Warming up a pre-cooked honey baked ham turkey can seem like a daunting task, but it’s actually quite simple with some preparation and planning. The keys are bringing the turkey to room temperature slowly, heating it gently to preserve moisture, and glazing it just before serving for maximum flavor. Follow these steps and you’ll have a juicy, delicious ham turkey ready for your next holiday meal or dinner party.
Let the Turkey Come to Room Temperature
The first step is to allow the turkey to come closer to room temperature before cooking. This helps the turkey heat evenly and prevents overcooking the outer portions while the middle is still cold. Take the turkey out of the refrigerator 1-2 hours before heating depending on the size. For a 10-12 lb turkey, 1 hour should suffice. Place the wrapped turkey on a baking sheet or roasting pan and let it sit on the counter.
Unwrap and Place Turkey in Oven
After letting the turkey warm up, remove it from the packaging and any metal clamp holding the legs together. Place it breast side up in a shallow roasting pan. You want the pan to be larger than the turkey so there is room for air circulation. Do not stuff the turkey, as this can lead to uneven cooking.
Calculate Cooking Time
The general rule of thumb for reheating a pre-cooked turkey is to allow 15 minutes per pound at 300°F. So for a 12 lb turkey, cook for approximately 3 hours at 300°F. Use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature, which should reach 140°F in the breast and 165°F in the thighs when done.
Monitor Temperature and Add Broth
Preheat your oven to 300°F. Place the roasting pan with the turkey on the middle rack. Check it periodically and add 1/2 cup turkey broth or water to the bottom of the pan every 45 minutes to keep it moist. Tent the turkey with foil to prevent over-browning.
Increase Temperature and Glaze
Once the turkey has reached the desired internal temperature, remove the foil and increase the oven to 400°F for the last 15-20 minutes. This helps brown and crisp the skin. Brush the turkey with your favorite glaze during the last 10 minutes cooking time. Options include honey mustard glaze, brown sugar glaze, or apricot ginger glaze.
Let Turkey Rest Before Carving
When the turkey is finished cooking, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 15-20 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to re-distribute through the meat. Transfer the turkey to a cutting board and slice into pieces to serve.
Troubleshooting
Turkey is drying out
If the turkey seems to be drying out while reheating, tent it with foil and add more broth to the bottom of the pan. Basting the turkey as it cooks also helps keep it moist. Reduce oven temperature if browning too quickly.
Skin is not browning
If the turkey skin is not getting crispy and brown by the end, increase the oven temp to 425°F for the last 10-15 minutes of cooking. Broil for 1-2 minutes right at the very end watching carefully to avoid burning.
Turkey is not heating evenly
Using a shallow roasting pan allows for better air circulation to ensure even heating. Rotate the pan halfway through cooking. Let the turkey sit at room temperature longer before cooking to prevent the middle from being cold.
Turkey is undercooked
Always check the internal temperature in multiple spots with a meat thermometer for accuracy. If undercooked, return to oven and cook longer, testing every 10-15 minutes until desired temperature is reached.
Serving and Leftovers
Allow the turkey to rest for 15-20 minutes before slicing. Use an electric knife for easy, clean cuts. Serve the turkey warm accompanied by your favorite side dishes. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours and store for 3-4 days. Reheat slices in the microwave or oven until warmed through.
Storing any uneaten turkey longer than 4 days is not recommended. The turkey can be used in casseroles, sandwiches, salads and soups. Freeze carved turkey pieces for longer term storage.
Conclusion
Warming up a pre-cooked honey baked ham turkey is easy when you follow a few simple guidelines. Allow it to come to room temperature slowly, calculate 15 minutes per pound cooking time at 300°F, and glaze right at the end. Monitoring the internal temperature and adding broth prevents drying out. Resting before carving and proper storage of leftovers completes the steps to delicious holiday turkey success! With this handy guide, your honey baked ham turkey will be moist, flavorful and ready to serve a crowd.
Turkey Size | Approximate Cooking Time at 300°F |
---|---|
10 lbs | 2.5 – 3 hours |
12 lbs | 3 – 3.5 hours |
14 lbs | 3.5 – 4 hours |
16 lbs | 4 – 4.5 hours |
18 lbs | 4.5 – 5 hours |
20 lbs | 5 – 5.5 hours |
Internal Temperature | Doneness |
---|---|
140°F | Breast |
165°F | Thighs |
Here are some delicious glaze options:
Glaze | Ingredients |
---|---|
Honey Mustard | 1/4 cup honey, 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon butter |
Brown Sugar | 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup butter, 1 teaspoon cinnamon |
Apricot Ginger | 1/2 cup apricot jam, 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger, 2 tablespoons orange juice |
Leftover turkey will last for 3-4 days refrigerated. Frozen, slices or pieces of carved turkey can keep for 4-6 months. Make sure to wrap tightly in freezer bags or airtight containers.
Some ideas for using up turkey leftovers:
– Turkey sandwiches – Use slices on bread or rolls with cranberry sauce and stuffing
– Turkey casserole – Mix turkey, vegetables, rice or pasta and cheese sauce then bake
– Turkey soup – Simmer turkey pieces, stock, vegetables and seasonings for a hearty soup
– Turkey tetrazzini – Turkey and spaghetti in a creamy Parmesan cheese sauce
– Turkey salad – Toss chunks of turkey with fresh greens, veggies,cheese, nuts and a vinaigrette
– Turkey tacos or enchiladas – Warm diced turkey in taco seasoning or enchilada sauce
– Turkey pot pie – Make a sauce with vegetables and gravy, top with a biscuit crust
– Turkey hash – Dice turkey and combine with potatoes, onions, peppers and seasonings then fry up
With a bit of creativity, you can enjoy delicious turkey meals for days after your initial holiday feast. A honey baked ham turkey warmed up to perfection makes for fantastic leftovers.