Food Styling: Holly Dreesman.

Or perhaps you want to make a salad or Thanksgiving leftover sandwich with turkey as the star?

These tips for how to reheat turkey in ovens, stovetops, or microwaves will definitely come in handy.

reheated sliced turkey with gravy in casserole dish

Credit:Jason Donnelly. Food Styling: Holly Dreesman. Prop Styling: Joseph Wanek

Sarah Brekke, M.S.

is aBetter Homes & GardensTest Kitchen culinary specialist.

(This also makes it easier to fit the turkey into yourstorage container.)

reheating cooked turkey in pot

Credit:Jason Donnelly

Refrigerate for up to 4 days.

In fact, she believes that reheating turkey without added liquid is the biggest mistake a person can make.

Feel free to add a pat of butter to that broth/stock, if you like.

cooked turkey cut into cubes in dish for reheating

Credit:Jason Donnelly

Cook, covered, over low heat until heated to 165F, stirring occasionally.

(This usually takes about 30 minutes.)

Test Kitchen Tip:Low and slow is your best bet when trying to master reheating a turkey.

sliced turkey in casserole dish

Credit:Jason Donnelly

Avoid bringing the liquid to a boil, as that may cause the turkey to get tough.

Is it possible to reheat turkey in a slow cooker?

Is it the best choice?

No, Brekke admits.

In fact, the USDA does not recommend reheating any kind of leftovers in a slow cooker.

How Many Times Can You Reheat Leftover Turkey?

Technically, as long as the leftover turkey reaches 165F every time, it should be safe to eat.

But we dont advise reheating turkey more than once.

Bring the turkey back up to temp alongside gravy or stock/broth to keep the meat moist.

Frequently Asked Questions

A turkey shouldn’t be left at room temperature for more than two hours.

It’s best to serve this dish as soon as it has finished cooking in the oven.

Yes, the internal temperature needs to reach 165F to be considered safe to eat.

This is why you should always check the internal temperature instead of relying on the color of the meat.

How to Cook a Thanksgiving Turkey.

Slow Cookers and Food Safety.

How Temperatures Affect Food.USDA.