Are Smoked Turkey Slices Already Cooked and Ready to Eat?

Smoked turkey slices have become a popular deli meat choice thanks to their rich, smoky flavor. The smoking process gives the turkey a delicious taste while altering its texture. But can you safely eat smoked turkey right out of the pack? Or does it require cooking first? Let’s find out.

Overview of Smoked Turkey Production

Smoked turkey is made by exposing whole turkeys or turkey breasts to smoke generated by burning hardwoods like hickory, mesquite, applewood or cherrywood This is done in a specialized smoker oven at low temperatures between 170-250°F for up to 8 hours.

The smoke infuses into the meat, both seasoning it and acting as a preservative. Many commercial smoked turkey products also get cooked to a fully safe temperature during production.

Pre-Cooking of Sliced Deli Smoked Turkey

When you purchase packaged sliced smoked turkey at the deli counter or grocery store, it has already been fully cooked and is safe to eat right out of the package without further cooking. Here’s why:

The raw turkey is hot smoked at over 165°F until fully cooked through.
After smoking, it is chilled to 40°F or less before slicing to prevent bacterial growth.
The slices are then packaged in sealed containers to inhibit contamination.

As long as the cold chain remains unbroken, deli-style smoked turkey can be consumed straight from the pack without additional preparation or cooking.

Other Safety Tips for Enjoying Smoked Turkey

To safely enjoy smoked turkey slices:

Check expiration or use-by date and only eat before that date.
Verify package is sealed with no rips, tears or openings.
Refrigerate promptly after purchase and maintain temperature at 40°F or below.
Discard after 3-5 days once opened, or by use-by date if unopened.
Rinse under clean running water before eating if concerned about surface bacteria.

Following basic food safety practices helps prevent the risk of any illness when eating ready-to-eat smoked meats like turkey.

Serving and Using Pre-Cooked Smoked Turkey Slices

Because deli-sliced smoked turkey is fully cooked, you can enjoy it:

By itself as a protein: On sandwiches, wraps, pitas or flatbreads. Add cheese, veggies, condiments.
On salads or bowls: Pair with greens, grains, other proteins, dressings, toppers.
In snacks: Roll up with cream cheese and veggies for an easy appetizer.
In charcuterie: Serve alongside cheeses, crackers, nuts, jams, pickles, etc.
In scrambles or omelets: Dice and add to egg dishes for a smoky boost.
In casseroles or bakes: Use instead of rotisserie chicken in pot pies, enchiladas, pasta bakes, etc.

The applications are endless for incorporating ready-to-eat smoked turkey into quick everyday meals and dishes.

Smoking Turkey at Home

If you smoke a whole turkey or breast at home, you CANNOT safely eat it straight from the smoker. Home-smoked raw turkey must always be cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F before consuming to eliminate bacteria. Use a food thermometer to verify doneness.

Only purchase smoked turkey labeled “fully cooked” if you plan to eat it without additional preparation. Follow all food safety guidelines when storing, handling and serving for optimal quality and freshness.

is smoked turkey slices already cooked

How to Heat and Serve – Smoked and Fully Cooked Turkey

FAQ

Is a smoked turkey already cooked?

Butterball Smoked Whole Turkeys are fully cooked and ready to eat. They can be used in recipes calling for cooked turkey without prior heating. The pink color of the meat comes from smoking and curing and is not a sign of undercooked meat.

How to eat smoked turkey slices?

Preferred Method: One of our favorite sandwiches is to get 2 sourdough slices, add mayo on one side and Dijon mustard on the other one. Add the layers in this sequence, lettuce , smoked turkey slices, gruyere cheese, some pickles then tomato slices.

Does smoked mean fully cooked?

Simply put, fresh sausage is raw and uncooked, making it great as an ingredient, but you’ll need to cook it yourself. Smoked sausage is fully cooked, so you can eat it as is. In other words, you don’t need to cook smoked sausage for it to be safe for consumption, though you can if you prefer your sausage warmed up.

Are store-bought smoked turkey legs fully cooked?

Remember, they’re already cooked, so your job is to get them to a safe temperature. Over the years of experimenting with flavors and culinary methods, I’ve come to appreciate the ease of reheating some smoked meat.

How do you cook a smoked turkey?

Cook the turkey in the oven at 300 degrees until it reaches an internal temperature of 140 degrees on a thermometer. I think there are two kinds of people that like a smoked turkey. Those that want an already cooked turkey and those that genuinely like the smoky flavor. Ok It may be possible to be both of those kinds of people at the same time.

Can you eat smoked turkey cold?

Although you can eat smoked turkey cold, it’s recommended to reheat it to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) as a safety precaution and for a better flavor. Can I use the sous vide method to reheat smoked turkey?

Should I cook smoked turkey if it’s still frozen?

If your smoked turkey is still frozen on the day of, I would still cook it, It’s easer than a raw turkey that has to get to a higher temperature. It’s still going to take longer and it’s a higher chance you are going to dry it out before its hot enough. Cook it until it hits 140 degrees.

What temperature should smoked turkey be cooked to?

However, already cooked smoked turkey doesn’t need to get to 165. It just needs to get to the point of being out of the so-called danger zone. This is the temperature range that dangerous bacteria like to grow. Your chances of getting sick increase if your food is in this danger zone too long. The range is from 40-140 degrees.

Can You reheat a smoked turkey?

If you are going to take the time to reheat a smoked turkey, you could just smoke the turkey yourself. Smoking your own turkey may not take as long as it seems. If you buy a frozen smoked turkey, the time you spend thawing it and then reheating it, won’t be much different then if you smoked a fresh turkey yourself.

How long do you cook a smoked turkey in a slow cooker?

Reduce heat to low and simmer for 20-25 minutes per pound, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. * To reheat a whole smoked turkey in a slow cooker, place the turkey in a slow cooker. Cover the turkey with liquid and cook on low for 4-6 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.