It’s the nightmare scenario on Thanksgiving or any holiday when turkey is served – you pull the overcooked bird from the oven and realize it’s dried out and tough. Don’t panic! With some clever tricks, you can rescue even the most overcooked turkey.
At The Turkey Rescue, we’ve seen our fair share of poultry mishaps over the years. We’re sharing our best tips on how to fix overcooked turkey and make the most of it, no matter how dry it turned out.
How to Tell if Your Turkey is Overcooked
Signs that your turkey is overcooked include
- The skin is very dark brown or burnt in areas
- The meat feels very firm and dry
- The juices run clear with no hint of pink when piecing the thickest part
Use an instant-read thermometer to check doneness. For whole turkeys and turkey breasts 165°F is the minimum safe temperature but ideal is 155-165°F for juicy meat.
If the breast meat hits 180°F or above, it will likely be dry and you’ll need to implement some rehydrating techniques. Don’t worry – with these fixes, even the most overcooked turkey can be remedied.
10 Smart Ways to Remedy Overcooked Turkey
1. Submerge in broth
Place the carved turkey slices in a baking dish and cover with heated turkey or chicken broth. Cover and set in a low oven at 250°F for 10 minutes to rehydrate.
2. Coat with gravy
Spoon gravy over the sliced turkey on a platter before serving. The moisture from the gravy will make dry meat more palatable.
3. Chop and douse with stock
For casseroles or soups, chop or shred the turkey and then toss it with some turkey or chicken stock to add back moisture.
4. Make turkey salad
Chopped turkey dries out less when bound together in a creamy salad filling for sandwiches. Add mayo, celery, onion, cranberries, etc.
5. Sauté with liquid
Cook chopped turkey in a skillet with olive oil or broth. Sauté over high heat for a shorter cook time to avoid drying it out further.
6. Make stock from the carcass
Simmer the picked-over turkey carcass with veggies to extract every bit of flavor and moisture into a tasty stock.
7. Transform into pot pie
Submerge turkey chunks in gravy, veggies, and cream for a comforting pot pie where dryness won’t stand out.
8. Use as filler for tamales
Ground dry turkey still provides bulk, protein, and mild flavor to fill tamales, surrounded by moist masa dough.
9. Create turkey chili
Simmer bite-size turkey pieces in a sauce or thick stew where moisture is controlled. Chili is a great option!
10. Make turkey croquettes
Bind shredded turkey with egg, herbs, and breadcrumbs into tasty croquettes to mask any dryness.
Be Creative with Leftovers
The good news is dry turkey still has great flavor. With some creativity, you can transform leftovers into soups, pot pies, casseroles, salads, and more where you control the moisture level.
Don’t let overcooked turkey go to waste. Try shredding it small or chopping into pieces to minimize the dry texture. Then incorporate it into your favorite recipes as a filler, make flavorful broth from the carcass, or reconstitute in warm liquid.
Moisture-Adding Ingredients are Your Friends
When repurposing leathery turkey meat, look for ways to add back moisture:
- Gravy or broth/stock
- Creamy dairy like cream, cheese, sour cream
- Mayonnaise or yogurt for salads
- Tomato sauce or salsa
- Veggie purees like mashed potatoes
- Chopped fruits like cranberries or apples
- Cook with oil or other fats
With smart fixes and techniques, you can salvage even the most overcooked bird. Don’t let a dried-out turkey ruin your holiday meals. Follow these tips to make the most of it!
Notes
To make this recipe from scratch, roast turkey legs in an oven set to 400°F (200°C) for 45 to 60 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Then, follow the rest of the steps as written. Turkey scraps that are used to make stock can also be used to make tasty meat that can be browned in a skillet. Take out some dark meat, shred it, and then follow the steps in step 2 after making turkey stock or soup. Sour oranges can be purchased in a Latin market or well-stocked supermarket.
Leftover Turkey “Carnitas” Recipe
- Any amount of cooked dark meat turkey (thighs and drumsticks) that you have left over (see note)
- 1 sour orange for every pound (450 grams) of turkey meat that has been cut up (see note)
- 1/4 of a medium onion (about 6 ounces or 175 grams) for every pound (450 grams) of leftover turkey meat
- 1 bay leaf for every pound (450 grams) of turkey meat that you have left over
- 1 tablespoon of duck fat, chicken fat, vegetable oil, or turkey fat for every pound (450 grams) of leftover turkey meat
- Kosher salt
- Put the turkey meat (with bones if you have them), orange, onion, and bay leaf in a pot that is just big enough to hold them all. Add enough water to cover halfway. Cover and bring to a boil. Then lower the heat to a very low level and cook for 45 to 60 minutes, or until the turkey is so tender that it falls off the bone. Discard orange, onion, and bay leaves and drain turkey well. Shred turkey and discard bones.
- Put oil or fat in a cast iron or nonstick skillet and heat it over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Add turkey and spread into an even layer. Keep cooking for about 5 minutes, or until the bottom of the meat is well browned and crispy. Add new soft bits to the bottom and stir the turkey to mix the crisp bits in. Do this again and again until the turkey is as crispy as you like it (I like mine pretty crisp). Season with salt.
What can I do with a dry overcooked turkey?
FAQ
What to do if turkey gets done too soon?
What to do with burnt turkey?
What happens if turkey is not fully cooked?
Is overcooked turkey chewy?
Do you overcook a Turkey?
Psst: The secret is extra gravy. It’s that time of year again—when your oven is running 24/7, there’s a line of side dishes jostling for their turn, and that big, beautiful turkey is taking its sweet time, hogging all the room. With so much going on, it’s easy to lose track and do the unthinkable—overcook the turkey.
Can one have turkey and carrots?
Eating turkey and carrots is part of healthy habits. The turkey has meat like chicken and is another healthy poultry option. Carrots are rich in carotenoids, it is a source of vitamin A, fiber, potassium and vitamin B3.
How can I save an overcooked turkey?
If your turkey has been overcooked, cover the slices of meat with lots of delicious gravy. This can help salvage the turkey and no one will be the wiser. A really good gravy does a lot for even the driest cut of meat. (1. Let gravy save the day)
What to do with leftover turkey carcass?
Don’t toss that turkey carcass! Use it to make a delicious, nutrient rich, immune boosting turkey bone broth (stock). Perfect for sipping, soups, stews and gravy! Turkey Enchiladas are a cheesy baked Mexican inspired rolled tortilla dish made with leftover turkey, salsa roja and a three cheese blend.
What to do with leftover turkey & stuffing?
Take leftover turkey and stuffing and deep fry them to dip in gravy. It’s the BEST way to eat leftovers!
Can You overcook a dried-out Turkey?
With so much going on, it’s easy to lose track and do the unthinkable—overcook the turkey. But don’t worry—dried-out turkey can happen to the most experienced Thanksgiving cook. It’s not even necessarily your fault— turkeys are so darn huge that they take FOREVER to roast.