Reheating a Whole Turkey? Follow These Tips for Moist, Delicious Leftovers

One of the best parts about roasting a whole turkey is enjoying delicious leftovers for days after. But reheating an entire bird while keeping it tender and juicy can be tricky. As a food writer and passionate home cook, I’ve experimented with various methods to find the ideal way to revive your holiday turkey.

In this article, I’ll share pro tips, step-by-step instructions, and common mistakes to avoid when reheating a whole cooked turkey. Read on to learn how to recapture that fresh-from-the-oven flavor and texture!

Why Reheat an Entire Turkey?

Before we dig into the how-to, let’s review the advantages of reheating a full turkey rather than just portions:

• Preserves moisture and flavor better than reheating sliced meat
• Lets you remove chunks of meat as needed for recipes
• Provides an impressive presentation when serving a crowd
• Makes use of the effort you put into roasting it perfectly
• Saves time since you don’t have to carve initially

With the right reheating technique, you can bring your whole bird back to nearly just-baked standards.

Tips for Reheating Turkey to Perfection

Follow these tips for the best results when reheating your Thanksgiving or holiday turkey

• Thoroughly reheat until the internal temp reaches 165°F
• Keep it moist by adding broth and tenting with foil
• Use low, even heat around 325°F to preserve moisture
• Watch the time – large birds may need over an hour
• Let the turkey rest for 10+ minutes after reheating
• Broil briefly if the skin loses crispiness

Now let’s get into the specific methods for reheating your bird while keeping it tender and full of flavor

How to Reheat a Turkey in the Oven

The oven allows for gentle, even warming ideal for reviving your whole turkey:

• Preheat oven to 325°F. Place turkey in a roasting pan.
• Add 1 cup turkey broth, wine or water to the bottom of the pan.
• Loosely tent turkey with aluminum foil to keep moist.
• Roast approx. 15-20 minutes per lb, checking internal temp with a meat thermometer.
• Uncover, increase heat to 400°F and roast 10 more minutes to recrisp skin if needed.
• Let rest 10-15 minutes before slicing.

This low, slow oven reheating method consistently delivers tender, juicy results. Monitoring the internal temperature is key for ensuring food safety too.

Reheating a Turkey in an Instant Pot

The Instant Pot is another great option for reheating your whole turkey conveniently:

• Remove all stuffing from the cavity before reheating.
• Place turkey in pot and add 1 cup broth or water to the insert.
• Select pressure cook mode on high for 8-12 minutes per lb.
• Use natural pressure release then check internal temp.
• If under 165°F, secure lid and cook at high pressure for 5 more minutes.
• Once 165°F is reached, let the turkey rest 10-15 minutes before serving.

The Instant Pot reheats the turkey rapidly while keeping it remarkably moist. Just be sure to remove the stuffing first.

Microwave Method for Reheating Turkey

You can also use the microwave to reheat your whole turkey in a pinch:

• Place turkey in a microwave-safe baking dish, removing any stuffing.
• Add some broth or water to the bottom of the dish. Cover with plastic wrap.
• Microwave on 50% power in 5 minute increments until 165°F internally.
• Check temperature in multiple spots to ensure even heating.
• If some areas are cold, continue microwaving in 1 minute increments.
• Let turkey rest 10 minutes before slicing into the reheated meat.

While microwaving turkey won’t be quite as ideal, in terms of moisture and evenness, as the oven or Instant Pot, it can work well for quickly reheating a portion of the whole bird.

Maintaining Crispy Skin

If you want crisper skin after reheating the turkey, try these solutions:

• Coat the skin with oil or butter before initial reheating.
• In the oven, do a final 10 minute uncovered broiling at 400°F.
• In the microwave, finish by crisping the skin under the broiler for 5 minutes.
• Alternatively, use a blow torch, grill, or saute pan to crisp the skin after reheating.

Carving and Serving the Reheated Turkey

Once your turkey is fully reheated:

• Let it rest for at least 10-15 minutes so the juices redistribute.
• Carefully slice the breast meat into thin cuts for serving.
• Remove the leg quarters and slice off the meat.
• Artfully arrange white and dark meat on a platter with pan juices for dipping.

Storing and Re-Reheating Turkey

To safely store and reheat leftover turkey multiple times:

• Refrigerate within 2 hours of initial cooking. Wrap tightly in foil or plastic wrap.
• Use within 3-4 days, reheating thoroughly to 165°F before each use.
• Frozen turkey keeps 4-6 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating.
• Reheat only the portion needed in the oven or microwave.

Enjoy Your Leftover Turkey Masterpiece

When you expend the effort cooking a full holiday turkey, you want to get the most out of it. Follow these tips for reheating your whole bird and you can continue enjoying moist, delicious leftovers for several meals after the main event.

Gently reheating the entire turkey helps retain moisture and flavor. You’ll be able to pull off chunks of meat as needed for recipes. Impress your family again and again while making versatile use of your beautifully cooked turkey.