Can You Make Turkey Breast Ahead of Time? The Ultimate Guide

If it stresses you out to roast a turkey for a holiday meal on the same day it will be eaten, theres a simple solution: make it ahead. Goodbye stress. It takes time and attention to prep a turkey, roast it for several hours, let it rest, and carve it. You can do all that in advance, refrigerate it for 1-3 days, and all you have to do is heat it up when its time to serve your turkey dinner. Oh, what a relief it is!

Sure, you and your guests cant enjoy that delicious aroma of turkey roasting in the oven on the day of the big meal. But, maybe thats worth it if you can be more relaxed, have a more leisurely pace as you prepare the other parts of the meal and enjoy more time to visit with friends and family.

This make-ahead turkey tastes amazingly yummy and moist. The only thing that is compromised is crispy skin. It softens when its made ahead and refrigerated. It still tastes good, but it doesnt have that pleasing crunch from being freshly roasted. So, if crispy skin is really important to you, this make-ahead method may not be a good choice. For me, its worth it to have a more relaxed day.

Honestly, sometimes Im so exhausted by the time we sit down for our holiday meal that I can hardly enjoy the food. Thats why Ive become such a make-ahead girl. I do as much as possible in the days leading up to a holiday meal. I also have make-ahead recipes for mashed potatoes, gravy, soft dinner rolls, and cornbread stuffing. With this make-ahead turkey added to the menu, my Thanksgiving or Christmas meals can be the most relaxed days of the year in my kitchen.

Cooking a delicious turkey breast is often the centerpiece of holiday meals and special occasions. But preparing the perfect turkey breast can seem daunting especially when you’re short on time. The good news is with some advance planning, you can make your turkey breast ahead – helping reduce stress and letting you focus on other parts of the meal. Here’s everything you need to know about making turkey breast ahead of time.

Should You Cook Turkey Breast in Advance?

Cooking your turkey breast 1-2 days before serving provides several advantages:

Frees up oven space and stove top on the big day
Allows more time for brining, seasoning and preparing
Reduces last minute cooking stress
Makes carving easier when meat has rested
Provides flexibility for reheating and serving

As long as food safety guidelines are followed, preparing turkey breast ahead of time can ensure a tender and flavorful holiday centerpiece without the rushed cooking

Step-by-Step Guide

Here are the key steps for successfully making turkey breast ahead

1. Choose the Right Turkey Breast

Select a high quality, boneless, skin-on turkey breast between 5-7 pounds. Opt for frozen over fresh to allow more time for proper thawing.

2. Thaw the Turkey Breast

Place frozen breast in the refrigerator 2-3 days before cooking to safely thaw. This extended time prevents bacteria growth.

3. Brine the Breast

Soaking in a saltwater brine infuses flavor and locks in moisture. Brine for 10-12 hours before roasting.

4. Prepare Aromatics

Rub down the breast with softened butter or oil and sprinkle with herbs, spices, citrus or garlic for added flavor.

5. Roast the Turkey Breast

Cook at 300°F until the thickest part of breast reaches 165°F, about 2 hours for a 5 pound breast.

6. Cool and Refrigerate

Let rest 30 minutes before cooling, then store breast in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.

7. Slice and Reheat

On serving day, slice breast and reheat gently in a 300°F oven until warm, about 20 minutes.

Serving Suggestions

Once reheated, here are some tasty ways to serve your pre-made turkey breast:

Arrange slices on a platter with gravy for classic style
Pile on sandwiches with cranberry sauce and stuffing
Dice for salads, soups or casseroles
Pair with eggs and hashbrowns for a protein packed breakfast
Shred for taquitos, enchiladas or tamales

Get creative with the leftovers too! Turkey breast can be used in so many ways.

Storage and Food Safety Tips

When making your turkey breast ahead of time, proper storage and handling is critical:

Refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking to prevent bacteria growth.
Store breast meat in shallow airtight containers to allow rapid cooling.
Use within 3-4 days for peak freshness and flavor.
Freeze sliced breast up to 2-3 months for longer storage.
When reheating, use a food thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Follow these guidelines and you’ll keep your pre-made turkey breast tasting great while avoiding any food safety issues.

With some advance preparation, you can easily make flavorful turkey breast ahead of hectic holiday gatherings or celebrations. Carefully thaw, brine, roast and store the breast meat, then simply reheat and slice just before serving. Making turkey breast ahead takes the pressure off so you can focus on creating delicious sides and memories with loved ones.

can you make turkey breast ahead of time

A holiday meal stress buster! Roast and carve turkey in advance; reheat it to moist perfection.

can you make turkey breast ahead of time

1 roasted turkey*
1 cup chicken or turkey broth

Directions *See instructions for roasting a turkey at: www.theyummylife.com/Best_Roast_Turkey After roasted turkey comes out of the oven, cover loosely with foil and let rest 30-45 minutes to allow juices to settle. Carve turkey, slicing the larger breast pieces into 3/4″ thick slices. Arrange turkey slices and pieces on baking pan, with cut edges of breast slices pressed together to prevent them from drying out. Cover with plastic wrap, pressing it down onto the turkey to remove any air pockets. Cover entire pan with lid or aluminum foil. Refrigerate for up to 3 days. TO REHEAT: Remove pan of sliced turkey from refrigerator and rest at room temperature for 30 minutes. Remove lid and plastic wrap. Spread the slices out overlapping each one slightly, in an even layer in the pan. Drizzle broth over turkey. Cover with foil. Bake just until warmed through using one of these methods: FLASH REHEATING. Preheat oven to 450 degrees and heat covered pan of sliced turkey for approx. 7-15 minutes, or until turkey is heated through. STANDARD REHEATING. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and heat covered pan of sliced turkey for approx. 25-30 minutes, or until turkey is heated through. These reheating times are approximate. Ovens, pans, and depth of turkey can effect actual time required. Be careful not to over heat the turkey to avoid drying it out. TO SERVE: Transfer heated turkey to serving platter. Drizzle hot broth left in bottom of cooking pan over platter of turkey. Garnish with parsley and cranberries, if desired.

Can you cook a turkey ahead of time and reheat?

FAQ

Can I cook my turkey breast ahead of time?

Roasting your turkey ahead will save you the time spent testing and carving, allowing you to spend more time with your guests. It’s easy: Simply cook it a day or two in advance, let it cool completely, then carve the bird into large pieces—breasts, wings, thighs and drumsticks.

Can you cook a turkey ahead of time and reheat?

Did you know that you can roast a turkey for Thanksgiving a full day ahead of time, carve it, refrigerate it overnight, and then reheat it to juicy perfection on Thanksgiving Day? This wonderful method ensures a moist and flavorful bird and is much easier on the cook.

How do you reheat a turkey breast and keep it moist?

Place the turkey pieces in a baking dish and drizzle with a few tablespoons of stock and/or butter. Cover the dish with foil and heat in the oven at 350°F for about 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can microwave the sliced turkey (cover with a damp paper towel) in a microwave-safe dish at 50% power in 1-minute intervals.

Can you prepare a turkey the night before cooking?

If you’re pressed for time (or oven space), Make Ahead Roasted Turkey is just what you need. With this technique, cooking turkey the day before, the week before, or even the month before, still tastes delicious and freshly carved.