Nothing compares to the taste or smell of a hot, freshly roasted turkey on Thanksgiving. Additionally, given the amount of turkey you’ll need for each person, there probably won’t be all of it after Thanksgiving dinner. If you’re anticipating those turkey leftovers already, you should probably learn how to properly reheat turkey. Here, we share our go-to technique for reheating turkey without drying it out, as well as advice on how to reheat turkey in the microwave and even a quick tutorial on how to prepare a turkey the day before and reheat it. The next day, you can recreate that just-baked flavor; all it takes is a little extra time to give your leftover turkey some love.
Check out our simple methods for reheating leftover mashed potatoes and stuffing from Thanksgiving to give them new life.
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Place the turkey breast in a shallow pan with a small amount of broth.
- Cover the turkey in foil and heat for about 15 minutes per pound, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
How do you reheat turkey without drying it out?
For larger portions, reheating turkey slowly in the oven is ideal, but if you only need a small serving (for example, to assemble an epic turkey sandwich), we advise using the microwave or stovetop instead.
The grandfather of Chief Food Director Kate Merkers, who ran a restaurant in Queens for many years and reheated a lot of turkeys throughout his life, taught her how to do it. Heres how he does it:
- After roasting the turkey and carving it, slice the thigh and breast meat at as even in thickness as possible.
- Arrange the slices in a single layer in a shallow pan or baking dish and drape a clean dish towel over the top.
- Pour gently simmering chicken broth (we love stirring a spoonful of into water for a quick broth) over the towel just until it’s damp.
- Wrap the dish in foil and place it in a 300°F oven until the turkey is steaming (the USDA recommends taking the turkey to 165°F). Don’t mess with the temperature, keep it low or the turkey will become tough.
How to reheat turkey in the microwave or stovetop
- In the microwave: Cut the turkey into similar sized pieces and arrange in a shallow baking dish (the sides help it steam). Sprinkle with a bit of chicken broth, then cover the bowl. Microwave on medium until heated through.
- On the stovetop: Add ¼-inch broth to a large skillet and arrange the turkey in a single layer on top. Cover the skillet, bring the broth to a simmer, and cook until heated through.
Can you cook a turkey the day before and reheat?
Like us, you may be trying to plan ahead for Thanksgiving. While cooking a whole turkey the day before and then reheating it according to the instructions provided above is certainly possible, we would advise starting on your Thanksgiving side dishes instead. Make and freeze pie crust, prepare your cranberry sauce, which will keep for at least three days, and experiment with some Thanksgiving appetizers you can prepare ahead of time.
If you must prepare your bird in advance, take the following actions:
- Roast the turkey as you normally would (try one of our best Thanksgiving turkey recipes).
- Let it rest for 20-30 minutes (tip out any juices and reserve for delicious gravy).
- Carve turkey, separating the legs (keeping them separate is the best way to reheat breasts and wings). Separate the drumstick from the thighs, then remove the bones from the thighs (it is easier to do this when the turkey is still slightly warm).
- Place the pieces in airtight containers and refrigerate overnight.
- The morning of, remove the pieces from the refrigerator, then slice the thigh and breast meat into pieces (try and make them as even in thickness as possible).
- Arrange the slices in a single layer in shallow pans or baking dishes and drape a clean dish towel over the top.
- Bring some chicken broth to a simmer, then gently pour the chicken broth over the towel just until it is wet.
- Wrap the dish in foil and warm in a 300°F to 325°F oven until the turkey reaches 165°F.
Keep in mind to preserve as much of each piece as you can when disassembling the bird. The likelihood of it drying out increases as you chop it up and slice it more.
FAQ
How do you reheat a turkey breast without drying it out?
Slices of dark or turkey meat should be placed in a steamer basket and placed in a large pot of simmering water. Similar to when reheating meat in the oven while wrapping it in foil, simmering water produces a vapor that keeps water from escaping the meat. Check the pot periodically while keeping the lid on.
How do you warm up a precooked turkey breast?
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.
How do you reheat a turkey and keep it moist in the microwave?
A microwave is ideal if you only need to reheat one or two portions and don’t want to turn on the oven. Slice the breast meat thinly, then detach the leg meat from the bone. Put on a microwave-safe plate or container, then top with stock or gravy. Cook for 2 mins on a medium-high setting, then check.
Can you cook a turkey breast the day before and reheat?
With these simple instructions, a whole turkey or turkey breast can be roasted, carved, and reheated to perfection. A beautiful roasted turkey is the centerpiece of any wonderful Thanksgiving or Christmas meal, and no one will ever know you didn’t cook it just before serving.