Safely Serving and Cooking a Pre-Cooked Whole Turkey: A Comprehensive Guide

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The best part of Thanksgiving is undoubtedly the leftovers. The ingredients of a Thanksgiving meal can be used to create a plethora of new recipes! Ree Drummond, in particular, is a big fan of repurposing leftover turkey; just take a peek at her recipes for leftover turkey shepherd’s pie, leftover turkey soup, and turkey tetrazzini! However, you probably wonder how to reheat turkey if you just want to eat a big plate of leftovers and keep things simple.

There are proper and incorrect ways to reheat turkey, as you may have discovered if you’ve ever placed a piece of leftover turkey in the microwave only to have it come out unpleasantly dry. You can keep your Thanksgiving turkey perfectly juicy for the big feast and beyond by following these tips! If you do it correctly, your bird will taste freshly roasted days after Thanksgiving! Speaking of which, did you know that you can make a Thanksgiving turkey ahead of time and reheat it on the big day? Talk about a lifesaver!

This guide provides comprehensive information on safely handling, serving, and cooking a pre-cooked whole turkey ensuring a delicious and food-safe experience.

Key Points:

  • Defrosting: Thaw the pre-cooked turkey in the refrigerator for approximately 24 hours for every 5 pounds of weight.
  • Serving Cold: Fully cooked turkeys can be safely served cold after thawing.
  • Heating Instructions:
    • Preheat the oven to 325°F.
    • Remove the plastic bag and place the turkey in a roasting pan with the breast side up.
    • Add 1 cup of water to the bottom of the pan.
    • Cover the turkey loosely with aluminum foil.
    • Refer to the provided chart for estimated cooking times based on weight.
    • Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer, ensuring it reaches 165°F in the thickest part of the breast and thigh.
    • Let the turkey rest for 15 minutes before carving and serving.
  • Storing Leftovers:
    • Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours of cooking.
    • Store in shallow containers for quicker cooling.
    • Consume within 3-4 days.
    • Freeze leftovers for up to 6 months.
  • Reheating Leftovers:
    • Reheat to an internal temperature of 165°F, using either the oven or microwave.
    • Add broth or water to the dish for added moisture.
    • Cover the dish with foil or a lid when reheating in the oven.

Detailed Instructions:

Defrosting:

  1. Plan ahead, allowing sufficient time for thawing in the refrigerator.
  2. Keep the turkey in its original packaging.
  3. Place the turkey on a cookie sheet in the refrigerator.
  4. Allow approximately 24 hours for every 5 pounds of weight to thaw completely.
  5. Check the packaging for specific instructions from the brand.

Serving Cold:

  1. Once fully thawed, the turkey is ready to serve cold.
  2. Carve and cut up the turkey as desired.
  3. Use the turkey in sandwiches, salads, or other cold dishes.

Heating:

  1. Preheat the oven to 325°F.
  2. Remove the plastic bag and place the thawed turkey in a roasting pan.
  3. Add 1 cup of water to the bottom of the pan.
  4. Cover the turkey loosely with aluminum foil.
  5. Refer to the following chart for estimated cooking times based on weight:
Turkey Weight Servings Reheating Time
10 lbs 8 1 hr 20 mins – 1 hr 40 mins
15 lbs 12 2 hrs – 2.5 hrs
20 lbs 16 2.5 hrs – 3 hrs 15 mins
25 lbs 20 3 hrs 15 mins – 4 hrs 15 mins
  1. Check the turkey with a meat thermometer after about 30 minutes before the recommended cooking time.
  2. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the breast and thigh, ensuring it doesn’t touch the bone.
  3. The turkey is fully reheated when the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  4. Remove the turkey from the oven and let it rest for 15 minutes before carving and serving.

Storing Leftovers:

  1. Remove the meat from the bone and slice up the breast meat.
  2. Place leftovers in small, shallow containers.
  3. Cover the containers with plastic wrap or a lid.
  4. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours of cooking.
  5. Consume leftovers within 3-4 days.
  6. Freeze leftovers for up to 6 months.

Reheating Leftovers:

  1. Reheat leftovers to an internal temperature of 165°F.
  2. Use either the oven or microwave for reheating.
  3. Add broth or water to the dish for added moisture.
  4. Cover the dish with foil or a lid when reheating in the oven.

Additional Tips:

  • Use a meat thermometer to ensure the turkey reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F.
  • Avoid stuffing a pre-cooked turkey.
  • If purchasing a pre-cooked, stuffed turkey, ensure it has the USDA or a state mark of inspection.
  • Prepare stuffing ingredients separately and spoon them into the turkey cavity just before cooking.
  • When reheating leftovers, ensure they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.

By following these guidelines, you can safely handle, serve, and cook a pre-cooked whole turkey, ensuring a delicious and food-safe experience. Remember to thaw the turkey properly, heat it to the correct internal temperature, and store leftovers appropriately.

Can you cook a turkey the day before and reheat it?

Yes, you can! If you find it intimidating to roast a bird on Thanksgiving, prepare your turkey the day before. This simple tip will not only help you save time on Thanksgiving, but it will also significantly reduce your stress level. The best part? You can roast your bird as normal, let it cool completely, and then carve it into large pieces without anyone knowing! Take out the thighs, wings, drumsticks, and breasts, leaving the parts whole but with some skin still attached. Return the carved turkey pieces to the roasting pan, seal tightly, and refrigerate.

To reheat, preheat the oven to 325 degrees. While the turkey is still in the roasting pan, moisten the meat by brushing it with a small amount of stock (turkey, chicken, or vegetable stock or broth will work). Bake the turkey for 45 to 1 hour, covered with foil, or until it is thoroughly warmed. Then carve the turkey into slices and serve!.

How do you reheat turkey without drying it out?

It’s not always better to go faster, and this is particularly true when reheating turkey. Reheating leftover turkey slowly is the best way to keep it tasty and moist. Yes, it means avoiding the microwave! Although they can quickly reheat turkey, microwaves dry out the meat and leave the skin unpleasantly chewy. Rather, preheat your oven and bring your Thanksgiving turkey back to a hot, juicy, freshly baked state. Toss in the carved meat in a baking dish, preheat the oven to 300 degrees, and pour in some chicken broth or turkey stock. As it heats, the meat will absorb some of the liquid, leaving it juicy. Place the pan in the oven and cover it tightly with foil. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the meat is hot. Before you know it, youll have fresh turkey once again!.

How to Reheat a Fully Roasted Turkey | Step by Step

FAQ

How do you reheat a precooked turkey without drying it out?

Simply heat your oven to 300 degrees, put the carved meat in a baking dish, and add some chicken broth or turkey stock to the pan. The meat will absorb some of the liquid as it heats, making it nice and juicy. Cover the pan tightly with foil and place it in the oven until the meat is hot, 20 to 30 minutes.

How do you cook a precooked turkey from Whole Foods?

Remove turkey from packaging (leaving oven-safe nylon truss on turkey legs) and place in a roasting pan. Add ¼ inch broth or water to bottom of the roasting pan. Cover with a foil tent for the first 45 minutes to prevent over-browning. Uncover and heat for an additional 45–75 minutes or until heated through.

Are precooked turkeys good?

I am truly surprised at how tender and juicy this turkey was. It’s a decent size and extremely easy to prepare. Even the leftovers were delicious. Definitely a repeat purchase.

How long do you cook a pre cooked turkey breast?

You should cook pre-cooked turkey breast at a temperature of 325 F in the oven, a method called roasting, according to the USDA. As for how long you need to reheat pre-cooked turkey breast in the oven, it depends on the size of the meat. A small turkey roast may take about an hour and a half, while larger ones can take over three hours.

How long do you cook a pre cooked turkey?

* If you’re grilling a pre-cooked turkey, it’s important to cook it over indirect heat. This will help to prevent the turkey from drying out. * You can also cook a pre-cooked turkey in a smoker. To do this, place the turkey in a smoker and cook at a low temperature for 4-6 hours. How Long to Cook a Pre-cooked Turkey?

How long does a 10 pound turkey take to cook?

* Oven: A 10-pound pre-cooked turkey will take about 2 hours to cook in a 350F oven. * Stovetop: A 10-pound pre-cooked turkey will take about 3 hours to cook on the stovetop. * Slow cooker: A 10-pound pre-cooked turkey will take about 5 hours to cook in a slow cooker.

How long do you cook a Turkey in the oven?

This time will vary, depending on your oven and the size of the bird, but you’ll want to cook the turkey for about 10 minutes per pound, according to Honey-B Ham, which sells smoked and fried turkeys. (Keep scrolling for a reheating time chart.) Peek in the oven after about an hour.

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