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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.
Mastering the Art of Reheating Juicy Turkey Legs
Leftover turkey legs from a holiday feast are a delicious treat, but properly reheating them is key. With the right techniques, you can enjoy moist, flavorful reheated turkey legs that taste as good as the day they were cooked. This guide will walk you through the best methods for reheating turkey legs while maintaining texture and moisture.
Proper Storage for Leftover Turkey Legs
The first step for great reheated turkey legs is proper storage after your initial meal. Place any uneaten turkey legs in an airtight container or resealable plastic freezer bag. Refrigerate for 3-4 days maximum. For longer term storage you can freeze legs for 2-3 months. Make sure to wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or foil before freezing.
Always thaw frozen turkey legs overnight in the refrigerator if freezing them. Never thaw meat at room temperature, as bacteria can quickly multiply.
Why Reheating Method Matters
Choosing the right reheating method makes all the difference when it comes to preserving moisture and texture. Turkey legs contain a lot of collagen and connective tissue that requires gentle, indirect heat over time to reheat while staying tender.
High, direct heat can cause turkey legs to dry out and toughen quickly. On the other hand, slow indirect heat allows time for the meat to warm gradually without losing juiciness.
Oven Reheating for Hands-Off Convenience
One of the easiest, most hands-off ways to reheat turkey legs is in the oven. The indirect, gentle heat deliciously warms the meat without drying.
- Preheat oven to 325°F. Line a baking sheet with foil.
- Wrap legs loosely in more foil, leaving room for steam circulation.
- Arrange legs on baking sheet, not touching.
- Heat 30-45 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Let rest 5 minutes before unwrapping foil to serve.
Microwave Reheating for Quickness
The microwave can rapidly reheat turkey legs in minutes. Keep the power low and use short cooking times to prevent toughening.
- Place legs on a microwave-safe plate, apart.
- Cover loosely with a paper towel or vented plastic wrap.
- Microwave at 50% power in 1-2 minute intervals until 165°F internal temp.
- Allow to rest 2-3 minutes before serving.
Stovetop Skillet for Crisping the Skin
Reheating turkey legs in a skillet allows you to recrisp the skin while warming the meat. Use medium-low heat and keep legs moving.
- Heat 1 tsp oil in a skillet over medium-low.
- Add legs and cook 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally.
- Add 1-2 tbsp water or broth and cover to steam if needed.
- Once heated through, increase heat to high to crisp skin, flipping frequently.
Slow Cooker for Ultra-Moist Meat
A slow cooker gently reheats turkey legs with no effort required. Simply add legs and set the cooker:
- Place thawed turkey legs in slow cooker.
- Add 1/2 cup broth or water.
- Cook on HIGH 3-4 hours until heated through.
- Switch to WARM to hold legs until serving.
Enhance Flavor While Reheating
You can significantly boost flavor when reheating by:
- Coating legs in broth, barbecue sauce, or gravy before reheating.
- Seasoning with poultry seasoning, garlic powder, rosemary and other herbs.
- Stuffing the cavity with onion, celery, carrots and fresh herbs.
- Brushing melted butter or olive oil over the legs before serving.
Getting the Skin Crispy
Achieving crispy skin on reheated turkey legs makes them even more irresistible.
- Broil legs 2-3 minutes until skin browns and crisps.
- Coat with brown sugar, cayenne or smoked paprika for crunch.
- Quickly fry or sauté skin-side down in oil to finish.
Serving Suggestions
Reheated turkey legs deserve delicious accompaniments. Consider:
- Cranberry compote, salsa or chutney for contrasting sweetness and tang.
- Mashed or roasted potatoes to soak up the lovely juices.
- Sautéed greens like kale or collards to balance the richness.
- Cornbread, biscuits or rolls to round out the meal.
With proper technique, leftovers can be transformed into fabulous second meals. Follow these tips for reheating juicy, flavorful turkey legs just as tasty as the originals.
Common Questions About Reheating Turkey Legs
Turkey legs are delicious, but reheating them properly is important. Here are some common questions about the best techniques:
How long does it take to reheat a turkey leg in the oven?
In a 325°F oven, turkey legs will take 30-45 minutes to fully reheat to an internal temperature of 165°F. Check periodically and extend time if needed.
Should you wrap turkey legs in foil when reheating?
Yes, wrapping legs loosely in foil helps retain moisture when reheating in the oven. Leave room for steam circulation inside the foil packet.
What happens if you reheat turkey legs without foil?
Reheating turkey legs without foil allows moisture to escape, causing the meat to dry out. Wrapping legs in foil keeps reheating time low and gentle.
Can you reheat turkey legs straight from the freezer?
It is unsafe to reheat frozen turkey legs without thawing first. Always thaw legs fully in the refrigerator before reheating.
Is it better to reheat turkey legs in the oven or microwave?
The oven provides gentler, more hands-off reheating, while the microwave is quicker. Both can yield delicious results when used properly.
Whatinternal temperature should reheated turkey legs reach?
For food safety, reheated turkey legs need to reach an internal temperature of 165°F. Use a meat thermometer to confirm they are fully hot.
How can you get the skin on reheated turkey legs crispy again?
To crispy up the skin after reheating legs, broil, fry or sauté briefly until browned and crispy. Seasonings like brown sugar also add crunch.
Does covering turkey legs when reheating make them soggy?
Covering legs when reheating traps in steam which helps keep the meat moist and juicy. Just don’t wrap too tightly in foil or the skin may become soggy.
With the right gentle reheating techniques, leftover turkey legs can be just as tender, juicy and delicious as they were right off the grill or smoker. Follow these handy tips for turkey leg reheating success.
Table of Contents
Introduction
The Dos and Don’ts of Reheating Turkey Legs
Why Low and Slow Reheating is Best
Step-by-Step Instructions for Reheating Turkey Legs
- Oven Reheating
- Microwave Reheating
- Stovetop Skillet Reheating
- Slow Cooker Reheating
Tips for Maximizing Flavor and Texture
Frequently Asked Questions About Reheating Turkey Legs
Conclusion
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 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!
How to Reheat Leftover Turkey for the Best Meat and Crisp Skin
FAQ
How do you reheat a turkey leg 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
Can I reheat a turkey leg in the air fryer?
Once they have cooled, place leftover turkey legs in an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat: To reheat them in the air fryer, set your air fryer to 350 degrees F and lightly spray or coat the basket with oil. Cook for 5-7 minutes or until heated through.
How to reheat a state fair turkey leg?
You just heat them in the oven. So we’re just gonna put them in a pan, put some of this homemade chicken broth on it, preheat the oven to 3:50, and then cover it with foil and get them warm.
How to reheat precooked turkey in the oven?
First, preheat your oven to 325° F. Remove the turkey from the aluminum foil wrapping and place in a roasting pan. Pour 1 cup of water in the bottom of the pan and cover the turkey with a tented sheet of aluminum foil. For a 10-12 pound cooked turkey, bake for one hour, or until the turkey is 125° F.