How to Reheat Turkey Without Drying It Out: A Guide to Keeping Leftover Turkey Juicy

The day after Thanksgiving, you’re faced with piles of leftover turkey. While fresh turkey is juicy and delicious, improperly reheated turkey can turn dry and stringy. Prevent your leftover turkey from drying out with these simple tips and techniques for reheating turkey while maintaining moisture and texture.

Why Leftover Turkey Dries Out

There are a few reasons leftover turkey tends to dry out when you reheat it

• White turkey meat has less fat than dark meat Less natural fat means it’s prone to drying out

• Cooked turkey leftovers have already lost some moisture during the initial roasting Reheating causes more moisture loss

• Using high, direct heat like a broiler or grill can quickly overcook reheated turkey.

• Microwaves heat food unevenly, leading to dry spots.

• Leftover turkey is often cut or shredded into smaller pieces. Smaller pieces mean more surface area exposed to drying air.

• Refrigeration removes moisture from exposed turkey surfaces via evaporation.

Tips to Keep Reheated Turkey Moist

Follow these simple tips for reheating leftover turkey so it stays tender and juicy:

• Allow turkey to come to room temperature before reheating. Cold turkey will heat unevenly.

• Reheat turkey in a 300°F oven. The low, indirect heat gently warms without drying out.

• Place turkey in a covered dish or lightly tent foil over it while reheating. This traps in steam to help keep turkey moist.

• Add a bit of broth, gravy or sauce to turkey before reheating. Extra moisture is absorbed into the meat.

• Cook turkey until just heated through, not beyond. It will keep cooking from residual heat after you remove it.

• Slice turkey across the grain after reheating if desired. This shortens muscle fibers so meat is more tender.

• Let turkey rest 5 minutes after reheating so juices can redistribute evenly throughout the meat.

Best Methods for Reheating Moist Leftover Turkey

Oven

The oven is the gold standard for evenly reheating large batches of turkey without drying it out.

• Heat oven to 300°F. Place sliced turkey in a baking dish in a single layer. Add a few tablespoons of turkey broth, gravy, or sauce over the top.

• Cover dish tightly with foil and bake for 15-20 minutes until heated through. For larger batches, bake a bit longer, 20-30 minutes.

Stovetop

The stovetop works well for reheating smaller amounts of turkey.

• Heat turkey broth or gravy in a skillet over medium heat. Add turkey slices in a single layer and cook just until warmed through, about 5 minutes, flipping halfway.

Microwave

Reheating turkey in the microwave is fast, but can lead to dryness. Use these tips:

• Arrange turkey in a microwave-safe dish in a single layer. Add a few tbsp broth or gravy. Cover with a paper towel or plastic wrap.

• Microwave on 50% power in 1-2 minute intervals just until heated through. Check for dry spots and redistribute turkey as needed.

Moisturizing Leftover Turkey While Cooking

Adding liquid while reheating is key for combating dryness. Use broth, gravy or sauce:

• Turkey broth: Simmer turkey bones, wings, and neck to make flavorful homemade broth for reheating.

• Gravy: Stir flour into pan drippings for easy gravy to add moisture. Or use store-bought.

• Sauces: Splash cranberry sauce, vinaigrettes, or creamy sauces over turkey before reheating for added juiciness.

• Butter: Dot turkey with small pieces of butter or brush with melted butter before reheating.

Serving Reheated Turkey So It Stays Moist

• Slice turkey across the grain after reheating for tenderness.

• Let turkey rest 5-10 minutes before serving to allow juices to reabsorb after reheating.

• Keep reheated turkey warm in a low oven until ready to serve if not eating immediately.

• If turkey seems dry after reheating, add extra gravy or sauce right before serving.

• Chop or shred any portions that turned out dry. They will work well in casseroles, soups, sandwiches etc. where moisture is added.

• Pair reheated turkey with moist sides like mashed potatoes, stuffing, or mac and cheese to prevent a dry meal.

Moist Leftover Turkey Recipes

Put leftover turkey to delicious use in recipes where any dryness won’t stand out:

• Turkey Pot Pie – Tender turkey in creamy sauce topped with flaky pie crust

• Turkey Enchiladas – Smothered in cheese, salsa, beans, etc. to add moisture

• Turkey Tetrazzini – Turkey and noodles in a creamy, cheesy casserole

• Turkey Soup – Simmer turkey in broth with veggies until tender

• Turkey Curry – Coconut milk-based sauce keeps turkey juicy

• Turkey Hash – Add sweet potatoes, peppers, onions for moisture

• Turkey Sandwiches – Layer mayo, lettuce, cheese for moisture and texture

With proper reheating techniques, you can enjoy juicy leftover turkey all week long. Just be sure to seal and refrigerate turkey safely within 2 hours of cooking. Reheated leftovers should be eaten within 3-4 days. Happy leftovers!