Reheat Cooked Turkey In Slow Cooker

Don't ruin your leftovers by making them dry! Our methods for reheating turkey will keep the bird as juicy and moist as it was for Thanksgiving dinner.

It's so hard to estimate the right amount of turkey to make for Thanksgiving. With all the filling side dishes and dessert looming in the background, sometimes the main dish earns a smaller-than-expected portion on the plate. The good news is that turkey leftovers taste great—we can think of all kinds of clever ways to enjoy them. That said, it's easy to overcook leftover turkey, resulting in a dry and unappetizing bite.

You don't have to suffer from this sad fate, though, because we know best ways for reheating turkey.

How to Reheat Turkey Without Drying It Out

The first step is to store the turkey properly. Don't just toss it on a plate and stash it in the refrigerator; exposing the meat to air overnight is the quickest way to create a dry crust on the surface. Once cooled, keep leftover turkey tightly covered or—better yet—in a sealed container.

The next step is adding moisture when you reheat the meat. You'll see in our reheating methods below that we add homemade gravy, chicken stock or butter to the turkey before heating it up. This ensures that juices in the turkey won't escape as steam when they're exposed to heat.

Finally, we absolutely recommend covering turkey as it reheats. Use an aluminum foil pouch in the oven, a microwave-safe dish or a skillet fitted tightly with a lid. If the juices surround the turkey meat instead of evaporating off into your kitchen, the leftovers will taste so much better!

Method #1: Oven

This is our preferred reheating method because leftovers almost always taste best when they're reheated using the original cooking method. That said, you won't want to turn the oven up as high as you did for the original roasting. We like reheating turkey at 300° F—low enough to prevent the heat from drawing moisture away from the meat, but high enough that it won't take hours to reheat.

Place your leftover portions in aluminum foil and spoon a few spoonfuls of gravy or chicken stock over the meat. Add a pat of butter and close the foil tightly. Alternatively, you can use a casserole dish, but make sure to cover it tightly with aluminum foil to prevent the steam from escaping.

Cook the turkey for 30 to 45 minutes, until it's warmed all the way through. When reheating large pieces of turkey, it's a good idea to use an instant-read thermometer to make sure each piece reaches 165° F.

Method #2: Stovetop

This is our second-favorite method. It's quicker than the oven, but the turkey turns out juicier than in the microwave. It's also a good option if you're reheating skin-on pieces.

Place the turkey pieces in a skillet and add 1/2-inch of chicken stock. Cover the pan with a lid and bring the mixture to a simmer over medium-high heat. Simmer for a few minutes until the turkey is warmed through. If you want to crisp up the skin, discard the liquid and dry the pan with a clean towel. Add a teaspoon of oil and heat it over high heat. Add the reheated turkey, skin-side down, and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, until the exterior is crispy.

Method #3: Microwave

This method is great if you're reheating one or two servings of turkey. It's really best to cut the turkey into bite-sized pieces first, decreasing the chances of the outside drying out before the inside heats all the way through.

Place the turkey pieces in a microwave-safe container. Add a few spoonfuls of chicken stock and a pat of butter. Cover the container with a lid or plastic wrap. Cook the turkey on 70% power for one minute for each reheated pound.

Reheated turkey can taste so juicy and delicious, it might be worth roasting an extra Thanksgiving turkey just to make sure you have leftovers!

How Many Times Can You Reheat Turkey?

It's not a good idea to reheat turkey more than once. Technically, as long as it reaches 165° F each time, it's safe to eat. That said, every time you heat and cool food, it passes through the danger zone (between 40° and 140° F). Bacteria thrive in this range, and giving them multiple opportunities to grow just isn't a good idea. It's best to err on the side of caution and reheat leftover turkey only once.

Can You Cook a Turkey the Day Before and Reheat It?

Absolutely! If you're looking for a stress-free Thanksgiving, go ahead and roast the turkey and let it rest like normal (or use our flavorful grilling method). Then, carve it and cover it tightly with a lid or plastic wrap before placing it in the refrigerator. Reheat it using one of the methods above, and dinner is served. The oven method works best here, mostly because it fills your kitchen with the irresistible aroma of cooked turkey. Your dinner guests will think you spent all morning cooking!

Our Best Ideas for Leftover Turkey

Turkey Almond Salad

Our congregation was holding a luncheon at which I was helping, and we were supposed to use turkey left over from the church's Thanksgiving supper. Everyone liked this so much that—at another church luncheon—we cooked a turkey for the specific purpose of making my salad. —Donna Rear, Olds, Alberta

Thanksgiving Lover's Pizza

Got Thanksgiving Day leftovers? Forget ho-hum turkey sandwiches and try this unique take on pizza instead. Get creative with different variations: use whole berry or jelly cranberry sauce; add dollops of mashed potatoes on top; drizzle with turkey gravy; sprinkle with stuffing or dressing; or try unique pizza crust varieties. —Carla Parker, Anderson, South Carolina

Turkey Cordon Bleu Casserole

Impress your holiday visitors with this fancier twist on the traditional casserole. —Kristine Blauert, Wabasha, Minnesota

Turkey Quesadillas with Cranberry Salsa

A sweet-tart cranberry salsa is the ideal accompaniment to leftover turkey in this breezy quesadilla. With a hint of lemon and pear, the salsa is also good with chicken or pork. —Jodi Kristensen, Macomb, Michigan

TLC (Thanksgiving Leftover Casserole)

Turkey, stuffing and veggies come together into a fabulous day-after casserole. Top it off with chopped pecans. There's comfort in every bite.—Barbara Lento, Houston, Pennsylvania

Turkey Dumpling Soup

Simmering up a big pot of this soup is one of my favorite holiday traditions. This is a variation on a recipe my mom made while I was growing up. My husband and children can't get enough of the tender dumplings. —Debbie Wolf, Mission Viejo, California

Crunchy Almond Turkey Casserole

A special cousin shared the recipe for this comforting casserole. The almonds and water chestnuts give it a nice crunch. —Jill Black, Troy, Ontario

Turkey Croquettes with Cranberry Salsa

This recipe is a great way to use up leftover turkey after the holidays.—Jacque Capurro, Anchorage, Alaska

Derby Hot Browns

This classic open-faced sandwich created at the Brown Hotel in Louisville is easy to do with deli or leftover turkey, toast and a quick cheese sauce. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Turkey and Cornbread Stuffed Poblanos

Give your Thanksgiving leftovers a south-of-the-border vibe with these zesty rellenos. They're easy to make any time of year with roasted deli turkey and a box of corn stuffing. Adjust the heat by adding more or fewer peppers, or more or less adobo sauce. —Christine Friesenhahn, Boerne, Texas

Stuffin' Muffins

If you love stuffing, you won't be able to get enough of these fun muffin cups that make use of not only leftover stuffing but also green beans, turkey, mashed potatoes, cheddar and gravy. It's a taste of Thanksgiving in every bite! —Pauline Porterfield, Roxboro, North Carolina

Turkey Curry with Rice

When I have leftover turkey and a hankering for non-holiday food, I make turkey curry with carrots, cauliflower and mango chutney to spoon over rice. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada

Lemony Turkey Rice Soup

While growing up in Texas, I spent a lot of time helping my grandma cook. Lemon and cilantro add a deliciously different twist to turkey soup. —Margarita Cuellar, East Chicago, Indiana

Festive Holiday Sliders

Turkey sliders with ginger, horseradish and cranberry sauce refrigerate well, so I keep them ready for get-togethers when we bake gifts and wrap presents. —Pamela Miller, Big Rapids, Michigan

Thanksgiving Stuffed Shells

Leftover turkey, dressing and sweet potatoes make terrific stuffing for jumbo pasta shells. We add cheese and use turkey gravy as the sauce for this crowd-pleaser. —Robin Haas, Cranston, Rhode Island

Four-Cheese Turkey Pasta Bake

Leftover turkey combines with penne and cheeses to make a classic comfort food. The pasta bake works with chicken, shrimp or beef, too.—Mary Cokenour, Monticello, Utah

Turkey and Mushroom Potpies

I always use the leftovers from our big holiday turkey to prepare this recipe. I think my family enjoys the potpies more than the original feast! —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia

Cran-Apple Turkey Skillet

You need only one skillet to pull off this delicious meal. Talk about simple! —Lisa Renshaw, Kansas City, Missouri

White Turkey Chili

Here's proof that chili doesn't have to be red. I combined several recipes and changed flavors until the recipe was just right. Trust me, this one is a keeper. —Tina Barrett, Houston, Texas

Biscuit Turkey Bake

As a college student, I go for stick-to-your-ribs foods that are also easy on the budget. Here's one that fits the bill. I like to bake this casserole for friends' birthdays. —Stephanie Denning, Mt. Pleasant, Iowa

Turkey Mushroom Tetrazzini

Your family will flip over this turkey and mushroom casserole. In fact, the creamy Parmesan-topped tetrazzini is so satisfying, no one will suspect it's lower in fat! —Irene Banegas, Las Cruces, New Mexico

Turkey & Stuffing Eggs Benedict

This is a fun way to enjoy holiday leftovers as if presenting them for the first time. Serve for brunch, with champagne and cranberry juice. —Brittany Allyn, Mesa, Arizona

Turkey Posole

I love making this soup because it makes good use of leftovers from Thanksgiving. And it's quick, easy and tasty. No one feels as if they're eating leftovers because this soup is nothing like traditional turkey with gravy. —Margee Berry, White Salmon, Washington

Portobello Pasta Bake

I always plan to use this recipe right after Thanksgiving Day. Leftover turkey never tasted so good. — Preci D'Silva, Dubai

Sesame Turkey Stir-Fry

I really like the rich taste of sesame oil in this Thai-inspired dish. If you don't have it, canola oil does the trick, too. To get a similar nuttiness, toss in a handful sliced almonds before serving. —Kelli Whiting, Fortville, Indiana

Turkey Gnocchi Soup

While trying to find a creative use for leftover turkey, we decided to add gnocchi instead of noodles. My 8-year-old daughter always asks for more. If you don't have leftover turkey, a rotisserie chicken works just as well. —Amy Babines, Virginia Beach, Virginia

Turkey Mushroom Sandwich Bowls

My grandmother was an amazing cook, who brought new life to leftovers. I've tried to do the same here in these creamy, mushroom-packed sandwiches.—Angela Leinenbach, Mechanicsvlle, Virginia

Turkey Alfredo Tetrazzini

I speed up my mother-in-law's tetrazzini by using jarred Alfredo sauce, canned mushrooms and onion powder. —Judy Batson, Tampa, Florida

Turkey Mashed Potato Chimis

A little creative recycling will take your post-holiday morsels from boring to brilliant. A homemade sauce of pumpkin puree and chipotle peppers gives these delicious chimis a spicy-sweet finish.—Sherri Gordon, Olmsted Falls, Ohio

Stuffing Crust Turkey Potpie

Here's a wonderful, stick-to-the-ribs dish that slices well since the filling is thicker than that of traditional potpies. Prebaking the crust makes it crunchy.—Tamara Furda, Naperville, Illinois

Turkey Pinto Bean Salad with Southern Molasses Dressing

This salad is a welcome alternative to the usual post-Thanksgiving fare. It's a tasty main dish loaded with good-for-you protein.—Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia

Gobble-Up Strata

I always look forward to making strata after Thanksgiving. We invite our neighbors, and they think it's neat that I prepare another whole meal. — Bonnie Hawkins, Elkhorn, Wisconsin

Black Bean 'n' Pumpkin Chili

My family is crazy about this slow cooker chili because it uses ingredients you don't usually find in chili. Believe it or not, I discovered that pumpkin is what makes the dish so special. Cook up a big batch and freeze some for later; it tastes even better reheated. —Deborah Vliet, Holland, Michigan

Spicy Mustard Turkey Pizza

A unique take on traditional pizza, this is an instant family favorite thanks to the tangy sauce and crisp crust. If you're not a fan of Swiss cheese, substitute provolone or mozzarella.—Keri Cotton, Lakeville, Minnesota

Thai Turkey Salad Pitas

Here's a quick and easy way to use up leftover turkey. My son likes to try foods from different nationalities, and he really enjoys these pitas. —Renee Dent, Conrad, Montana

Italian Turkey Skillet

It's a challenge to find imaginative ways to use leftovers, especially for turkey after Thanksgiving. Here's a favorite of mine that you can easily make ahead for another dinner option. Prepare the recipe as directed, then transfer to a casserole dish and freeze up to three months. —Patricia Kile, Nokomis, Florida

Stuffing Dumpling Soup

I've always loved turkey, dumplings and stuffing, so I combined them and added a punch of Creole flavor. My family loves it, even my little ones. It's got some kick, but a dollop of sour cream can mellow that out. —Relina Shirley, Reno, Nevada

Mediterranean Turkey Potpies

Your clan will love these wonderful, stick-to-the-ribs potpies with a Mediterranean twist. I always use the leftovers from our big holiday turkey to prepare this recipe. I think my family enjoys the potpies more than the original feast! —Marie Rizzio, Interlochen, Michigan

Chipotle Turkey Chilaquiles

As a frugal mom, I try to use leftovers in a way that provides good nutrition. This recipe does just that and it's also a great way for my children to learn to enjoy the flavors of their Mexican heritage. —Aimee Day, Ferndale, Washington

Triple-Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

My kids go for sweet potatoes stuffed with leftover turkey and dressing. We enjoy being in the kitchen together, each of us making our own potato boats. —Ane Burke, Bella Vista, Arkansas

Holiday Stromboli

At our house, we wrap holiday leftovers in pizza crust as a yummy way to finish them off. Here's to getting the flavor, without the all-day cooking. —Alia Slatton, Boulder, Colorado

Turkey & Vegetable Pasta

This recipe freezes beautifully and is a wonderful way to use up leftover holiday turkey and vegetables. —Veronica McCann, Columbus, Ohio

Gobbler Cakes

I watched a chef make crab cakes and decided to try it with turkey and stuffing. Now the kids request them year-round, so I buy cooked turkey. —Suzee Krebs, Brielle, New Jersey

Mexican Turkey Roll-Ups

This is the perfect recipe when you're hungry for a dish with Mexican flavor and want to use turkey. These roll-ups are fun and so tasty, even kids like them. It's a different use for leftover turkey. —Marlene Muckenhirn, Delano, Minnesota

Hearty Turkey 'n' Rice Soup

Use the leftover cooked turkey in the fridge to speed up dinner. You'll be ladling up bowlfuls of goodness in only 30 minutes. —Maggie Brewer, Canandaigua, New York

Turkey-Stuffed Acorn Squash

We stuff acorn squash with leftovers like turkey, dressing and cranberry sauce. Make as much or as little as you need to use everything up. —Cindy Romberg, Mississauga, Ontario

Turkey Tortilla Soup

My wife created this recipe as a healthy way to use up Thanksgiving leftovers. It's a nice alternative to the typical fare, and it's so easy. Our family looks forward to this soup every year. —Matthew Szyndler, Maumee, Ohio.

Day-After-Thanksgiving Turkey Stir-Fry

I work for a priest, Fr. Leo, who loves to cook and shared this recipe with me. Perfect for the day after Thanksgiving, the dish encompasses the holiday spirit, while adding a twist. —Stefen Lovelace, Marriottsville, Maryland

Reheat Cooked Turkey In Slow Cooker

Source: https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/reheating-turkey/

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