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The best part of Thanksgiving is undoubtedly the leftovers. There are so many new dishes you can make with the components of a Thanksgiving menu! Ree Drummond especially loves to put leftover turkey to good use—just check out her recipes for turkey tetrazzini, leftover turkey shepherds pie, and leftover turkey soup. But if you just want to keep it simple and eat a big plate of leftovers, then youre probably wondering how to reheat turkey.
If youve ever zapped a slice of leftover turkey in the microwave only for it to come out unpleasantly dry, you probably realize that there are, indeed, right and wrong ways to reheat turkey. Do it the right way and your bird can taste freshly roasted days after Thanksgiving! Speaking of, did you know you can make a Thanksgiving turkey ahead of time and reheat it on the big day? Talk about a life saver! Below youll find all the advice you need to keep your Thanksgiving turkey perfectly juicy for the big feast and beyond.
Precooked turkeys provide a convenient shortcut to a delicious holiday meal. But heating them properly is crucial to bringing out the best texture and flavor while avoiding food safety issues. Follow these tips to learn how long to reheat your precooked bird for ideal doneness and taste.
I’ve cooked many precooked turkeys for holiday feasts and other events With some trial and error, I’ve dialed in the perfect oven temperature and timing to yield tender, juicy meat with crispy skin and awesome pan drippings for gravy
In this article you’ll learn
- Recommended oven temp and times based on turkey size
- Safely thawing frozen precooked turkeys
- Alternate reheating methods like stovetop and microwave
- Carving, stuffing, and gravy-making tips
- Common reheating mistakes to avoid
Let’s dive into how to revive store-bought cooked turkey for your next special meal.
Oven Reheating Times for Precooked Turkey
The oven allows even gentle reheating to warm the turkey without drying it out. Follow these guidelines
- Small turkeys (6-12 lbs): Heat 45-60 minutes at 325°F
- Medium turkeys (12-16 lbs): Heat 60-75 minutes at 325°F
- Large turkeys (16-24 lbs): Heat 75-90 minutes at 325°F
- Very large turkeys (24+ lbs): Heat 90-120 minutes at 325°F
Place turkey breast-side down on a sheet pan and tent loosely with foil. The fat will baste the breast meat as it renders. Add 1 cup broth or water to the pan.
Safely Thawing Frozen Precooked Turkeys
Check your turkey’s packaging but typically they recommend thawing in the fridge for 24 hours per 5 pounds. So a 15 pound turkey would need 3 full days to thaw.
Leave it wrapped in its packaging on a rimmed pan to catch drips. Avoid thawing at room temp or in water which can cause bacterial growth.
Once thawed, use within 3 days. Cook from fully frozen if needed but it will take longer.
Alternate Reheating Methods
Besides the oven, you can also use:
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Stovetop: Heat sliced meat in a skillet with broth 5-7 minutes per side.
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Microwave: Heat portions 2-3 minutes each, checking periodically. Cover with a damp paper towel.
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Grill: indirect heat works well for whole birds or pieces. Use a meat thermometer.
Handy Tips for Precooked Turkey Success
Follow these tips for perfect results:
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Let turkey rest 15 minutes before carving so juices redistribute.
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Use leftover drippings to make easy turkey gravy.
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Carve just before serving or meat will dry out.
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Add liquid to pan when reheating to prevent drying.
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Check inner temp with meat thermometer for safety.
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Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.
Common Precooked Turkey Reheating Mistakes
It’s easy to make these reheating errors:
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Not thawing turkey thoroughly before cooking.
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Reheating at too high of temperature which dries out meat.
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Skipping the resting period after oven reheating.
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Letting turkey sit out too long after initially cooking.
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Failing to use a meat thermometer to confirm safe 165°F temperature.
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Tightly covering with foil so the skin gets soggy.
With proper thawing, gentle reheating, and adequate resting, you’ll get incredible results from your convenient precooked turkey.
Enjoy Moist, Delicious Precooked Turkey with Ease
Precooked turkeys provide an easy holiday meal option when you don’t have time to roast your own. Now that you know how long to reheat them, you can relax and enjoy oven-ready convenience without sacrificing quality and taste.
Use the timing recommendations in this article for tender, juicy meat the whole family will love. Just be sure to thaw thoroughly, reheat gently, and let that bird rest before carving. Now go wow your guests with your succulent store-bought 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. Yep, that means stepping away from the microwave! Microwaves may heat turkey in record time, but they also dry out the meat and leave the skin unpleasantly chewy. Instead, turn to your oven return your Thanksgiving turkey to hot, juicy, just-baked perfection. Simply heat your oven to 300 degrees, put the carved meat in a baking dish, and 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. Cover the pan tightly with foil and place it in the oven until the meat is hot, 20 to 30 minutes. Before you know it, youll have fresh turkey once again!
Can you cook a turkey the day before and reheat it?
Yes you can! If roasting a bird on the big day sounds overwhelming, cook your turkey a day ahead. This easy trick will not only save you time on Thanksgiving, itll make the day a lot less stressful, too. The best part? No one will even know! 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. Keeping the turkey in the roasting pan, pour a bit of stock (chicken, turkey, or veggie stock or broth will work) over the meat to moisten it. 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 Heat and Serve – Smoked and Fully Cooked Turkey
FAQ
How long to heat a fully cooked butterball turkey?
Brush or spray skin with vegetable oil. Place turkey breast in 350° oven and heat until warm. 3/4 – 1.5 hours.
How long do you cook a pre-cooked turkey?
| Turkey Weight | Servings* | Reheating Time |
|---|---|---|
| 10 lbs. | 8 | 1 hr 20 mins – 1 hr 40 mins |
| 15 lbs. | 12 | 2 hrs – 2.5 hrs |
| 20 lbs. | 16 | 2.5 hrs – 3 hrs 15 mins |
| 25 lbs. | 20 | 3 hrs 15 mins – 4 hrs 15 mins |
How do you cook a precooked turkey without drying it out?
Our advice is to set the oven to 325°F. This temperature is high enough to heat the turkey thoroughly without drying out the meat.May 13, 2024
How long do you cook a pre cooked turkey?
The USDA recommends cooking and reheating all poultry, including pre-cooked turkey, to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the bird is fully reheated, at 165 degrees, remove it from the oven. Let it rest for about 15 minutes. Then, carve and serve. Use this chart to estimate the cooking time on your already-cooked bird:
How do you reheat a pre cooked turkey?
the best way to cook a pre-cooked turkey is to reheat it in the oven until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. This will ensure that the turkey is cooked through and safe to eat. Be sure to allow the turkey to rest for at least 10 minutes before carving and serving.
How long do you cook a Turkey in the oven?
Reheat the turkey until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees, according to the USDA. This time will vary, depending on your oven and the size of the bird, but you’ll want to cook the turkey for about 10 minutes per pound, according to Honey-B Ham. (Keep scrolling for a reheating time chart.) Peek in the oven after about an hour.
What temperature should a pre cooked turkey be?
Make sure to heat your pre-cooked turkey to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. If you’re looking to save time and effort, an already-cooked turkey simplifies one of the major projects involved in preparing Thanksgiving dinner. But pre-cooked doesn’t mean you’re off the hook entirely when it comes to preparation and food safety.
How long do you cook a precooked turkey breast?
Place the turkey breast on a baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes per pound, or until heated through. * Stovetop: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the turkey breast and cook for 5-7 minutes per side, or until heated through. Q: How long can I keep a precooked turkey breast in the fridge?
How do you reheat a turkey breast?
Heat the oven to 325°F, then place the turkey into a roasting pan breast-side down. The fat will trickle down the turkey and create a tender, juicy breast as the bird reheats. Wrap the turkey with foil place it into the oven. The standard calculation for reheating is 13-15 minutes for every pound of turkey.