Every item on this page was chosen by a The Pioneer Woman editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.
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.
As Thanksgiving approaches, many of us look forward to enjoying delicious smoked turkey But after the big feast, you’re often left with lots of tasty leftover turkey. Reheating smoked turkey can be tricky though, as it’s easy to accidentally dry it out and ruin all that rich smoky flavor.
After doing extensive research and experimenting with different techniques, I’ve discovered the best methods for reheating smoked turkey without drying it out. In this ultimate guide, I’ll walk you through step-by-step how to reheat both whole smoked turkeys and turkey portions. Follow these tips and you’ll be enjoying moist, flavorful leftover turkey all week long.
Reheating a Whole Smoked Turkey
When reheating a whole turkey that’s been smoked low and slow is the key. You want to bring the turkey up to a safe internal temperature of 165°F without overcooking the meat.
Here’s how to do it:
1. Thaw the Turkey Completely
If your smoked turkey is frozen, you’ll need to thaw it completely before reheating This can take 1-2 days in the fridge depending on the size. Don’t rush the process by thawing at room temperature.
2. Remove the Turkey from the Fridge 30 Minutes Before Reheating
Once thawed, take the turkey out of the fridge about 30 minutes before you plan to reheat it. This lets it come closer to room temperature for more even reheating.
3. Preheat the Oven to 325°F
Preheating the oven to a moderate 325°F is a key step. This temperature will gently heat the turkey without drying it out.
4. Place Turkey Breast-Side Up on a Rack in a Roasting Pan
Put the turkey on a rack in a roasting pan so air can circulate all around for even heating. Place it breast-side up.
5. Tent Turkey Loosely with Foil; Add Broth to the Pan
Loosely tent foil over the turkey, leaving some openings for steam to escape. Pour 1-2 cups of broth in the bottom of the pan to keep the turkey moist.
6. Reheat for 10-15 Minutes Per Pound
Figure 10-15 minutes per pound to sufficiently reheat the turkey without overdoing it. Use a meat thermometer to confirm it reaches 165°F.
7. Let Turkey Rest 10 Minutes Before Carving
Once reheated, let the turkey rest about 10 minutes before carving. This allows juices to redistribute so meat stays moist.
Follow these simple steps and your leftover smoked turkey will be juicy and delicious. The broth in the pan also makes an amazing gravy base.
Reheating Smoked Turkey Portions
Besides whole birds, you may have leftovers like smoked turkey breast, legs, wings, or sliced meat. Here are the best ways to reheat turkey portions without drying them out:
Oven (Breast, Legs, Wings)
- Preheat oven to 350°F
- Place turkey pieces on a baking sheet
- Reheat for 15-20 minutes until heated through (165°F)
Skillet (Sliced or Diced Meat)
- Heat broth, butter, or oil in a skillet over medium heat
- Add turkey meat and cook until heated through
Microwave (Sliced or Diced Meat)
- Place turkey in a microwave-safe dish
- Microwave on High in 30 second intervals until heated through
- Watch closely to avoid overheating
Soup or Chili (Sliced or Diced Meat)
- Add turkey pieces when reheating soup or chili
- Cook until heated through
Casserole (Sliced or Diced Meat)
- Fold turkey meat into casseroles
- Bake casserole until inner temperature reaches 165°F
Helpful Tips for Reheating Leftover Smoked Turkey
Here are some additional pointers to ensure your reheated smoked turkey stays tender and moist:
-
Bring turkey to room temperature before reheating for more even heating.
-
Use a lower oven temperature (325°F) and reheat slowly.
-
Tent turkey with foil to prevent drying out.
-
Let turkey rest about 10 minutes after reheating so juices redistribute.
-
Add broth, gravy, or sauce to introduce moisture.
-
Cook stuffing and turkey separately to prevent overdrying.
-
Avoid reheating more than once to preserve texture and moisture.
-
Slice turkey before reheating portions to allow quicker, more even heating.
Enjoy Your Leftover Smoked Turkey All Week Long
With these techniques, you can look forward to smoked turkey sandwiches, soups, casseroles, and more all week after Thanksgiving. Smoked turkey is too delicious to waste.
Just remember to reheat it slowly at lower temperatures and add moisture whenever possible. Follow this guide and you’ll be enjoying tender, juicy leftover turkey with all that wonderful smoky flavor.
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!
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 warm up a smoked turkey without drying it out?
FAQ
How to reheat a fully cooked smoked turkey?
How do you keep turkey moist when reheating?
How do you reheat a precooked whole turkey without drying it out?
How do you reheat a smoked turkey without drying it out?
Here’s how to reheat a smoked turkey without drying it out. It’s the easiest way to get a perfectly moist, tender and delicious turkey every time! Preheat the oven to 325°F and adjust the oven racks to make room for the roasting pan. Set the roasting rack in the pan and pour the water into the bottom of the shallow pan.
What temperature should smoked turkey be reheated?
Make sure to reheat your store-bought smoked turkey to at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit. This ensures that your cooked turkey meat doesn’t have any harmful bacteria growing on it. However, some people like to reheat it to 165 degrees Fahrenheit. However, that can result in dry turkey meat.
How long does it take to reheat a Turkey?
275 degrees F – If you are working with an oven temperature of 275 degrees. Fahrenheit then reheating that turkey could take as long as 3 to 4 hours, depending on how big it is. Once you have reached the desired internal temperature, you can then take it out of the oven. Just be sure to let it rest for about 30 minutes.
Can You reheat a cooked turkey without drying it out?
Since the turkey is already cooked, this is a safe practice and will make it easier to reheat without drying it out. Before placing the turkey in the oven, wrap it in foil to help retain moisture during the reheating process. Selecting the right oven temperature for reheating your turkey is crucial to avoid drying it out.