Can You Reheat Turkey in a Crock Pot? A Detailed Guide

The holidays are a time for friends, family, and of course—delicious food. The centerpiece of many holiday meals is a perfect golden brown turkey But after the meal is over, you’re often left with a fridge full of leftovers Reheating leftovers can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. One popular question is can you reheat turkey in a crockpot?

Why Choose a Slow Cooker for Reheating Turkey?

Using a slow cooker or crockpot to reheat turkey offers a few potential benefits:

• Moisture: The slow, indirect heating of a crockpot helps keep turkey moist as it reheats. The turkey essentially braises in its own juices.

• Flavor: Cooking the turkey in broth or gravy infuses it with extra flavor.

• Convenience You can load up the crockpot with turkey in the morning and have hot, ready-to-eat turkey waiting for dinner.

• Food safety: Keeping the turkey at a safe holding temperature for an extended period ensures it is fully reheated throughout.

So a crockpot can provide an easy, flavorful way to reheat turkey—if done properly.

Is It Safe to Reheat Turkey in a Crock Pot?

The USDA recommends only reheating turkey in a microwave, stove or conventional oven. Their guidelines state that slow cookers do not heat foods quickly enough. Bacteria can flourish in the danger zone between 40-140°F.

So reheating turkey fully submerged in liquid in a crockpot is generally not recommended for food safety reasons. The turkey may spend too much time in the danger zone temperature range.

However, the USDA does approve reheating in a slow cooker if the food starts out piping hot. So you can use a crockpot to keep fully cooked turkey at a safe serving temperature. But proper handling is crucial.

How to Safely Reheat Turkey in a Crock Pot

If you want to keep leftover turkey warm and moist for a holiday buffet or other event, follow these steps:

1. Refrigerate Promptly

Be sure to refrigerate leftover turkey within 2 hours of cooking. Cut turkey in smaller pieces to allow it to cool faster. Refrigerate stuffing and gravy separately.

2. Reheat Thoroughly

The morning of the event, reheat turkey pieces fully in the microwave, oven or on the stovetop until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

3. Transfer to Crockpot

Add hot turkey pieces, sliced or shredded, to a crockpot with heated broth, gravy or sauce. The liquid should be simmering when turkey is added.

4. Keep at Safe Temperature

Keep the crockpot on the warm or low setting, maintaining a temperature above 140°F. Do not let the temperature drop below this safe zone.

5. Discard Leftovers

Discard any turkey or liquid remaining after the event. Do not refrigerate and reheat turkey a second time.

Following proper handling and reheating guidelines is key to avoiding foodborne illness. When in doubt, remember the USDA’s official recommendation is to reheat turkey using direct stovetop, oven or microwave heat.

Tips for Reheating Moist Turkey in the Oven or Microwave

If you choose not to use the crockpot method, here are some tips to keep leftover turkey tender and juicy:

• Cover turkey with broth or gravy in a microwave-safe dish. Or brush with chicken or turkey stock before microwaving.

• Use shorter reheating times at 50% power. Check frequently and continue heating if needed.

• Cover pan with foil when reheating in the oven. Baste occasionally with pan juices.

• Add a tablespoon of water to the dish or coat turkey slices in oil to prevent drying out.

• Slice or shred turkey to allow it to reheat faster and more evenly.

• Consider reheating any stuffing or gravy separately.

With proper handling, you can safely reheat day-old turkey to crispy, juicy perfection.

Cook Turkey in a Crockpot for Perfect Results

While reheating turkey in a slow cooker may be risky, you can certainly use a crockpot to cook a fresh turkey originally. Here are some tips:

• Cook a boneless turkey breast, not a whole bird. This reduces safety risks.

• Add broth and seasonings to infuse flavor. Herbs, citrus, garlic or onions work well.

• Cook on low heat for 7-8 hours until breast reaches 165°F.

• Let the turkey rest before slicing to retain juices.

• Use the hot cooking liquid to make gravy or sauce.

Many people also prepare their turkey in the oven up to 2 days before a holiday meal. Carving the fully cooked turkey ahead of time allows you to reheat only the portion sizes needed.

Sample Leftover Turkey Recipes

Leftover turkey has endless possibilities. Here are just a few ideas:

• Crockpot turkey chili

• Turkey tetrazzini with mushrooms, peas and pasta

• Hearty turkey noodle soup

• Turkey casserole with stuffing and veggies

• Tacos or tostadas with shredded turkey

• Turkey salad sandwiches with cranberry sauce

• Turkey pot pie topped with biscuits

With proper reheating and a little creativity, you can give leftover turkey a delicious second life. A crockpot can help keep turkey moist and flavorful when used carefully. Follow reheating guidelines and enjoy turkey throughout the holiday season.