Yesterday I was at Costco and bought one of their pre-cooked turkey breasts. Its located in the meats/prepared food section. Seen great comments about it over the years here on the Q threads, and have decided to try it.
It doesnt have heating instructions on the packaging. How would you heat this up, specifically, what temp and for how long? Its just under 4 pounds. Or…would you slice some and microwave to warm the slices? Would you cover it in some way to ensure keeping moisture in?
We are going out, Thanksgiving brunch, and will come home to watch football for the rest of the afternoon/evening. (GOOO EAGLES!!) Anyway, when you go out you dont get the opportunity to pick at leftovers later on, and coming days. I thought that we could heat this up and have available as a way of having leftovers. I will also make a few sides too.
Precooked turkey breasts provide a quick and convenient meal base for holidays, weeknights or any time you’re in need of an easy protein. While already fully cooked when purchased heating them thoroughly before serving is key. Follow these simple steps for reheating a precooked turkey breast to tender juicy perfection.
Choose Your Cooking Method
There are several effective methods for heating a precooked turkey breast:
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Oven – Excellent for thoroughly and evenly heating the entire breast Allows you to easily maintain and monitor the temperature
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Stovetop – Quickly heats up smaller turkey breast cuts in a skillet on the stovetop. Provides a crispy exterior.
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Microwave – Speedy reheating for quick weeknight meals Be careful not to overcook the breast and dry it out
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Grill – Imparts delicious smoky flavor when cooked on a preheated grill. Creates nice charring on the surface.
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Slow Cooker – Keeps the breast tender when cooked low and slow in a slow cooker with sauce or broth.
Consider the size of your turkey breast, time constraints, and your flavor preferences when deciding on a reheating method.
Prep the Turkey Breast
Take the frozen turkey breast out of the packaging and let it thaw in the refrigerator for 24-48 hours before reheating. This helps it cook more evenly.
Once thawed, pat the turkey breast dry with paper towels. Then, rub it all over with a little olive or avocado oil to prevent it from drying out. Season the breast generously with salt, pepper and any additional spices you desire.
For extra flavor, you could coat the breast in a dry rub, pesto, barbecue sauce or your favorite marinade before cooking.
Follow Proper Cook Times
To ensure food safety and the best texture, you’ll want to reheat the turkey breast thoroughly to an internal temperature of 165°F. Cook times vary depending on the reheating method:
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Oven – Cook at 350°F for 15-20 minutes per pound. Use a meat thermometer to check internal temp.
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Stovetop – Cook over medium heat for 6-8 minutes per side for slices or 10 minutes per pound for a whole breast.
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Microwave – Heat for 2-3 minutes per pound at 70% power, checking temperature in the thickest part.
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Grill – Grill over medium heat for 8-12 minutes per side based on thickness. Flip carefully to prevent sticking.
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Slow Cooker – Cook on LOW for 3-4 hours for a 3-4 pound breast. Check internal temperature.
These cook times serve as general guidelines. Monitor the temperature and adjust cook times as needed for your specific breast size and appliance variances.
Finish with a Rest and Carve
Once the internal temperature reads 165°F on a meat thermometer, remove the turkey breast from the heat. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes; this allows the juices to redistribute evenly for a moist, tender texture.
After resting, use a sharp knife to carefully slice the turkey breast across the grain. Carve into thin, even slices for the most tender, sliceable results.
Serve your perfectly cooked turkey breast hot with your favorite side dishes and condiments. Enjoy!
Handy Tips for Reheating Turkey Breasts
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For oven cooking, use a roasting rack inside a sheet pan to allow airflow and even heating. Tent foil over it to prevent drying out.
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When microwaving, heat the breast in 30 second intervals, checking in between to prevent overcooking on the edges.
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Try adding broth or turkey gravy to the slow cooker to baste the breast and keep it extra moist.
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Let thicker, heavier breasts or whole turkeys rest for 15-20 minutes before slicing to allow juices to settle.
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Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat them in the oven or microwave to extend the shelf life.
Creative Ways to Use Leftover Turkey
Leftover precooked turkey breast provides endless quick meal ideas. Some delicious options include:
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Turkey sandwiches with cranberry sauce and stuffing on toasted bread.
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Turkey salad with mayo, celery, apples and nuts served over greens.
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Hearty turkey noodle soup with veggies and egg noodles.
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Turkey tacos with salsa, avocado and pepper jack cheese in tortillas.
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Turkey casserole baked with rice, mushrooms and cheese.
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Turkey stir fry with snap peas, bell peppers and teriyaki or orange sauce.
With proper storage and reheating, you can reinvent leftovers into all sorts of tasty turkey meals for lunch, dinner or easy snacks.
Precooked Turkey Breasts Make Meals Simple
Thanks to handy precooked turkey breasts, you can enjoy juicy, flavorful turkey entrees without spending hours cooking a whole bird. Follow these reheating guidelines to serve up the perfect hot turkey breast at your next gathering or for fast family dinners. Experiment with exciting seasonings and sides to give basic turkey breast an extra flair. In no time, you’ll be mastering precooked turkey success!
Re: Costco Pre Cooked Turkey Breast
This sounds like a great idea! I would warm it on very low…..200 degrees, or even put it in my crockpot on low. No more than 30 minutes total. You could even pour some chicken broth around it as a heat bath to keep it moist as well. Good luck!
How to Reheat a Fully Cooked Turkey Breast | Step by Step
FAQ
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