Our easy-to-follow cooking instructions will teach you how to reheat turkey, and our expert tips will help you keep the meat as juicy as possible.
Learn how to reheat your leftover roast turkey so that it stays juicy and tasty to get the most out of it. Advertisement.
Theres so much you can do with leftover turkey. In almost any recipe that calls for chicken, it works, but because it’s so lean, the breast meat can get dry at times. That won’t happen this time, and we’ll show you how to reheat turkey so you can eat it again as is or use it in a different dish.
There is a foolproof turkey guide that will answer all of your cooking questions. Our best ever turkey recipes will help you plan the largest roast ever.
Take a look at our favorite Christmas dinner recipes for more ideas. Our Christmas kitchen can answer all of your holiday questions.
Leftover turkey is a cherished part of the holiday season. But to enjoy it without worry, you need to reheat turkey safely to an internal temperature that destroys bacteria. Read on to learn the proper reheating temperature for turkey plus tips to revive your leftovers without overcooking.
Why Temperature Matters When Reheating Turkey
Serving your family flavorful, tender turkey leftovers starts with understanding safe food handling. The United States Department of Agriculture recommends reheating turkey to an internal temperature of 165°F to eliminate illness-causing bacteria.
Some key food safety tips:
- Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours
- Store turkey 3-4 days max
- Thaw frozen turkey in the fridge
Follow these refrigeration guidelines to prevent bacterial growth, Then reheat thoroughly before enjoying leftovers
Reheating Turkey in the Oven
Using the oven is an easy, hands-off way to reheat turkey while ensuring food safety. Here’s how:
- Preheat oven to 325°F
- Slice turkey into smaller pieces
- Arrange in a single layer in a baking dish
- Splash turkey with a little broth or stock
- Cover pan with foil
- Heat 20-30 minutes until 165°F internal temp
The low oven temperature prevents overdrying as the turkey gently warms. Double check the temperature with a food thermometer before serving.
Microwave Turkey to 165°F
You can quickly reheat day-old turkey in the microwave Follow these steps for safety
- Microwave turkey slices in a microwave-safe dish
- Add a splash of broth or gravy
- Cover with a damp paper towel
- Heat at 50% power in 1-minute intervals
- Check internal temp and continue heating to 165°F
Cutting turkey into smaller pieces helps it reheat evenly. Use lower microwave power to prevent overcooking edges before the inside is hot.
Tips for Checking Turkey Temperature
Using an instant-read thermometer ensures turkey reaches the 165°F safe zone. Here are some tips:
- Insert thermometer into thickest part of breast
- Make sure it doesn’t touch bone
- Wait 15 seconds for an accurate reading
- Wash thermometer after each use
Take turkey’s temperature in multiple spots to confirm even reheating. Better safe than sorry when handling poultry!
Play It Safe with Stuffing and Gravy Too
Any side dishes containing turkey also need reheating to 165°F. Follow these guidelines:
- Reheat stuffing, casseroles, and gravy separately from turkey
- Use a thermometer to check temperature
- Bring gravy to a boil when reheating
Stuffing and gravy are prime bacterial breeding grounds. Reheating thoroughly prevents foodborne illness.
Can You Eat Cold Turkey Leftovers?
Cold turkey stored properly in the refrigerator is safe to eat without reheating. However, leftovers will taste far more delicious heated up.
If pressed for time, focus on food safety:
- Store turkey in shallow containers for quick cooling
- Refrigerate within 2 hours after serving
- Use within 3-4 days
Make sure to scrub hands, utensils, and surfaces that touched raw turkey to avoid cross-contamination.
Mouthwatering Ways to Enjoy Leftover Turkey
Once you’ve safely reheated leftover turkey, get creative with these easy ideas:
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Pile turkey on toasted bread with cranberry sauce for open-face sandwiches
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Toss with barbecue sauce and serve on buns
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Make chef’s salad with turkey, ham, cheese, veggies and homemade dressing
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Use in lieu of chicken in casseroles and soups
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Fold into enchiladas or tacos for a Mexican turkey twist
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Simmer turkey meatballs in tomato sauce for an appetizer
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Dice for omelets, breakfast hash or fried rice
When stored and handled safely, leftover turkey offers endless quick, delicious options for days after the big meal.
Reheat Turkey Thoroughly for Healthy Holiday Leftovers
Don’t take risks with holiday turkey leftovers. Always reheat thoroughly to the safe internal temperature of 165°F. Use an appliance thermometer to verify the turkey reaches this temperature throughout.
Follow proper refrigeration guidelines and consume within 3-4 days. With safe handling, you can savor every last morsel of your holiday bird without worry.
How to reheat turkey
When you want to reheat leftover turkey to eat as is, these are the best options.
How to keep your turkey succulent
If the turkey meat starts out dry, there won’t be much hope for it once it’s gone cold. But, there are a couple of things you can do to ensure the most succulent roast beforehand.
You can make the roast much more juicy by salting the raw turkey all over up to two days before you roast it. You can season a whole bird up to two days ahead of time, a crown up to one day ahead of time, but a boneless turkey breast before the night before.
See more details in our turkey brining guide.
How to Reheat Leftover Turkey for the Best Meat and Crisp Skin
FAQ
How to rewarm turkey without drying it out?
Is a turkey fully cooked at 165 degrees?
How long does it take to reheat a 20 pound turkey?
How to keep turkey warm after cooking?
How do you reheat a Turkey in the oven?
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 in a microwave?
Add a single layer of similarly-sized pieces of sliced, chopped, or shredded turkey to a microwave-safe baking dish. Top with a little broth or gravy, cover with plastic wrap, then microwave at 70 percent power for 2 minutes. Check the temperature, and if it’s not to 165°F, reheat for 30-second intervals until it hits that food-safe mark.
How do you reheat a turkey without drying it out?
To not dry out a turkey, you need to add moisture when you reheat the meat. You’ll see in our reheating methods that we add homemade gravy, chicken stock or butter to the turkey before heating it up low and slow. This ensures that juices in the turkey won’t escape as steam when they’re exposed to heat.
How high should a turkey roast be reheated?
That said, you won’t want to turn the oven up as high as you did for the original roasting. When reheating large pieces of turkey, it’s a good idea to use an instant-read thermometer to make sure each piece reaches 165°F.
How long do you reheat a fried turkey?
Reheat for about 20-30 minutes, adjusting the time based on quantity and thickness. If you’re short on time or reheating a plate for one, the microwave can be super handy but it should be done carefully as it leaves you with dried-out turkey.
How long do you cook a Turkey in the oven?
Place the turkey in a a single layer in an 8×8-inch baking dish. Cover the turkey with broth and dot with the butter. Add the broth and dot the turkey with the pieces of butter. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil. Reheat in the oven for 30 to 35 minutes. Bake until the turkey is heated through, 30 to 35 minutes.