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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.
The holidays just aren’t complete without leftover turkey sandwiches, casseroles, and soups However, improperly reheated turkey can dry out and lose its flavor An electric roaster is the perfect appliance for reheating leftover turkey so it stays moist and delicious. Follow these simple tips for turkey that tastes like you just carved it.
Why Use an Electric Roaster?
Electric roasters have several advantages over ovens and microwaves when reheating turkey
- Large capacity fits a whole turkey or pan of leftovers
- Moist heat prevents drying out the meat
- Cooks evenly without hot spots
- Lets you keep food warm for serving
- Portable for easy transport to parties or potlucks
With an electric roaster you can reheat a full Thanksgiving turkey, a picked-over carcass, or just leftovers. The moist gentle heat brings the meat back to life.
Prepare the Turkey and Roaster
First, remove any stuffing from the turkey cavity. Stuffing can harbor bacteria and should be reheated separately.
Next, place the turkey pieces or carved meat in the roaster pan. Add a little turkey or chicken stock, broth, or even water to the bottom to help moisten the meat.
Finally, set the electric roaster to 225-250°F. The low heat will evenly bring the turkey up to a safe 165°F internal temperature without drying it out.
Reheating Timing
Follow these reheating times as a guide:
- Whole leftover turkey: About 1 hour
- Turkey pieces or half turkey: 30-45 minutes
- Sliced or pulled turkey meat: 20-30 minutes
Use a meat thermometer to confirm the turkey reaches 165°F. If reheating a whole bird or large pieces with bone, check the thickest part of the breast and thigh.
Keep the Turkey Moist
Basting and tenting are two easy ways to keep leftover turkey from drying out in the roaster:
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Baste: Brush or spoon pan juices over the turkey every 15 minutes. You can also drizzle with broth, wine, or melted butter.
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Tent: Cover the turkey loosely with foil to trap in steam and moisture. Avoid a tight seal which can make the skin soggy.
Finish with Crisp Skin
If the turkey skin becomes too soggy while reheating, simply pop it under the broiler for 2-3 minutes to crisp it back up. Watch closely to avoid burning.
Crisping the skin makes the turkey taste freshly roasted. Slice or pull the meat and serve immediately for the best texture.
Expert Tips for the Best Results
Follow these pro tips when using an electric roaster to reheat turkey:
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Carve turkey off the bone before reheating for more even heating.
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Place stuffing in a casserole dish and reheat separately at 350°F until hot.
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Use broth, wine or water in the roaster pan to add moisture. Chicken or turkey stock works well.
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Reheat gravy in a saucepan on the stovetop, adding water or milk if it thickens too much.
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Let the turkey rest 5-10 minutes after reheating before serving.
Get Creative with Leftovers
An electric roaster allows you to reheat Thanksgiving turkey in all its forms:
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Roast a whole leftover turkey for round 2.
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Reheat picked-over turkey pieces and scraps into casseroles or soup.
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Heat up sliced turkey for quick sandwiches.
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Make pulled turkey by reheating shredded meat in broth until fork-tender.
With an electric roaster you’ll be looking forward to leftovers! The moist gentle heat brings out the delicious flavors in your Thanksgiving bird.
FAQs About Reheating Turkey in an Electric Roaster
What temperature should I use to reheat turkey in an electric roaster?
Set the roaster to 225-250°F. This low heat evenly brings the turkey to a safe internal temperature without drying it out.
How long does it take to reheat a whole turkey in an electric roaster?
Plan on about 1 hour for a whole leftover turkey. Use a meat thermometer to confirm it reaches 165°F internally.
Can I reheat sliced turkey meat and gravy together in an electric roaster?
It’s best to reheat sliced turkey and gravy separately, then mix together before serving. Gravy can be reheated in a saucepan on the stovetop.
Should I tent the turkey with foil while reheating it in the electric roaster?
Yes, tenting the turkey loosely with foil helps keep it moist and prevents drying out. Avoid a tight seal on the foil which can make the skin soggy.
What temperature do I warm up stuffing to?
For food safety, stuffing should be heated to 165°F. Place it in a casserole dish and bake at 350°F until hot and steaming.
Reheating leftover turkey has never been easier than with an electric roaster. The large capacity and moist gentle heat allows you to revive everything from whole birds to small portions of meat. Next holiday, relax and let your electric roaster do the work!
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 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!.