Whether you purchase a frozen, precooked turkey or freeze a turkey that you cooked, defrosting or thawing the turkey requires care to prevent the growth of bacteria. Safe defrosting of turkey excludes using hot water, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Reheating a defrosted cooked turkey correctly can prevent drying out the meat and avoid any possibility that parts of the turkey are not fully cooked.
Step 1
Place the frozen turkey, with wrapping intact, on a plate or tray in the refrigerator.
Step 2
Defrost, or thaw, the frozen turkey in the refrigerator. Defrosting the turkey requires about one day for each 4 or 5 lbs.
Step 3
Preheat the oven to at least 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 4
Cut or slice the turkey into smaller pieces after the turkey has completey thawed. Slice the turkey breast and, if you prefer, leave the turkey wings and legs whole. The smaller pieces reheat faster and more evenly than the turkey left whole.
Step 5
Add a small amount of broth or water to moisten the turkey and reheat it in a covered dish or roasting pan.
Step 6
Insert an instant-read thermometer in the leg of another thick part of the turkey to test the internal temperature. The turkey is properly reheated when the internal temperature reads 165 degrees Fahrenheit and the meat is hot and steaming.
Tips and Warnings
- Follow packaging directions if you have purchased a precooked frozen turkey. To reheat the turkey in the microwave, place the smaller pieces in a covered dish and cook until the internal temperature is 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Rotate the dish throughout the cooking period if the microwave does not have a rotating plate inside. Eat reheated frozen turkey within three to four days. Cooked turkey can become rancid after two months in the freezer. Frozen leftovers are of better quality if used within two to six months of freezing.
- The Alabama Cooperative Extension System warns against refreezing food that has been thawed.
Things You'll Need
- Knife
- Plate
- Roasting pan with cover
- Stock or water
- Instant-read thermometer
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