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Drizzle pan juices over the turkey for added moistness and flavor.
Storing Leftovers Safely
Leftover fried turkey keeps 3-4 days in the fridge. To maximize freshness:
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Portion turkey into shallow airtight containers.
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Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours of serving.
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Reheat leftovers until steaming hot, at least 165°F.
With proper handling, fried turkey made ahead is a convenient and safe option that makes the holiday less stressful. Focus on fun and family while serving up your juicy, crispy and delicious bird!
A holiday meal stress buster! Roast and carve turkey in advance; reheat it to moist perfection.
- 1 roasted turkey*
- 1 cup chicken or turkey broth
Directions *See instructions for roasting a turkey at: www.theyummylife.com/Best_Roast_Turkey After roasted turkey comes out of the oven, cover loosely with foil and let rest 30-45 minutes to allow juices to settle. Carve turkey, slicing the larger breast pieces into 3/4″ thick slices. Arrange turkey slices and pieces on baking pan, with cut edges of breast slices pressed together to prevent them from drying out. Cover with plastic wrap, pressing it down onto the turkey to remove any air pockets. Cover entire pan with lid or aluminum foil. Refrigerate for up to 3 days. TO REHEAT: Remove pan of sliced turkey from refrigerator and rest at room temperature for 30 minutes. Remove lid and plastic wrap. Spread the slices out overlapping each one slightly, in an even layer in the pan. Drizzle broth over turkey. Cover with foil. Bake just until warmed through using one of these methods: FLASH REHEATING. Preheat oven to 450 degrees and heat covered pan of sliced turkey for approx. 7-15 minutes, or until turkey is heated through. STANDARD REHEATING. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and heat covered pan of sliced turkey for approx. 25-30 minutes, or until turkey is heated through. These reheating times are approximate. Ovens, pans, and depth of turkey can effect actual time required. Be careful not to over heat the turkey to avoid drying it out. TO SERVE: Transfer heated turkey to serving platter. Drizzle hot broth left in bottom of cooking pan over platter of turkey. Garnish with parsley and cranberries, if desired.
If it stresses you out to roast a turkey for a holiday meal on the same day it will be eaten, theres a simple solution: make it ahead. Goodbye stress. It takes time and attention to prep a turkey, roast it for several hours, let it rest, and carve it. You can do all that in advance, refrigerate it for 1-3 days, and all you have to do is heat it up when its time to serve your turkey dinner. Oh, what a relief it is!
Sure, you and your guests cant enjoy that delicious aroma of turkey roasting in the oven on the day of the big meal. But, maybe thats worth it if you can be more relaxed, have a more leisurely pace as you prepare the other parts of the meal and enjoy more time to visit with friends and family.
This make-ahead turkey tastes amazingly yummy and moist. The only thing that is compromised is crispy skin. It softens when its made ahead and refrigerated. It still tastes good, but it doesnt have that pleasing crunch from being freshly roasted. So, if crispy skin is really important to you, this make-ahead method may not be a good choice. For me, its worth it to have a more relaxed day.
Honestly, sometimes Im so exhausted by the time we sit down for our holiday meal that I can hardly enjoy the food. Thats why Ive become such a make-ahead girl. I do as much as possible in the days leading up to a holiday meal. I also have make-ahead recipes for mashed potatoes, gravy, soft dinner rolls, and cornbread stuffing. With this make-ahead turkey added to the menu, my Thanksgiving or Christmas meals can be the most relaxed days of the year in my kitchen.
Cook Ahead Turkey – How to cook, prep, store and reheat your whole turkey one day before
FAQ
Can you fry a turkey the day before and reheat it?
When serving your turkey the next day, the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline advises that cooked turkey may be eaten cold or reheated.
How long can you keep oil after deep frying a turkey?
Any place you have that fits the criteria (but won’t let the oil freeze) will work. Properly stored, the oil will last up to six months.Oct 9, 2019
Can you prepare a turkey the night before cooking?
If you’re pressed for time (or oven space), Make Ahead Roasted Turkey is just what you need. With this technique, cooking turkey the day before, the week before, or even the month before, still tastes delicious and freshly carved.
Can You reheat a Turkey the day before?
Yes, you can cook your turkey the day before and reheat it. “You’ll want to put your turkey in the oven in a pan with broth in the bottom of the pan, baste with turkey juices throughout the heating process, keep it covered with foil, and reheat to 165 degrees Fahrenheit,” Edwards explains. Paranoid about your reheated turkey coming out dry?
Can You reheat a Turkey thaw before reheating?
Thaw in the fridge before reheating. If unsure about the turkey’s freshness, remember “when in doubt, throw it out!” Don’t risk foodborne illness. On the day you’ll serve the turkey, plan on at least 2 hours to reheat it fully. Remove the turkey from the fridge and let sit 30 minutes before reheating so it heats evenly.
What temperature should a Turkey be reheated?
Heat turkey to 165°F as measured by a food thermometer. This temperature kills any harmful bacteria and ensures the turkey is fully hot and safe to eat. Can you reheat turkey in the microwave? Yes, microwave in short 1-2 minute intervals until heated through, checking temperature between bursts.
Can You reheat a turkey if you have foodborne illness?
Don’t risk foodborne illness. On the day you’ll serve the turkey, plan on at least 2 hours to reheat it fully. Remove the turkey from the fridge and let sit 30 minutes before reheating so it heats evenly. In the oven: Heat oven to 325°F.
Can You reheat a Turkey drippings?
Serve immediately or keep warm in a 200°F oven for up to 2 hours until mealtime. Don’t leave turkey at room temperature longer than 2 hours. Since you’ve reserved the initial turkey drippings for storage, you’ll need to make new pan drippings to create your gravy on the day you reheat the turkey.
Can you freeze a Turkey After reheating?
Yes, you can freeze the leftovers after reheating. Allow the turkey to cool to room temperature, package it in airtight containers or freezer bags, and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. 9. What is the best way to store leftovers? To store leftovers, divide them into smaller portions and refrigerate or freeze them promptly.