How Long Should You Cook a Fully Cooked Turkey? A Helpful Guide

Cooking a turkey can be an intimidating task, especially if you’ve never done it before. With so much time and effort going into preparing the perfect holiday bird, it’s understandable why some choose to take a shortcut and purchase a pre-cooked turkey instead. But even if your turkey is already fully cooked when you buy it, you still need to take care in storing, thawing, and reheating it properly to avoid foodborne illness. So how long should you cook a fully cooked turkey to make sure it’s safe to eat?

When handling and cooking a fully cooked turkey, it’s important to follow the safe food handling practices recommended by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). This will ensure you reheat the turkey thoroughly to kill any potential bacteria that could cause food poisoning Here’s a step-by-step guide to safely cooking a fully cooked turkey, including recommended cook times based on the turkey’s weight.

Storing a Fully Cooked Turkey

When you first bring your fully cooked turkey home from the store, proper storage is key to keeping it safe to eat The USDA recommends storing fully cooked turkey in the refrigerator at 40°F or below If you want to freeze your pre-cooked turkey for longer storage, keep it at 0°F or below.

Make sure to carefully follow any storage instructions provided on the turkey’s packaging. Some brands may have specific guidelines tailored to their products.

Thawing a Frozen Turkey

If your pre-cooked turkey is frozen, you’ll need to thaw it before cooking. The safest method is thawing in the refrigerator, allowing approximately 24 hours for every 5 pounds of turkey weight. For example, a 15 pound turkey would require about 3 days in the fridge to fully thaw.

Remove any packaging from the turkey and place it on a rimmed baking sheet or tray to catch any drips as it thaws. You can also thaw in cold water, allowing 30 minutes per pound and changing the water every 30 minutes. But refrigerator thawing is ideal as it helps prevent bacterial growth.

Once thawed, cook the turkey within 1 to 2 days. Do not refreeze a thawed turkey—this can increase the risk of foodborne illness.

Reheating a Fully Cooked Turkey

The safest way to reheat your fully cooked turkey is in the oven. This allows the heat to penetrate evenly throughout the meat, ensuring it reaches the proper internal temperature to kill any potential bacteria.

Follow these tips from the USDA for reheating in the oven:

• Preheat your oven to at least 325°F. Higher temperatures are fine, up to 375°F.
• Place the turkey in a shallow roasting pan, breast side up.
• Tent loosely with aluminum foil to help retain moisture.
• Bake until the turkey reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

How Long to Cook a Fully Cooked Turkey

The reheating time will vary depending on the size of your turkey. Plan for approximately 10-15 minutes per pound. Follow this cooking time estimate based on turkey weight:

• 10-12 lb turkey: 1 to 1 1/2 hours
• 12-14 lb turkey: 1 1/2 to 2 hours
• 14-16 lb turkey: 2 to 2 1/2 hours
• 16-18 lb turkey: 2 1/2 to 3 hours
• 18-20 lb turkey: 3 to 3 1/2 hours
• 20-22 lb turkey: 3 1/2 to 4 hours

Use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature, making sure to insert it into the thickest part of the breast and thigh. The turkey is safe to eat once it reaches 165°F throughout.

Let the fully reheated turkey rest for 15 minutes before carving. Then slice and serve immediately. Refrigerate any leftovers within 2 hours.

Can You Cook a Fully Cooked Turkey from Frozen?

It is possible to cook a frozen fully cooked turkey without thawing first, but it’s not recommended. Thawing ensures the turkey cooks evenly throughout. Cooking from frozen runs the risk of the outside drying out before the inside thaws and cooks through.

If you need to cook a frozen turkey right away, plan for significantly longer cook times—up to 50% longer according to some brands. Use a food thermometer to carefully monitor the internal temperature.

Food Safety Tips for Fully Cooked Turkey

Follow these additional food safety practices when handling and reheating fully cooked turkey:

• Wash hands and surfaces after contact with raw turkey, before and after handling cooked turkey.
• Don’t stuff your turkey. Stuffing should be cooked separately to ensure it reaches a safe internal temperature.
• Use separate cutting boards, plates, and utensils for raw turkey versus cooked to avoid cross-contamination.
• Refrigerate all leftovers within 2 hours and reheat to 165°F before serving again.
• When in doubt, throw it out. Discard any turkey or sides left at room temperature longer than 2 hours.

Reheating and cooking a fully cooked turkey isn’t too difficult as long as you follow safe food handling guidelines. Allow plenty of time for thawing and cooking based on the turkey’s size. Use a food thermometer to ensure the turkey reaches 165°F throughout before serving. Follow these tips for reheating success and you’ll have a delicious fully cooked turkey on your table this holiday season.