How to Reheat Turkey Thighs? - Step by Step

Leftover turkey thighs are a great candidate for lunch or dinner the next day. But the problem is, how should you reheat them to make them juicy and soft?

How to reheat turkey thighs?

The best way to reheat turkey thighs is in the oven, in a tightly covered pan, with a little broth, water or sauce, and a little butter at 300 F for about 40 minutes. A low heat and a longer cooking time will ensure the best results. You can also reheat the turkey thighs on the stove or in the microwave to save time.

In this article, you’ll learn all about how to reheat turkey thighs using different methods, so you never have to eat dry turkey again. Read on for best practices when it comes to reheating this delicious meal.

How to reheat turkey without drying it out

Some people do not enjoy reheated turkey because they feel it lacks the juiciness of freshly cooked turkey. And that’s right, if you don’t know how to store and reheat turkey so it stays moist and delicious.

There are a few secrets to getting perfectly juicy reheated turkey.

• Save it well . Your turkey will lose all its flavor and dry out if you store it uncovered in the fridge. Don’t just put it on a plate and store it in the fridge. Cover meat tightly or place in a separate container with a tight-fitting lid.

When storing cooked turkey in the freezer, use aluminum foil or food wrap to ensure it is not exposed to cold air. Otherwise, the turkey will get freezer burn, affecting flavor, texture, and color.

• Add moisture and fat to reheat it . Storing the turkey in the fridge or freezer will make it dry out more. The best way to reheat turkey without drying it out further is by adding some type of liquid. Water, broth, or sauce are possible options.

Butter and oil also work wonders. Fat is the secret ingredient you want to have in the liquid you add, and it will make your reheated turkey thighs look fresh.

• Reheat turkey covered.  Turkey is best reheated covered. Especially when you’ve added the liquid, covering the turkey will create steam and reheat it evenly.
• Do not overheat . Turkey thighs contain a lot of connective tissue. Overheating will make the meat tougher. For best results, turkey thighs should be reheated over low heat, regardless of the reheating method you choose.

Once you’ve got that figured out, you can even start cooking the turkey ahead of time and store it in the fridge or freezer for quick sandwiches and wraps.

The best way to reheat turkey thighs

For a satisfying reheating experience, it’s best to reheat the meat the same way you cooked it.

Reheating turkey thighs in the oven at a low temperature is the best way to achieve even, juicy meat. It takes a while, but the result is worth it.

How to Reheat Turkey Thighs in the Oven - Step by Step

Reheating in the oven is the best way to get your turkey thighs to taste just as rich and juicy as when you first cooked them. Although it takes some time, we are sure that you will not be disappointed with the results.

Here’s how to reheat turkey thighs in the oven:

1. Preheat the oven to a temperature between 300°F and 350°F.
2. Take the turkey thighs out of the fridge and let them come to room temperature.
3. Put the turkey thighs in an ovenproof dish. Add a few tablespoons of broth or water. For a richer flavor, opt for the sauce. Add a piece of butter.
4. Cover the pan with a layer of aluminum foil. You can also put the turkey thighs directly on a layer of aluminum foil and wrap well.
5. Leave the turkey thighs in the oven for 30 to 45 minutes. You can use a thermometer to check the temperature of the meat. When it reaches 165°F in the thickest part of the turkey thigh, you can take it out and enjoy it.

How to Reheat Turkey Thighs - Other Methods

Although the oven is the best way to reheat turkey thighs, you may need other options. Here are other methods to reheat turkey thighs.

How to reheat turkey thighs in the kitchen

Cooking is the second best method for reheating turkey thighs. Here are some steps to follow to reheat turkey thighs on the stove:

1. 1. Put the turkey thighs in a flat-bottomed skillet.
   2. Pour a little broth into the pan (about 1 cm).

1. Cover the pot.
2. Cook over medium heat until the meat is heated evenly. This shouldn’t take more than a few minutes.

If you want the skin crispy, quickly fry the reheated turkey thighs in a little oil. Fry skin side down over high heat.

How to reheat turkey thighs in the microwave

Microwaving is not the “juiciest” method of reheating turkey thighs. But if you have no other options, you can make it work.

For best results when reheating turkey thighs in the microwave, try the following:

1. Divide the turkey thigh into smaller pieces to heat the meat evenly. Doing this will ruin the look of your turkey thighs, but it will ensure that you don’t eat cold meat.
2. Distribute the pieces on the plate instead of piling them up.
3. Add a splash of broth. You can also add butter to make it richer.
4. Cover the plate loosely with microwave-safe plastic wrap.
5. Microwave on medium or high power for 60 seconds per pound of meat.

Make a stew with leftover turkey leg

If reheated turkey thighs are your only option for dinner, you can make them a healthy side dish.

It will take you 4 to 8 hours to make a stew from leftover turkey thighs. But no one said that turning simple cold turkey into a hearty dish was going to be quick.

Put the cold turkey thighs in the slow cooker and add some vegetables. You can use potatoes, carrots, bell peppers, onions, and celery.

A few cups of broth, a tablespoon of flour, your favorite seasoning, and an effortless yet delicious stew will be ready in a few hours.

How to Reheat Smoked Turkey Thighs

A smoked turkey thigh can be enjoyed cold. But if you want to enhance the smoky aroma, it’s best to reheat it.

Here’s how to reheat smoked turkey thighs , whether they’re homemade or store-bought. Again, we recommend using the oven:

1. Preheat oven to 300°F. Put the turkey thigh in an ovenproof dish with a tight-fitting lid. If your baking dish does not have a lid, you can use aluminum foil to cover it.
2. Add one to two teaspoons of water. You can also use broth if you have at home.
3. Cover the dish and put it in the oven.
4. Leave the meat in the oven for about 2 hours. If you have a thermometer, check the internal temperature of the turkey thigh.

Store-bought smoked turkey thigh, unlike roast turkey, can be eaten when the temperature in the thickest part of the thigh reaches 140°F.

For homemade smoked turkey, aim for 165°F. It may not take you 2 hours to reach this temperature. But if you don’t have a thermometer, err on the side of insurance and leave the turkey in the oven for 2 hours.

How to reheat fried turkey thighs

Fried foods can create additional problems when it comes to reheating without sacrificing that perfect fried texture, but we’ve got you covered here too.

To reheat fried turkey thighs, try the following:

1. Preheat oven to 250°F.
2. While the oven is preheating, remove the turkey thighs from the refrigerator and allow them to come to room temperature.
3. Place the thighs on a baking tray. Unlike roasted turkey thighs, fried turkey thighs do not need to be covered, otherwise the crispiness of the skin will be lost.
4. Leave the fried turkey thighs in the oven for about 20-30 minutes.
5. Take them out and enjoy them with dips and your favorite sides.

How to Reheat Frozen Turkey Thighs

Freezing leftover turkey is a great idea, as it extends the shelf life of the cooked poultry. It keeps for about 3 or 4 days in the fridge, while in the freezer the useful life is extended up to 3 months.

To thaw frozen turkey thighs, transfer them from the freezer to the fridge the night before. Once the meat is thawed, you can reheat it following the instructions above.

If you’re in a rush to defrost frozen turkey thighs, you can try using the “Defrost” setting on your microwave. You can also place the turkey thighs in a plastic bag and hold it under cold running water to speed up the thawing process.

How many times can turkey thighs be reheated?

It is best to reheat the turkey thighs just once. You can reheat cooked turkey multiple times. However, it is not recommended to do so.

The internal temperature of the reheated turkey should be 165°F. But before it reaches this temperature, there is a suitable environment for bacteria to thrive. Therefore, it is better to avoid the risk as much as possible and reheat the turkey only once.

If you have several turkey thighs stored in the freezer or refrigerator, reheat as many as you will eat. It’s better to save some for later than let them go to waste or risk your health.