The Best Ways to Reheat Sliced Turkey and Keep It Moist

As Thanksgiving approaches, many of us are looking forward to enjoying a juicy roasted turkey with all the trimmings. But just as exciting is having delicious turkey leftovers for sandwiches, casseroles, and soups in the days following the big feast. However, reheating sliced turkey can be tricky. If you don’t do it right, your leftovers can end up dry and flavorless.

After doing some research on the best reheating methods, I want to share what I’ve learned about how to reheat sliced turkey and keep it tender and moist Whether you opted for a roasted, smoked, or deep-fried turkey, these tips will help you make the most of your leftovers

Why Leftover Turkey Dries Out

Before jumping into the various reheating techniques it helps to understand why leftover turkey meat dries out in the first place. There are a few reasons

• Turkey breast meat is naturally lean and prone to drying out, even when freshly cooked. The reheating process exacerbates this effect.

• As turkey rests after cooking, the moisture migrates out of the meat. Leftover turkey has less inherent moisture.

• Exposing turkey to high, dry heat removes moisture quickly.

• Longer reheating times increase moisture loss.

• Slicing turkey provides more surface area for moisture to evaporate.

Knowing these causes will help you pick the best reheating method to retain that juiciness.

Tips for Reheating Sliced Turkey

Here are some useful tips to keep in mind no matter which reheating method you choose:

• Bring turkey to room temperature first. Letting it sit out for 15-30 minutes helps it heat more evenly later on.

• Slice the turkey before reheating it. This allows it to heat through better.

• Use shallow containers to reheat sliced turkey in even layers.

• Keep reheating time short to prevent overcooking. Check it frequently.

• Add a bit of liquid like broth, gravy, or butter to add back moisture.

Now let’s look at the best techniques for reheating turkey slices.

Oven

The oven allows you to reheat turkey gently and evenly without drying it out. Here’s how:

• Preheat oven to 300-325°F.

• Place turkey slices in a baking dish in a single layer.

• Add a few tablespoons of broth, gravy, or butter over the top.

• Cover tightly with foil and bake 10-15 minutes until heated through.

The low oven temperature prevents overcooking. The foil traps steam to keep the meat moist. The liquid replenishes moisture lost during storage.

Pros: Very effective for reheating large portions without drying them out.

Cons: It takes more time than other methods.

Microwave

The microwave provides a fast option for reheating one or two servings of turkey:

• Place turkey slices on a microwave-safe plate in a single layer.

• Add a bit of liquid over the top and cover with a paper towel or plastic wrap.

• Microwave at 50% power in 30-second intervals until hot.

The lower power setting avoids overcooking the edges before the middle warms through. The covering traps steam. Be very careful not to overcook the turkey.

Pros: Reheats turkey quickly. Good for small portions.

Cons: Can dry out turkey if cooked too long. Uneven heating.

Stovetop

For convenience and great flavor, reheating in a skillet on the stovetop is hard to beat:

• Place turkey slices in a skillet in a single layer.

• Add 1⁄4 cup broth, gravy, or water.

• Heat over medium-low, covered, until liquid simmers and turkey is hot.

The small amount of liquid steams and moistens the turkey slices nicely. The skillet allows you to reheat exactly the number of servings you need.

Pros: Fast reheating time. Infuses flavor. Keeps turkey moist.

Cons: Only good for smaller portions. Requires watching closely.

Steamer

A steamer gives you deliciously moist turkey leftovers in no time:

• Place turkey slices in the steamer basket in a single layer.

• Steam over simmering water for 2-4 minutes until hot.

The direct steam reheats the turkey gently and traps the moisture inside the meat. The slices heat quickly since they are exposed to steam on all sides.

Pros: Extremely effective moisture retention. Fast reheating.

Cons: Only suitable for small servings. Requires steaming setup.

Maintaining Crispiness

If you want to re-crisp the skin after reheating turkey slices, here are a couple of options:

• Place the skin side down in a hot skillet with a bit of oil for 1 minute.

• Broil the skin under high heat for 1-2 minutes until crispy and browned.

Storing Leftover Turkey

Proper storage is also key to keeping sliced turkey leftovers moist. Here are some storage tips:

• Let turkey cool completely before refrigerating it.

• Store turkey slices in shallow airtight containers or resealable plastic bags.

• Remove as much air as possible and ensure turkey is in a single layer.

• Use leftovers within 3-4 days for best quality and safety.

• Frozen turkey keeps for 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.

Enjoy Your Leftovers!