There’s nothing quite like the tradition of smoked turkey on Thanksgiving – not only does it make for a delicious dinner that night, but the leftovers make for amazing sandwiches, soups, and other meals the next few days!
But, let’s face it – there’s never a bad time for smoked turkey. Waiting to enjoy it once a year is depriving yourself for no reason. We enjoy it at least a few times throughout the meal for not just special occasions but anytime we want something tasty, tender, and outside of the norm.
Pre-smoked turkeys are a great choice because they save you time and stress while ensuring a delicious flavor and the perfect texture every time. The only challenge comes in reheating these to bring out their full potential – but we’re here to help.
Learn how to reheat a smoked turkey without drying it out below, as we cover the oven method (our preferred approach), other techniques, and general advice on making the most of your turkey.
First things first, though – buy smoked turkey here at Mahogany Smoked Meats for the tastiest bird and the simplest, most convenient process. It’s really this easy:
Place your order today, and while you’re anxiously anticipating its arrival, learn how to reheat a whole smoked turkey below!
How to Reheat Smoked Turkey Legs in a Slow Cooker for Maximum Tenderness and Flavor
Smoked turkey legs are a delicious treat, but enjoying their rich, smoky flavor again means properly reheating them without drying them out. A slow cooker provides the ideal method for reheating smoked turkey legs to tender, juicy perfection.
With its moist, gentle heat, a slow cooker allows you to reheat turkey legs evenly without overcooking. Infusing flavorful liquid keeps the meat juicy and delivers extra taste. Set it and forget it—the hands-off convenience of slow cooker reheating makes it easy to enjoy deliriously tender smoked turkey legs anytime with no hassle.
Follow this simple guide to learn how to reheat smoked turkey legs in a slow cooker to bring out their best texture and flavor
Benefits of Using a Slow Cooker
Reheating smoked turkey legs in a slow cooker has many advantages:
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Even, gentle heating prevents dried out, overcooked meat.
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Thorough cooking without hot spots from direct heat.
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Adding liquid infuses moisture and extra flavor into the turkey.
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Provides hassle-free, hands-off reheating while you do other things.
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Keeps the smoky, roasted flavor intact instead of diluting it.
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Low, moist heat tenderizes turkey for fall-off-the-bone texture.
The direct heat of an oven or skillet can overcook and dry out smoked turkey legs. But the gently circulated heat of a slow cooker gives time for flavors to meld without toughening the meat, so you get the best results.
Choosing the Right Slow Cooker Size
Pick a slow cooker large enough to hold the turkey legs in a single layer without crowding. Allow a little extra space for the braising liquid. For 2-4 turkey legs, a 4-6 quart cooker is ideal. Too large and the cooker may struggle to maintain temperature. Too small and the legs won’t have room to heat evenly.
Prepping the Turkey Legs
Take the turkey legs straight from the fridge; do not thaw first if frozen. Remove any trussing, twine, or stuffing. Cut into smaller portions if needed so legs fit in a single layer. Pat dry with paper towels. If smoked turkey was frozen, thaw legs completely in the refrigerator before slow cooker reheating.
Adding Flavorful Liquid
Pour braising liquid like broth, stock, juice or water into the slow cooker, enough to cover the bottom. Turkey or chicken stock adds the most flavor. The liquid provides gentle moisture so the turkey reheats without drying out.
Placing Legs in the Slow Cooker
Arrange legs in the slow cooker,trying to keep them in a single layer. Turn to coat all sides in liquid. Cover legs as much as possible with the braising liquid while still exposing some surface to heat up.
Cooking on Low
Cover and cook turkey legs on the low setting for 2-4 hours until heated through to 165°F internal temperature. Low heat around 200°F allows thorough, even reheating without overcooking the exterior before the center is hot.
Shredding, Slicing and Seasoning
Use two forks to gently shred smoked turkey meat if desired. Or slice into portions for serving. Taste and season with any extra spices, herbs or sauces to boost flavor.
Letting Rest and Absorbing Juices
Once cooked, let turkey legs rest in the hot slow cooker for 5-10 minutes with the heat off. This allows juices to redistribute so meat stays moist and tender. The braising liquid makes an easy au jus or gravy.
Tips for the Best Results
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For whole legs or turkey, increase cooking time to 4-6 hours on low. Rotate halfway through.
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Add diced onions, carrots, celery and garlic to the cooker for extra flavor.
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Stir in barbecue sauce, broth, pan drippings or turkey gravy for more moisture and taste.
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Cook just until turkey reaches 165°F internally and is hot throughout for food safety.
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Let turkey legs rest 5 minutes before carving to allow juices to reabsorb.
Smoked Turkey Leg Slow Cooker FAQs
Get answers to common questions about reheating smoked turkey legs in a slow cooker:
How long does it take to reheat turkey legs in a slow cooker?
Time varies based on size. Plan on 2-4 hours for most turkey leg portions, and 4-6 for whole legs or turkey on low heat. Cook frozen legs 1-2 hours longer.
Should you add liquid when reheating in a slow cooker?
Yes, braising liquid is key for reheating smoked meat without drying out. Use broth, stock or water to cover the bottom of the slow cooker.
What temperature should I use to reheat turkey legs?
Cook legs on the low setting around 200°F. High heat can overcook the exterior before the center reheats fully.
Can I reheat a whole turkey leg in a slow cooker?
You can reheat whole legs or partial turkey legs as long as the slow cooker is large enough. Add more liquid to cover.
Is it safe to reheat smoked turkey in a slow cooker?
Yes, it is safe when turkey reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Use a meat thermometer to verify doneness.
Can I add seasoning or sauce to the slow cooker?
Yes, add spices, herbs, barbecue sauce, etc. to infuse extra flavor into the turkey legs as they reheat.
Delicious Ways to Use Leftover Smoked Turkey
Enjoy smoked turkey in all types of dishes:
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Pile sliced turkey on sandwiches, pitas and wraps with cheese, lettuce, pickles and mustard.
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Make turkey veggie soup or wild rice and turkey soup.
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Toss cubed turkey into salads, pasta, fried rice or tomato sauce for pasta.
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Stuff turkey into omelets, breakfast burritos, stratas or frittatas.
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Fold into enchiladas, tacos, empanadas or tamales.
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Create creamy turkey and vegetable casseroles or pot pies.
Thanks to the tenderizing low heat of the slow cooker, reheating smoked turkey legs couldn’t be easier. With this simple method, you can enjoy their rich smoky flavor and moist, fork-tender texture whenever you want an easy, delicious meal.
Preparing to Reheat Smoked Turkey
If you’re reheating a frozen smoked turkey you need to give it ample time to thaw at room temperature. This can take a while, so be sure to give yourself plenty of runway before you need to serve the turkey. A 10-12 pound turkey can take well over a day to defrost in the fridge.
While you can certainly speed things up by putting the bird right in the oven or even placing it in a tub of hot water, this can cause thermal shock and affect the final product.
This is also a good time to check the turkey for any signs of spoilage, especially if you’re pulling it out of the freezer after long-term storage or out of the fridge after initially reheating it a few days ago.
How to Reheat a Smoked Turkey Without Drying it Out
There’s a fine line between reheating a smoked turkey to the ideal temperature and overdoing it, leaving the meat dry and zapping the flavor from it. Don’t worry – all of this can be avoided with a bit of care. Here’s how to reheat a smoked turkey without drying it out.
Store bought smoked Turkey legs in crockpot
FAQ
Can you reheat a smoked turkey in a slow cooker?
For your safest, juiciest leftover turkey experience, we recommend reheating it one time—and one time only—and avoid reheating turkey in a slow cooker.Oct 30, 2024
How to heat fully cooked smoked turkey legs?
- Temperature: Use a moderate oven temperature around 350°F to prevent drying out the turkey legs.
- Foil cover: Loosely cover the dish with foil to retain moisture while reheating.
- Check doneness: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches a safe level (around 165°F).
How to reheat a turkey leg without drying it out?
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Low heat:Preheat your oven to a low temperature, around 300°F.
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Add liquid:Place the turkey leg in a baking dish and drizzle with chicken broth, turkey stock, or gravy.
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Cover tightly:Cover the dish completely with aluminum foil to create a steamy environment.
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Monitor temperature:Use a meat thermometer to ensure the turkey leg reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
How to keep turkey legs warm after smoking?
Once the turkey legs are cool, place them in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in plastic or tinfoil. They will keep for 3-4 days. To reheat, the easiest way is to place them in aluminum foil over a grill and gently warm them up on the grill grates.
How do you reheat smoked turkey legs?
Separate the legs from white meat when reheating smoked turkey. Place in a pan covered with foil and reheat in a 325 to 350 degree oven until the meat reaches a temperature of around 155 degrees. It is not necessary to re-cook the turkey, just heat it to serving temperature.
Can You reheat leftover turkey legs?
Bring legs from fridge directly to oven or microwave – don’t leave at room temp. Discard any turkey legs left out more than 2 hours or past 4 days in fridge. With the proper reheating technique, your leftover turkey legs can taste incredibly moist, tender and delicious. Choose a gentle reheating method like the oven or slow cooker.
Can you cook thawed turkey legs in a slow cooker?
Serve turkey legs immediately once skin is browned and crispy. Using a slow cooker is an incredibly easy, hands-off way to reheat turkey legs. Simply add legs and set it: Place thawed turkey legs in slow cooker. Add 1/2 cup broth or water. Cook on HIGH for 3-4 hours until heated through. Switch to WARM setting to hold legs until ready to serve.
Can you cook frozen smoked turkey legs in a slow cooker?
Frozen smoked turkey legs can be cooked in a slow cooker. However, it’s important to note that a smoked turkey is already cooked when purchased, similar to a spiral-sliced ham.
How long do you cook turkey legs in a slow cooker?
The slow cooker gently reheats turkey legs until tender and juicy. Place turkey legs in the slow cooker and add 1/2 cup turkey broth, water or wine. Cook on HIGH for 3-4 hours or LOW for 6-8 hours until heated through (165°F). Alternatively, cook legs on HIGH 2-3 hours or LOW 4-6 hours then switch setting to WARM to hold legs until ready to serve.
Can You reheat smoked turkey legs in microwave?
Store-bought smoked turkey is fully cooked and ready to eat, cold or warmed, but warming certainly helps bring out the flavors. The best way to reheat smoked turkey legs is in a low oven, but you can use your microwave if you’re in a hurry.