It can be hard to reheat a turkey (What wine goes well with turkey?) sandwich without breaking the bread (What wine goes well with bread?) but it’s necessary to keep the sandwich’s original taste and texture. When reheated improperly, the bread can become soggy or overly dry, ruining the overall experience. To make it work, you need to find a way to warm the filling well while keeping the bread as fresh as possible.
A popular technique for reheating a turkey sandwich involves the use of an oven or a toaster oven. This method ensures an even distribution of heat and can help retain the breads crispness. To do the process, the oven needs to be heated to a moderate temperature, usually around 325°F (163°C). This is done so the bread doesn’t get too toasted or dry. Wrapping the sandwich in aluminum foil can prevent moisture loss and encourage a gentle reheating process.
An alternative way that is faster and easier is to use a microwave with a lower power setting to warm the sandwich parts without making the bread too soft. The turkey filling can be heated up quickly in the microwave. The bread can then be quickly toasted under the broiler or in a toaster to get the crunch you want without ruining the quality of the bread. By using more than one of these methods, you can make a reheated turkey sandwich that tastes almost exactly like the one you made from scratch.
The holidays have come and gone, and now you’re left with a fridge full of Thanksgiving leftovers. While leftovers can get old after a few days, there are ways to breathe new life into them!
One of the best leftover meals is a hot turkey sandwich. A freshly-made hot turkey sandwich is delicious, but reheating it can be tricky. You want the bread to be crispy and the cheese melty without totally drying out the turkey.
After testing different methods, I’ve found some of the best ways to reheat a hot turkey sandwich and make it taste freshly made again! Keep reading for my tips.
Start With High-Quality Bread
The foundation of a great reheated sandwich is bread that can stand up to reheating. Soft, squishy bread will turn into a soggy mess. Look for bread with a sturdy crust that will crisp back up nicely.
Breads like ciabatta, French bread, sourdough, or a crusty artisan loaf work wonderfully. I’ve had great luck with bakery breads from the grocery store bakery section too. Just avoid flimsy white bread or rolls.
You can also turn to sturdy slices like potato bread or toasted bread. While these won’t get as crispy, they won’t turn mushy either.
Oven Reheating is Your Best Bet
When it comes to the best way to reheat a hot turkey sandwich, the oven wins hands down. It heats the sandwich gently and evenly, crisping up the bread without drying out the inside.
Simply preheat your oven to 325°F. Place the sandwich on a baking sheet, then loosely wrap aluminum foil around it. The foil traps in some heat and moisture. Bake for 15-20 minutes until hot throughout.
Remove the foil for the last 2-3 minutes if you want extra crispy bread. You can also switch to the broiler briefly at the end.
Microwaving Leads to Rubbery Bread
While the microwave seems quick and convenient, it often leaves bread rubbery and turkey dry. The microwave heats things unevenly, creating hot and cold spots.
If you do microwave, use a lower power setting around 50 percent. Microwave in short bursts, checking often. Put a damp paper towel over the sandwich to add some moisture. This method won’t make the bread crispy, but it’s better than rubbery.
Other Quick Methods
While the oven leads to the best reheated sandwich, other methods can work in a pinch:
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Toaster Oven: This mini oven works just like the regular oven. Bake at 300°F for 10-15 minutes.
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Skillet: Quickly heat the sandwich in a skillet over medium-low heat. Cover to melt the cheese. Don’t press down and flatten it!
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Sandwich Press: These countertop presses heat and crisp both sides simultaneously. Great for a quick reheat.
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Grill: Throw the sandwich on an outdoor grill or indoor grill pan. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
Prep It Right the First Time
How you initially prepare the sandwich also makes a difference for reheating later.
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Allow the turkey, bread, cheese, etc. to cool completely before assembling the sandwich. This prevents early sogginess.
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Spread condiments/sauces on the bread lightly. Lots of wet ingredients leads to mushy bread when reheated.
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Use cheese that melts well, like cheddar, Swiss, provolone, or American. Save ingredients like lettuce for after reheating.
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Store the assembled sandwich loosely wrapped in the fridge. Tight wrapping ruins the bread’s texture.
Handy Add-Ins Before Reheating
Certain ingredients help improve a reheated turkey sandwich and make it taste fresher:
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Butter: Spread or brush the bread with butter or olive oil before reheating. This keeps the bread from drying out and adds richness.
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Broth: Dip or brush the sandwich with turkey broth, chicken broth, or gravy. The moisture boosts flavor.
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Cheese: Add extra cheese slices or shredded cheese on top and let it melt during reheating.
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Spices: Sprinkle on fresh spices like oregano, rosemary, thyme, sage. This livens up the flavors.
Make Sandwich Components Separately
If you just can’t seem to reheat the full sandwich well, try reheating components separately.
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Toast or reheat the bread by itself, so it gets nice and crispy.
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Warm the turkey, gravy, cranberry sauce, etc. separately.
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Reheat cheese slices or shredded cheese until fully melted.
Then assemble everything on the crisp, toasted bread. While it takes more effort, this gives you the best textures.
Enjoy Those Leftovers!
With a little TLC, you can reheat a hot turkey sandwich and make it taste nearly as delicious as the original. A gently oven reheating does the trick beautifully.
I like to reheat my turkey sandwiches the day after Thanksgiving and use up the leftovers throughout the weekend. It saves me time and money while letting me enjoy the flavors longer.
Now that you know the secrets to reheating a hot turkey sandwich, go ahead and enjoy those leftovers to the fullest! Crisp, melty and delicious.
Wrapping Techniques for Retaining Freshness
To keep the turkey sandwich fresh before reheating, one should wrap the sandwich in aluminum foil. This method serves a dual purpose: it retains the sandwich’s moisture and ensures even reheating. One should carefully wrap the sandwich, making sure:
- The aluminum foil covers the sandwich completely
- Any holes in the foil are sealed so that steam can’t get out.
For storing leftover sandwiches, proper containment is essential to maintain quality and prevent contamination. If you have leftover sandwiches, you should put them in a zip-top bag or an airtight container so that air and moisture can’t get in and ruin the turkey and bread. The steps are as follows:
- Separate the turkey from the bread if possible. This prevents the bread from becoming too moist.
- Put the turkey and bread in separate zip-top bags or foil and set them aside.
- Keep them in the coolest part of the fridge to keep them as fresh as possible.
If you follow these steps when making the turkey sandwich, it will stay fresh when you reheat it, making the meal more enjoyable when it’s time to eat.
Choosing the right reheating method is essential for preserving the texture and flavors of a turkey sandwich. The following subsections outline the best techniques for reheating using different kitchen appliances.
To reheat a turkey sandwich in the oven, it is recommended to preheat the oven to 350°F. To keep the bread from drying out, put the sandwich on a baking sheet and cover it loosely with aluminum foil. Typically, heating for 10-15 minutes warms the sandwich through. For a crispier crust, the foil can be removed and the sandwich heated for an additional 5 minutes.
Using a microwave for reheating sandwiches can lead to a softer texture, particularly if reheated briefly. You could wet a paper towel and wrap it around a turkey sandwich to make steam and keep the bread from getting too tough. Heating the sandwich for 30-second intervals on medium power checks for desired warmth without compromising texture.
Stovetop reheating can yield a crispy texture for your sandwich bread if done carefully. Heat a skillet or griddle over medium heat and place the sandwich inside. Covering with a lid can trap steam and ensure the fillings warm evenly. To make both sides crispy, flip the sandwich over halfway through the heating process and keep an eye out for burning.
Toaster Oven Reheating Method
A toaster oven is a suitable option that combines the benefits of oven and microwave reheating. Warm up the toaster oven to 350°F and put the sandwich inside. For a softer texture, wrap the sandwich in foil and put it in, but if you want it crispier, don’t wrap it. The sandwich should heat up for about 10 minutes. Like in the oven, the foil can be taken off to do more toasting if needed.
When reheating a turkey sandwich, the main goal is to keep the bread from drying out while getting the turkey warm and juicy again. A balanced application of moisture can aid in rejuvenating the turkey without compromising the texture of the bread.
How to make a: Hot Turkey Sandwich
FAQ
How to warm up a turkey sandwich?
How do you reheat a hot sandwich in the oven?
Can you reheat a sandwich with mayo on it?
How do you reheat a precooked turkey without drying it out?
How do you reheat a sandwich?
A great reheat for almost any sandwich starts with a 325-degree Fahrenheit pre-heated oven and a sheet of aluminum foil to wrap around your sandwich. The foil will keep it from drying out and warm the sandwich consistently throughout. Give it 15-20 minutes, and presto — delicious sandwich, day two.
How do you reheat leftover Turkey?
Our testing found that the best way to reheat turkey leftovers is to use the low-and-slow oven method. Here’s how: 1. Preheat the oven Preheat an oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). 2. Let the turkey come to room temperature Leave your turkey leftovers out on the counter for 10 to 30 minutes before reheating.
How do you reheat a fried turkey?
Add butter to gravy, and brush it over the turkey before reheating. Smother your leftovers in equal parts gravy and stock and pour it over the turkey before reheating in the oven or microwave. This mixture adds flavor and texture (it’s thin enough for the meat to absorb), and it revitalizes the fat content.
Can You reheat a frozen Sandwich in the oven?
If you are wanting to reheat a frozen sandwich in the oven, it is best to leave it to thaw before placing it in the oven. The best way to thaw the sandwich is to leave it in the fridge overnight, or for a few hours before reheating it. This keeps the sandwich at a low temperature, which reduces the chance of bacteria growth.
Does a sandwich dry out when reheated?
The best way to ensure that a sandwich does not dry out while reheating is to cover it in aluminum foil. The aluminum foil stops any moisture from escaping and ensures that the bread and the filling are not dry when reheated.
Are You reheating leftover sandwiches?
Given the supersized food situation happening across the country, a lot of us will be reheating the leftovers of that sandwich tomorrow. And for those who love to enjoy their leftovers as much as the original, a few tips for appropriate reheating would be handy.