Leftover turkey is easy to ruin in the reheating. Warm it too little and it may not be safe, and warm it too hard and the slices turn dry and stringy. Here is what the food experts at USDA and CDC say about reheating cooked turkey, gravy and stuffing, and how to do it in the microwave, oven and on the stovetop.
How do you reheat leftover turkey?
The Short Answer: Cut the turkey into smaller pieces, cover it, and heat it until a food thermometer reads 165°F. USDA’s leftovers guidance says leftovers should reach 165°F as measured with a food thermometer, and that gravy, sauces and soups should be brought to a rolling boil. CDC’s holiday turkey page says to reheat all leftovers to at least 165°F before serving or eating. USDA’s Turkey Basics page says reheating a whole turkey is not recommended. Its Let’s Talk Turkey page says to set the oven no lower than 325°F and to add a little broth or water and cover the turkey. Reheating only helps turkey that has been stored correctly, so use it within 3 to 4 days of cooking.
For a complete pantry and fridge reference, see our Food Storage Guide. For related questions, see how long cooked turkey lasts in the fridge, how long cooked turkey can sit out and how to fix dry turkey.
Reheating Leftover Turkey: At a Glance
Target temperature
165°F, measured with a food thermometer (USDA leftovers guidance, CDC)
Gravy, sauces, soups
Bring to a rolling boil (USDA)
Whole turkey
Reheating a whole turkey is not recommended. Cut it into smaller pieces first (USDA Turkey Basics)
Microwave
Cover, vent, rotate or stir, add liquid if needed, allow standing time, check in several places (USDA)
Oven
Set the oven no lower than 325°F, add a little broth or water, cover, and heat until the turkey reads 165°F (USDA)
Slow cooker
Not recommended for reheating cold leftovers (USDA)
Stovetop, air fryer
No USDA turkey procedure on the pages we read. Use a thermometer to confirm 165°F
Frozen cooked turkey
Thaw in the refrigerator, cut into small pieces, then reheat. USDA also says leftovers can be reheated without thawing
Keeping it hot to serve
140°F or warmer, and not longer than 2 hours (USDA)
Past 4 days in the fridge
Discard it. Reheating does not make it safe
Key Takeaways
USDA’s leftovers guidance says leftovers should reach 165°F as measured with a food thermometer when reheated. Its Turkey Basics page says to reheat thoroughly to 165°F or until hot and steaming.
CDC’s holiday turkey page (reviewed April 2024) says to reheat all leftovers to at least 165°F before serving or eating.
USDA says to bring sauces, soups and gravies to a rolling boil when reheating them.
USDA’s Turkey Basics page says reheating a whole turkey is not recommended. It says to cut the meat into smaller pieces, or slice the breast and leave legs and wings whole.
For the microwave, USDA says to cover the food, rotate it for even heating, add some liquid if needed, allow a resting time, and check the tempe
