How to Reheat a Fully Cooked Smoked Turkey Perfectly

Like turkey, but not the effort it takes to cook? A smoked turkey from Gartner’s Meats is the perfect solution. Our Smoked Turkeys are fully cooked, and here are tips for reheating them.

To Reheat: We recommend using a rack in your roasting pan. Add a little water to the bottom of the pan and cover the smoked turkey with foil. Bake at 325 degrees for approx. 10 minutes per pound, or until your meat thermometer reads 165 degrees.

A fully cooked smoked turkey is a delicious centerpiece for special occasions and holidays. But properly reheating a pre-cooked smoked turkey can be tricky. You want to make sure the turkey is piping hot and safe to eat, without drying out the delicate meat.

With the right technique, reheating your smoked turkey will be a breeze. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through the best methods for reheating whole smoked turkeys as well as leftover turkey. Follow these tips and you’ll have moist tender turkey ready to carve and serve to your hungry guests.

Why Properly Reheating Turkey Matters

It’s understandable to think that since the turkey is already fully cooked, reheating it is simply a matter of warming it up. But there are a few important considerations:

Food safety: The turkey needs to reach the proper internal temperature of 165°F throughout to eliminate any harmful bacteria.
Moisture Smoked turkey can easily dry out if overcooked Reheating slowly helps maintain juiciness,
Flavor: You want your smoked turkey to taste just as amazing as it did when first cooked. The right reheating method preserves that.

Taking the time to correctly reheat your turkey delivers big rewards when it comes to both food safety and enjoying delicious, tender meat.

Reheating a Whole Smoked Turkey

Let’s start with reheating a full smoked turkey from the store or one you smoked yourself earlier, Here’s a step-by-step guide

1. Remove turkey from refrigerator 1 hour before reheating

This allows the turkey to come closer to room temperature for more even reheating.

2. Preheat the oven to 250°F

Lower temperature reheating is gentler and helps retain moisture. If you’re pressed for time, you can go up to 325°F maximum.

3. Place turkey in oven safe pan and cover tightly with foil

The foil traps in steam and heat to help turkey reheat faster without drying out.

4. Insert probe thermometer into thickest part of turkey

Without touching the bone, insert the probe thermometer into the turkey breast or thigh. Monitor it so you don’t overcook the turkey.

5. Heat turkey approximately 10 minutes per pound

The reheating time will vary based on oven temperature and turkey size. Figure around 10 minutes per pound at 250°F.

6. Check temperature periodically until it reads 165°F

Once the probe thermometer reaches 165°F, your turkey is fully reheated and safe to eat.

7. Let turkey rest 15 minutes before removing foil

This resting time allows juices to reabsorb for a moist, tender turkey ready for carving.

Reheating Leftover Smoked Turkey

Leftover turkey also deserves proper reheating. Here are a few go-to methods:

Oven: Place turkey slices or pieces in an oven-safe dish, cover with broth or gravy, and cover with foil. Reheat at 300°F for 30-45 minutes until 165°F.
Stovetop: In a skillet over medium heat, add turkey pieces, broth, and cover. Reheat for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Microwave: In a microwave-safe dish, add turkey slices or pieces with a bit of broth. Microwave in 1 minute increments, checking between until hot.

Portion out any leftovers you won’t eat within 3-4 days and freeze them for longer term storage. Reheating smaller portions makes it easier to get the turkey hot without drying it out.

Helpful Tips for Reheating Smoked Turkey

Follow these tips for the very best results when reheating your smoked turkey:

Let turkey sit out for 30-60 minutes before reheating for more even heating.
Use a low temperature around 250°F to prevent drying out the meat.
Monitor the internal temperature with a probe thermometer for doneness.
Tent turkey with foil to keep it moist and help it reheat faster.
Allow turkey to rest for 10-15 minutes before carving for juicy meat.
Add broth or gravy when reheating leftovers to prevent dryness.
Slice large pieces of turkey smaller to help them reheat quicker.
Don’t reheat turkey more than once for food safety.

Mastering the Turkey Reheat

You can feel confident serving perfect smoked turkey every time by following these tried and true reheating methods. Whether you’re working with a full turkey or just leftover slices, proper reheating ensures your turkey stays safe to eat as well as moist and full of flavor.

With the right temperature, technique, and a quality probe thermometer, you’ll have piping hot turkey ready to impress your guests. So try out these reheating tips and you can relax and enjoy the fruits of your labor on Turkey Day or any special gathering.

how do you reheat a fully cooked smoked turkey

How to Heat and Serve – Smoked and Fully Cooked Turkey

FAQ

How do you reheat a smoked turkey without drying it out?

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.

How long do you heat a fully cooked smoked turkey?

Place your smoked turkey on the broiler try rack and tent securely with tin foil. Place the trayed smoked turkey in the middle of a 350° F oven and cook for about 1.5 – 2 hours (or until a meat thermometer reaches about 140° F in the center of the breast). Remove the turkey and carve for serving.

How to warm up butterball smoked turkey?

Place turkey breast in 350° oven and heat until warm. 3/4 – 1.5 hours. Check temperature with a meat thermometer. The temperature should be 140° F.

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 smoked turkey in the microwave?

Set the oven temperature to 300°F. Place the turkey on a wire rack over a cookie sheet or baking dish. Add 1/4 cup of water or chicken broth to the bottom and cover tightly with aluminum foil Reheat for 20-30 minutes or until heated through. Pros Reheating leftover smoke turkey in the microwave is FAST!