How To Cook Store And Reheat A Pre Cooked Whole Turkey

Make sure to heat your pre-cooked turkey to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Image Credit: AlexRaths/iStock/GettyImages

Defrosting
Serving Cold
Heating
How to Store Thanksgiving Leftovers
Reheating

Check the packaging on your already cooked bird. It should come with step-by-step instructions detailing how to safely heat up the turkey.

Always check the instructions on your frozen ready-to-serve turkey. There are exceptions to the “thaw first” rule: A frozen turkey that is stuffed should not be thawed, according to the USDA.

If you or your guests are immunosuppressed, avoid eating cold pre-cooked turkey meat, according to the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. Instead, heat it up to an internal temp of 165 F before eating.

Turkey Weight Servings* Reheating Time 10 lbs. 8 1 hr 20 mins to 1 hr 40 mins 15 lbs. 12 2 hrs to 2.5 hrs 20 lbs. 16 2.5 hrs to 3 hrs 15 mins 25 lbs. 20 3 hrs 15 mins to 4 hrs 15 mins

Source: Honey-B Ham

If desired, you can use the drippings from the bottom of the roaster pan to make homemade gravy. To thicken it, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch per 1 cup of drippings, per the Argo Starch website.

Use a food thermometer to make sure that both bird and stuffing reach 165 degrees, per the USDA.

Roasted turkey should be eaten within 3 to 4 days, according to the University of Illinois Extension. That means that your Thanksgiving turkey should be eaten — or thrown away — by the Monday after the big holiday, per the USDA.