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The best part of Thanksgiving is undoubtedly the leftovers. You can make a lot of different dishes with Thanksgiving leftovers. For example, Ree Drummond’s recipes for turkey tetrazzini, turkey shepherd’s pie, and turkey soup all use up turkey. If you want to keep things simple and eat a lot of leftovers, though, you may be wondering how to heat up turkey.
If you’ve ever put a piece of leftover turkey in the microwave and it came out disappointingly dry, you know that there are right and wrong ways to reheat turkey. If you do it right, your turkey will still taste great days after Thanksgiving! Also, did you know that you can cook your Thanksgiving turkey ahead of time and then reheat it on the big day? That’s a lifesaver! Here’s how to keep your turkey juicy for the Turkey Day feast and beyond.
Fried turkey is a Southern tradition that produces moist, juicy meat coated in gloriously crispy, golden skin. However, leftovers can be tricky. Reheating fried turkey improperly risks drying it out or making the skin soggy and limp. Follow this guide to perfectly reheat your fried turkey and recapture the magic of that fresh-from-the-fryer crunch and flavor.
Why Reheat Fried Turkey in the Oven
While the microwave may seem quick, it’s actually the wrong move for fried turkey The microwave generates steam that will saturate the crisp coating and make it limp and soft
Instead, use your oven to gently and evenly reheat both the meat and crust. With some prep and the right technique, oven reheating can restore the full flavors and textures that make fried turkey so sensational.
Step-by-Step Oven Reheating Method
Follow these simple steps for foolproof reheating of fried turkey
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Let the turkey stand at room temperature for 1 hour before reheating to take the chill off.
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Preheat your oven to 325°F.
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Place the turkey in a pan and add a thin layer of chicken broth or water to the bottom. This provides moisture.
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Roast the turkey uncovered for 1 hour, basting it a couple times with the pan juices.
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After an hour, loosely tent foil over the turkey and continue roasting for 30 minutes more. This prevents over-drying.
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To recrisp the skin, set oven to broil and cook 5-10 minutes, watching closely to avoid burning.
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Check internal temperature, it should reach 165°F.
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Let rest 5-10 minutes before serving.
The low oven temperature evenly heats the turkey without drying it out. Basting keeps it moist and taking it out of the foil at the end lets you recapture a crispy skin.
Handy Fried Turkey Reheating Tips
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Reheat only what you plan to eat within the next couple days. Don’t keep reheating the whole leftovers.
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Slice off portions of white and dark meat before reheating for quicker, more even heating.
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Add extra moisture during reheating with gravy, chicken broth or even apple juice or cider.
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If reheating a turkey breast alone, reduce oven roasting time to 30-45 minutes.
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Preheat your pan before adding the turkey so it starts heating immediately.
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Use a meat thermometer to confirm the turkey reaches safe 165°F temperature.
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Let it rest 5-10 minutes before carving for juicier meat.
Make Your Leftover Fried Turkey Shine
Leftover fried turkey easily transforms into amazing second meals. Get creative with these delicious options:
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Pile slices on sandwiches with cranberry sauce, stuffing and mayo.
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Dice and add to soups, salads, casseroles or hash.
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Combine with barbeque sauce and serve on buns or baked potatoes.
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Make turkey pot pie with veggies and creamy sauce topped with biscuits.
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Stuff into omelets, burritos, tacos or enchiladas for a fun twist.
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Toss with pasta and pesto or make fried rice.
With proper reheating, your leftover fried turkey will be moist and full of flavor. Use it in creative ways to give new life to this tasty Thanksgiving tradition.
Fried Turkey Questions Answered
Get answers to common questions about frying and reheating turkey:
Is it safe to fry a turkey?
Yes, with proper precautions. Use a big enough pot, keep oil at 325-375°F, don’t overfill with turkey.
How long does fried turkey last?
Fried turkey lasts 3-4 days refrigerated. Reheat only what you’ll eat within a couple days.
What oil is best for frying turkey?
Peanut oil is the top choice for its high smoke point and neutral flavor. Canola or vegetable oil also work well.
Can you bake instead of fry a turkey?
Yes, baking won’t be as crispy but can still be delicious. Brine and rub with oil/spices for moistness and flavor.
Is reheated fried turkey still good?
Yes, fried turkey reheats very nicely in the oven. It will be almost like just-fried if you follow proper technique.
How do you re-crisp fried turkey skin?
Broil the reheated turkey for 5-10 minutes watching closely to recrisp the skin without burning it.
What temperature do you reheat fried turkey?
Heat fried turkey in a 325°F oven until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
Enjoy Moist, Crispy Fried Turkey
When fried turkey is reheated with care, it can be just as impressive the second time around. With these handy tips for proper oven reheating and creative ways to transform leftovers, you can continue enjoying the finger-licking flavors and textures of fried turkey long after the initial feast.
How do you reheat turkey without drying it out?
Quicker is not always better, and thats especially true when it comes to reheating turkey. The best way to keep leftover turkey moist and delicious is reheating it low and slow. Yeah, that means no microwaves! Microwaves may heat turkey very quickly, but they dry out the meat and make the skin chewy, which is not good. Instead, turn to your oven return your Thanksgiving turkey to hot, juicy, just-baked perfection. Put the carved meat in a baking dish and heat your oven to 300 degrees. Then, add some chicken broth or turkey stock to the pan. The meat will absorb some of the liquid as it heats, making it nice and juicy. Place the pan in the oven and tightly cover it with foil. Cook for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the meat is hot. Before you know it, youll have fresh turkey once again!.
Can you cook a turkey the day before and reheat it?
For those who don’t want to roast a bird on Thanksgiving, you can cook the turkey the day before. This simple tip will not only help you save time on Thanksgiving, it will also make the day smoother. Best of all, no one will ever know! Just roast your bird as usual, let it cool down, and then cut it up into big pieces. Remove the wings, drumsticks, thighs, and breasts, keeping the pieces whole with some skin attached. Place the carved turkey pieces back into the roasting pan, cover well, and store in the fridge.
To reheat, preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Pour some chicken, turkey, or vegetable stock or broth over the turkey while it’s still in the roasting pan to make it more tender. Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes to an hour, or until the turkey is warmed through. Then carve the turkey into slices and serve!.
How to Reheat Leftover Turkey for the Best Meat and Crisp Skin
FAQ
What is the best way to reheat deep fried turkey?
How to reheat turkey without drying it out?
How to keep fried turkey moist?
How do you cook a deep fried turkey?
1. Preheat your oven: Set your oven temperature at 325°F (163°C) for even heating. 2. Place on baking sheet: Position your leftover deep fried turkey pieces on a baking sheet or roasting pan. use parchment paper or lightly grease with cooking oil. the baking sheet. 4.
How do you reheat a fried turkey?
Wrap the entire piece of fried turkey tightly with aluminum foil, ensuring there are no gaps or openings that could allow heat to escape. To further prevent dryness during reheating , consider drizzling some turkey or chicken broth over the wrapped bird before sealing it with foil . This will help lock in moisture and enhance the flavor .
How do you reheat a deep fried turkey in an air fryer?
1. Preheat your air fryer: Set your air fryer’s temperature to 350°F (175°C) and preheat for approximately five minutes. the basket. 2. Lightly coat with oil spray: Spray some cooking oil evenly over each piece of deep-fried turkey to help enhance its crispiness during reheating. 1.
How do you reheat a carved turkey?
Simply roast your bird as usual, let it cool completely, then carve it into large pieces. Remove the wings, drumsticks, thighs, and breasts, keeping the pieces whole with some skin attached. Place the carved turkey pieces back into the roasting pan, cover well, and store in the fridge. To reheat, preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
How long does it take to reheat a Turkey?
Top with a little broth or gravy, cover with foil or the Dutch oven lid then, bake at 350°F until the turkey reaches 165°F. (This usually takes about 30 minutes.) Test Kitchen Tip: Low and slow is your best bet when trying to master how to reheat turkey.
Can You reheat deep fried chicken in an air fryer?
You can cook turkey pieces in an air fryer but not a whole turkey as it wouldn’t fit, this is a much healthier way than deep-frying it. To conclude, you can reheat deep-fried chicken easily uncovered in either a microwave or an oven, this will take anything from 20 minutes in the microwave to an hour in the oven.