Reheating a deep-fried turkey can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be! With some planning and a few tips, you can easily reheat your deep-fried turkey safely and deliciously. The most important factors when reheating a deep-fried turkey are ensuring it is fully cooked through to a safe internal temperature and preventing it from drying out.
How long does it take to reheat a deep-fried turkey?
The amount of time needed to properly reheat a deep-fried turkey depends on a few factors:
– Size of the turkey – A larger, whole deep-fried turkey will take longer to reheat than turkey pieces or slices. Whole turkeys usually range from 10 to 20 pounds.
– Cooked temperature – Was the turkey originally cooked to the recommended safe minimum internal temperature of 165°F? The lower the original cooked temperature, the longer it will need for reheating.
– Reheating method – Oven reheating takes longer than microwave reheating. Deep-frying again is fastest.
– Serving temperature – Do you want the meat piping hot or just warmed through?
For whole deep-fried turkeys, reheating time can range from 1 to 3 hours if using a conventional oven at 325°F. Microwaving slices takes just minutes but microwaving a whole turkey is not recommended. Here are general reheating time guidelines:
| Turkey Type | Reheating Method | Approximate Time |
|---|---|---|
| Whole turkey (10-20 lbs) | Oven at 325°F | 1 to 3 hours |
| Turkey pieces or slices | Oven at 325°F | 15 to 30 minutes |
| Turkey slices | Microwave | 1 to 5 minutes |
The best way to determine doneness is to use a digital meat thermometer. Check the temperature in a few spots, aiming for 165°F throughout. If reheating sliced meat, verify the center reaches 165°F.
Tips for Reheating a Deep-Fried Turkey
Follow these tips for safely reheating your deep-fried turkey and keeping it tender and juicy:
– Use an oven cooking bag – Placing the turkey in an oven cooking bag while reheating helps retain moisture. Follow the bag directions.
– Place on a rack – Position the turkey on a rack in a roasting pan so air can circulate all around the bird. This prevents steaming.
– Use broth or stock – Pour some turkey or chicken broth or stock into the bottom of the roasting pan. The evaporating liquid keeps the turkey from drying out.
– Baste frequently – Brushing the turkey with butter, olive oil, or poultry drippings helps keep the skin from drying out. Baste every 30 minutes.
– Tent with foil – Loosely cover the turkey with aluminum foil during reheating, removing it for the last 30 minutes. This keeps the skin crispy.
– Carve before reheating – For quicker reheating, carve the turkey into pieces or slices first. Remember to verify 165°F.
– Reheat stuffing separately – Cook stuffing to 165°F before serving to prevent bacterial growth. Microwave or bake alongside turkey.
– Fry again – The fastest way to reheat is to refry the turkey pieces in oil for a few minutes until hot and crispy again. Use caution.
Can You Microwave a Deep-Fried Turkey?
You can microwave leftover deep-fried turkey to reheat it, but there are some caveats:
– Only microwave small portions or slices, not a whole turkey. The density is too thick for even heating.
– Use a lower microwave power level between 30% to 50% power. High heat causes rubbery, dried out meat.
– Cover the turkey with a damp paper towel to prevent splatter and keep moist. Do not let towel directly touch.
– Heat turkey pieces for 1-2 minutes per slice until warmed through. Check temperature.
– Let microwaved turkey sit for a few minutes before serving so heat distributes evenly.
– Do not microwave for more than 5 minutes at a time. Turkey can quickly overcook.
The microwave can rapidly reheat fried turkey slices nicely without drying them out. Just be cautious of uneven hot spots and use care when removing from the microwave so steam burns don’t occur.
Can You Refrigerate and Freeze Leftover Deep-Fried Turkey?
Yes, properly stored leftover deep-fried turkey can be refrigerated for 3 to 4 days or frozen for extended storage. Here are some tips:
– Allow the cooked turkey to cool at room temperature for 1-2 hours before refrigerating. This prevents condensation.
– Carve turkey from the bones into smaller portions for quicker chilling. Remove stuffing.
– Place cooled turkey pieces in shallow airtight containers or resealable plastic freezer bags.
– Refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking. Use within 3 to 4 days.
– For freezing, ensure turkey is cooled and tightly sealed in freezer bags. Exclude extra air.
– Frozen turkey keeps well for 2 to 3 months at 0°F or below. Thaw overnight in fridge before reheating.
Proper rapid chilling, air-tight packaging and temperature control are vital for reducing bacteria growth and safely preserving your leftover deep-fried turkey.
What are the Best Ways to Serve Reheated Fried Turkey?
Beyond traditional sandwiches and dinners, here are some delicious ways to serve reheated deep-fried turkey:
– Tacos – Dice or shred turkey and pile on warmed tortillas or taco salad. Top with salsa and fixings.
– Soup – Simmer bite-size turkey pieces in chicken broth with veggies for turkey noodle soup.
– Casserole – Combine chopped turkey with rice or pasta, cheese, mushroom soup and veggies. Bake until hot and bubbly.
– Quesadillas – Sandwich sliced turkey between tortillas with cheese. Grill until cheese melts.
– Salad – Toss room temperature turkey slices on top of mixed salad greens with vinaigrette.
– Pizza – Top baked pizza crust with turkey, cheese, bell peppers, red onion, pineapple and bbq sauce.
– Eggs – Add diced turkey to scrambled eggs or frittatas for a protein boost.
The possibilities are endless for giving leftover fried turkey new life! Get creative.
Is it Safe to Eat Reheated Deep-Fried Turkey?
Yes, reheated deep-fried turkey is safe to eat as long as proper food safety precautions are followed:
– Original turkey must be fully cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F before frying. Use a meat thermometer to verify doneness.
– Cool turkey within 2 hours after initial cooking to prevent bacterial growth.
– Refrigerate or freeze leftovers in shallow, covered containers within this 2 hour window.
– Reheat leftovers to 165°F. Check temperature in multiple spots with a food thermometer.
– Do not let turkey sit in the danger zone between 40°F to 140°F for over 2 hours total during reheating.
– Leftovers should be eaten within 3 to 4 days and reheated only once for food safety. Discard any turkey with an off smell or appearance.
When handled properly, leftover fried turkey has a low risk for causing foodborne illness. But always exercise caution and verify safe temperatures when reheating.
Conclusion
Reheating deep-fried turkey takes some time, care and patience. Allow 1 to 3 hours for oven reheating a whole bird, less for pieces. Use methods like cooking bags, broth and foil tents to prevent drying. Microwave small portions carefully or refry in oil for crispy results. Properly stored fried turkey keeps well refrigerated or frozen. And reheated turkey can be used creatively in many delicious dishes. Following food safety recommendations helps ensure your leftovers are just as tasty and safe the second time around.