If youre looking to save time and effort, an already-cooked turkey simplifies one of the major projects involved in preparing Thanksgiving dinner. But pre-cooked doesnt mean youre off the hook entirely when it comes to preparation and food safety.
Heres what you need to know to ensure that you safely heat up your ready-to-serve turkey, avoiding the spread of foodborne illness. Following directions will ensure youll be dining on the best pre-cooked turkey possible.
Check the packaging on your already-cooked bird. It should come with step-by-step instructions detailing how to safely heat up the turkey.
And dont forget: This convenient option comes in more than one flavor. If you want a fully cooked smoked turkey, theyre out there!
Heating up a precooked turkey can seem like a daunting task. How long should you heat it for? At what temperature? Will it dry out? Have no fear – this guide will walk you through everything you need to know to reheat a precooked turkey to tender, juicy perfection.
Why Choose a Precooked Turkey?
Opting for a precooked turkey from your local market or food provider has some great advantages:
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Saves time – No hours spent tending to the bird in the oven or monitoring the temperature. Just focus on the sides and other meal components.
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More rest time – With the turkey already cooked you can reheat it at the last minute. This allows the juices to redistribute for a more moist texture.
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No thawing – Frozen precooked turkeys can go straight from freezer to oven, removing the need to thaw over multiple days.
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Consistent results – Professional turkey cookers master the ideal time and temperature. This prevents any risk of underdone poultry.
How To Reheat a Precooked Turkey
Follow these simple reheating instructions for fabulous turkey every time
Oven Method
The oven allows even heating for the best results.
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Preheat the oven to 325°F. Low and slow is key.
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Place turkey in a baking pan removing any wrapping. Add 1 cup broth or water to the bottom to prevent drying.
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Cover with foil, sealing edges to lock in moisture.
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Heat for approximately 15-20 minutes per pound. For a 12 lb turkey, that would be 3 to 4 hours.
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Check temperature with a meat thermometer, verifying it reaches 165°F at the thickest part.
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Let sit 10-15 minutes before carving for the juices to settle.
Stovetop Method
For smaller portions, the stovetop allows quick reheating:
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Use a skillet or dutch oven with a lid. Add 1/2 cup liquid to the bottom.
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Heat the pan over medium before adding the turkey slices.
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Cook covered, allowing the steam to warm the meat without drying it out.
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About 5-7 minutes per side should sufficiently heat the slices through.
Microwave Method
Take extra care when microwaving to avoid uneven cooking:
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Microwave in short bursts of 2-3 minutes per portion. Check periodically.
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Arranged sliced meat in a single layer on a microwave-safe dish, and cover with a damp paper towel to add moisture.
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Allow the turkey to rest a couple minutes before serving.
How Long Does it Take?
The reheating time will vary somewhat based on the size and shape of your particular turkey. Here are general time guidelines:
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Whole turkeys – 15-20 minutes per pound at 325°F in the oven
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Turkey breast – About 10-12 minutes per pound
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Turkey slices – 5-7 minutes per side on the stovetop
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Microwaved portions – 2-3 minutes at a time
Use your cooking know-how to test for doneness rather than relying solely on time. Check the innermost temperature and look for the meat pulling away from the bones.
Helpful Turkey Reheating Tips
To get picture-perfect results when reheating your precooked turkey, keep these tips in mind:
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Always use a meat thermometer to confirm safe internal temp.
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Let the turkey rest before carving so juices can redistribute.
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Add a little broth, water, or butter when heating to prevent drying out.
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Carve the turkey just before serving, rather than cutting up the whole bird in advance.
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For crispier skin, tent foil so it’s not touching the skin during oven heating.
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Portion out and refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours of reheating.
Get That Succulent Turkey – The Easy Way
With these simple steps for oven, stovetop or microwave use, you’ll be ready to perfectly reheat a precooked turkey. Just set aside 15-20 minutes per pound when using the handy oven method. Sit back and relax with your family until it’s time to dig into the tantalizing, warmed turkey feast.
How to Reheat Leftovers
The rule with reheating turkey — or any Thanksgiving leftover — is simple: Heat up food until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the USDA. Use a food thermometer to check the temperature.
Frozen leftovers can be reheated without thawing them first, per the USDA. Itll just take longer than reheating thawed out foods.
Defrosting a Ready-to-Cook Turkey
In many cases, an already-cooked turkey arrives at your home frozen — so you wont be able to immediately carve and serve it.
Instead, your first step will be to defrost the bird in the refrigerator. This takes time, so plan ahead: For every 5 pounds, it will take about 24 hours to thaw, according to the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture. So, a 15-pound turkey will take 3 full days to thaw out.
To thaw, keep the bird in its plastic packaging. Rest it on a cookie sheet in the refrigerator. Considering a thawed turkey cant sit in your fridge endlessly, time the process for your planned meal: Eat it within 3 to 5 days, per the University of Tennessee.
Always check the instructions on your frozen, ready-to-serve turkey. Brands may have instructions specific to their products. Butterballs fully cooked turkey, for example, suggests thawing in the refrigerator with the breast side up.
There are exceptions to the “thaw first” rule: A frozen turkey that is stuffed should not be thawed, according to the USDA.
Is a precooked turkey fully cooked? It sure is! And because the turkey is already cooked, once its fully thawed, youre free to serve it as-is. Heres how:
- Thaw the turkey, following the instructions above.
- Remove the bird from its wrapper.
- Carve and cut up the turkey. You can eat fully pre-cooked turkey in meals like sandwiches and salads.
You can eat a pre-cooked turkey cold. However, if you or your guests have compromised immune systems, avoid eating cold pre-cooked turkey meat, according to the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. Instead, heat it up to an internal temp of 165 Fahrenheit before eating.
How to Heat and Serve – Smoked and Fully Cooked Turkey
FAQ
How long does it take to heat up a fully cooked turkey?
How do you reheat a precooked Whole Foods turkey?
How long do you cook a pre cooked turkey?
The USDA recommends cooking and reheating all poultry, including pre-cooked turkey, to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the bird is fully reheated, at 165 degrees, remove it from the oven. Let it rest for about 15 minutes. Then, carve and serve. Use this chart to estimate the cooking time on your already-cooked bird:
How do you reheat a Turkey in the oven?
To reheat your whole turkey in the oven, remove it from the refrigerator and let it sit for one hour at room temperature. Heat the oven to 325°F, then place the turkey into a roasting pan breast-side down. The fat will trickle down the turkey and create a tender, juicy breast as the bird reheats. Wrap the turkey with foil place it into the oven.
What temperature should a pre cooked turkey be?
Make sure to heat your pre-cooked turkey to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. If you’re looking to save time and effort, an already-cooked turkey simplifies one of the major projects involved in preparing Thanksgiving dinner. But pre-cooked doesn’t mean you’re off the hook entirely when it comes to preparation and food safety.
Can You reheat precooked turkey breast?
When reheating precooked turkey breast, it is important to take precautions to ensure that it is safe to eat. The following safety precautions should be taken when reheating precooked turkey breast: * Reheat turkey breast to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.