Learn the best way to reheat leftover turkey this weekend and a few tips for better microwaved leftovers. Comments We independently select these products—if you buy from
one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing. You’ve probably just spent the last day or two cooking and are looking forward to the pure post-Thanksgiving joy that is days of turkey sandwiches, soups, and leftover pies. Here, we’ll cover the best way to reheat your leftover turkey as well as some guidelines for microwaving those leftovers for when “best” translates to “fastest.” The Best, Simplest Method for Reheating TurkeyAs a rule of thumb, leftovers should be heated the same way that they were cooked. A long, slow roast got your turkey onto the Thanksgiving table, so into the oven leftovers should go for the best reheating. Follow these few rules for success.
The Best Way to Reheat Turkey in the MicrowaveWhile the best method for reheating will give you moist and tender leftovers, we all know there are going to be times when you just want to heat a single serving of turkey breast and some sides for yourself — and no, you don’t want to heat the oven, thank you. Here’s the best way to microwave your turkey leftovers.
A safety note: Remember that all leftovers should be reheated to a minimum of 165°F and should be stored properly within two hours of cooking for safety. Learn the best way to reheat leftover turkey this weekend and a few tips for better microwaved leftovers. Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
Get the most from your leftover roast turkey by learning how to reheat it so it stays succulent and delicious. There's so much you can do with leftover turkey. It works in almost any dish that would use chicken, but as it’s such a lean meat, it can sometimes become dry, especially the breast meat. Here, we’ll talk you through the best ways to stop that happening and how to reheat turkey to enjoy again as it is or use in a new dish altogether. Check out the foolproof turkey guide to answer all your cooking queries and plan the ultimate roast with our best ever turkey recipes. For more inspiration, see our turkey crown recipes and how to use leftover turkey. Discover even more ideas with our favourite Christmas dinner recipes, and answer all your festive queries with the help of our Christmas kitchen. How to keep your turkey succulentIf the turkey meat starts out dry, there won’t be much hope for it once it’s gone cold. But, there are a couple of things you can do to ensure the most succulent roast beforehand. Dry-brining your turkeyBy simply seasoning the raw turkey all over with salt up to two days before roasting, you’ll end up with a much juicier roast. A whole bird can be seasoned two days before, a crown up to a day before and a boneless turkey breast should be seasoned no earlier than the night before. See more details in our turkey brining guide. Don’t overcook the turkeyOvercooking is the main culprit to dry turkey meat. The best way to make sure you don’t overcook your turkey is to use a digital cooking probe. Once the turkey has reached 75C on the thickest part of the thigh or 65C on the thickest part of the breast, it’s done. Resting the turkeyWhen you rest your turkey after it’s been roasted, the meat relaxes and reabsorbs its juices. Any form of turkey roast, from the whole bird to a boneless breast joint, should be well-rested before carving. Simply sit the turkey on a board or platter and leave it in the kitchen while you get on with everything else. A boneless breast joint can be left for 20-30 mins, while a crown or whole bird will sit happily for 40 mins and still be warm through after an hour. More like thisAdding the juices backServing the turkey carved on a platter is a lot less fiddly than carving at the table, as the turkey loses its juices while you're carving. The best thing to do before serving is pour the collected juices back over the carved turkey – this also keeps it succulent as it cools down. Covering the cooked meatThere’s always lots going on, so it’s very easy to accidentally leave your turkey uncovered in the fridge or turned-off oven for the night, but this will just dry it out more. Cover and chill the turkey or carve it and chill in an airtight container no more than 2 hrs after eating for safety, and to help keep it at its juiciest. Safety tips for reheating turkey
When you want to reheat leftover turkey to eat as is, these are the best options. How to reheat turkey in the ovenIf you’re reheating a lot of turkey at once, the oven is your best option.
How to reheat turkey in the microwaveIf you’re reheating one or two portions and don’t want to turn the oven on, a microwave it perfect.
Need more essential turkey advice? Read our expert guides...How to brine a turkey What's your favourite turkey recipe? Leave a comment below... How do you keep a turkey moist when reheating in the microwave?In the microwave: Cut the turkey into similar sized pieces and arrange in a shallow baking dish (the sides help it steam). Sprinkle with a bit of chicken broth, then cover the bowl. Microwave on medium until heated through.
Can you warm up cooked turkey in microwave?If you're reheating one or two portions and don't want to turn the oven on, a microwave it perfect. Carve the breast meat into thin slices and take the leg meat off the bone. Lay in a microwavable dish or container and drizzle with stock or gravy. Cook for 2 mins on a medium-high setting, then check.
How do you reheat a precooked turkey without drying it out?Cover the pan tightly with foil—this will allow the turkey to steam and stay moist—then reheat at a low temperature until hot, about 20 to 30 minutes at 300 degrees.
How long do you heat turkey in microwave?A whole turkey takes 7 to 9 minutes per pound at 50 percent power and rotating the dish every 15 minutes. Consider using an oven-cooking bag to ensure even cooking. A turkey roll or boneless turkey breast can be cooked using the microwave probe.
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