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.
How to reheat turkey on the stovetopThis is our second-favorite method. It’s quicker than the oven, and the turkey turns out juicier than in the microwave. It’s also a good option if you’re reheating skin-on pieces.
How do you reheat turkey without drying it out?
The key is to reheat your turkey low and slow. Your turkey will almost instantly warm up in the microwave, but the process will also dry out the meat and make the skin chewy. Instead, reheat the meat in the oven by placing the carved meat in a baking dish and adding a small amount of liquid, such as chicken broth or turkey stock, to the pan so the turkey can absorb some juices once more. Reheat the turkey at a low temperature until hot, about 20 to 30 minutes at 300 degrees, then cover the pan tightly with foil to allow the turkey to steam and stay moist.
Is it safe to reheat turkey in a microwave?
Yes, using a microwave to reheat precooked turkey is safe. For safe consumption, the leftover turkey should be warmed to an internal temperature of 74 degrees Celsius, or 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Be aware to overcook nor undercook the meat. Under 165 degrees Fahrenheit, or 74 degrees Celsius, is dangerous to eat because it can cause food poisoning.
Additionally, the meat needs to be refrigerated and kept in a safe environment for handling food. Do not reheat the turkey if it smells bad or unpleasant in any other way as it may be spoiled.