We're Begging You—Stop Reheating Your Turkey In The Microwave

Turkey is the most crucial dish on any Thanksgiving table, but it's not exactly everybody's favorite. And honestly? We don't blame them. Too often the supposed star of the meal is dry and flavorless. Not even a lake's worth of gravy is enough to salvage some birds.

But if you think freshly roasted turkey can get dry, then reheated leftover turkey is like the Sahara Desert. When not warmed properly, any semblance of succulence goes out the window. It can truly ruin the whole leftovers experience.

But that doesn't mean all forms of reheating turkey have to destroy the textural integrity of your bird. In fact, there are simple ways to breathe new life into your Thanksgiving leftovers. And there are even ways to add moisture back into otherwise dry meat.

Depending on the way your turkey is stored and what type of meat you're working with, you'll want to approach the reheating process differently. So we're breaking down the best ways to warm up leftover turkey in all of its forms.

We're sorry to break the news, but you should avoid your microwave at all costs. The harsh, intense, and uneven heating mechanism will leave your turkey tough, rubbery, and unappetizing. It may save you a few minutes, but the quality of your leftovers will pay the ultimate price.

With our Delish-approved techniques, you can enjoy turkey at its very best: moist, juicy, and packed with savory flavor. While you can certainly repeat your original Thanksgiving spread, why not transform your turkey into an exciting and entirely new recipe? Check out some of our favorites below:

Oven Method

If you plan to reheat meat that's still attached to the bone or if you're heating several servings at once, the oven is the most effective method for you. The way ovens work is by circulating hot, dry air—so you definitely don't want to just throw your turkey on a baking sheet and call it a day. Instead, you want to take some precautionary measures to trap as much moisture as possible.

The best way to reheat turkey in the oven is by placing your meat in a roasting pan or baking dish with high sides. Then you'll add liquid in the form of water or stock to the bottom of your baking vessel. Even a shallow bath of liquid is enough to rehydrate your bird. But if you're feeling decadent, adding a tablespoon or two of butter to the pan also helps to add richness and moisture.

There's no point in adding all of this moisture if you're not going to take the steps to trap it. You need to tightly cover the top of your baking dish—either with foil or a tight fitting lid—before popping your leftovers in the oven. This creates an airtight environment where the water or broth in the base of your baking dish eventually turns into the steam that will heat your turkey.

Low and slow heat is the key here. You should preheat your oven to no higher than 325°F when using this method. It's not the fastest way to reach your warm turkey destination, but it is the gentlest. Depending on the size of your turkey pieces, this can take anywhere from 20 to 45 minutes.

Stovetop Method

Not everybody has the patience to preheat the oven and wait for their turkey to gradually warm through. And that's okay! If you're only heating up enough turkey for one or two people, you can have leftover-ready turkey in just a few minutes on the stovetop. And the methodology is strikingly similar to the oven technique.

First, you need to arrange your (preferably pre-sliced) turkey on a cold skillet. Then, just like with the oven, you should add broth or water for moisture. You'll only need a few tablespoons in this instance since you're working with a smaller amount of meat. And of course, butter is an optional but highly recommended addition.

To reheat your turkey over the stove, place a tight-fitting lid on your prepared skillet and heat the entire thing over medium low heat until the meat is warmed through. This process can take anywhere from 3-6 minutes.

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