How To Reheat Turkey In Sous Vide

The sous vide is a great tool for cooking food, but it can also be used to reheat or defrost leftovers. One of the best ways you can use a sous vide or immersion circulator is to reheat Thanksgiving leftovers, like turkey. Since the sous vide will stay at a constant temperature, it’s easy and safe to Reheat Turkey In Sous Vide without drying it out!

Have leftover turkey on hand from your Thanksgiving feast? Reheating leftover turkey can be complicated because poultry can easily dry out. The sous vide method is the best way to reheat turkey breast, legs, or even a whole turkey (if the bag is big enough) without drying it out! This method can be used for roasted turkey or smoked turkey.

An immersion circulator or Sous Vide is a device that circulates water by running an electrical pump to move water through the device. The temperature stays regulated and constant making it a great tool for warming up Christmas or Thanksgiving turkey leftovers!

🦃How To Reheat Leftover Turkey In Sous Vide

Equipment:

• Sous vide immersion circulator
• Large container or pot
• Airtight resealable bag
• Cooking thermometer

1️⃣Prep the Sous Vide Setup: Fill the container or pot with water, leaving enough space for the immersion circulator. Attach the immersion circulator securely to the container.

2️⃣Set the Temperature: Set the sous vide temperature to around 140°F (60°C) to reheat leftover turkey.

3️⃣Bag the Turkey: Place the leftover turkey legs or breasts into the airtight resealable bag, arranging them in a single layer. Seal the bag almost completely, leaving a small opening for air to escape.

4️⃣Submerge the Bag: Slowly lower the bag with the turkey into the container of water, allowing the water pressure to push out any remaining air. Seal the bag completely once all the air is out.

5️⃣Start the Sous Vide Process: Gently clip the sealed bag to the side of the container, ensuring it’s fully submerged in the water bath.

6️⃣Cooking Time: Reheat the leftover turkey in the sous vide bath for about 1 to 1.5 hours. This time frame helps ensure the turkey breast and legs reach the desired temperature evenly.

7️⃣Finish and Serve: After the reheating time is up, carefully remove the bag from the water bath. Open the bag and transfer the turkey to a serving plate.

8️⃣Optional Searing: If desired, you can quickly sear the turkey in a hot skillet or on a grill for a minute on each side to develop a crispy outer layer.

9️⃣Serve and Enjoy: Plate the reheated leftover turkey and serve it alongside your favorite sides and condiments.

Remember that sous vide cooking times and temperatures may vary based on the size and thickness of the leftover turkey legs and breasts, so use a thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches the desired level for safe consumption. Enjoy your deliciously reheated leftover turkey!

👩🏻‍🍳Turkey Reheating Tips

• Water Bath Stability: Maintain a stable water temperature throughout the process by covering your sous vide container with plastic wrap to minimize evaporation.
• Bagging Technique: Seal leftover turkey in an airtight bag, removing as much air as possible before submerging it in the water bath to ensure even reheating.
• Even Reheating: Arrange leftover turkey in a single layer, and turkey legs and breasts are cut to a similar thickness within the bag to promote consistent reheating throughout the sous vide process.
• Prevent Overcooking: Aim for a shorter reheating time to avoid overcooking and drying out the leftover turkey; sous vide retains moisture but can cause texture changes if the turkey is heated excessively.
• Custom Seasoning: Enhance flavor by seasoning leftover turkey legs and breasts before sealing them in the bag, ensuring the flavors infuse during the sous vide process.
• Vacuum Sealer: This recipe uses the water displacement method. However, you can use a vacuum sealer with vacuum sealer bags to reheat turkey.

❔FAQ

How long should I sous vide leftover turkey to reheat it safely? Reheat leftover turkey in the sous vide bath for approximately 1 to 1.5 hours, ensuring it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to guarantee safe consumption while maintaining its tenderness.

Can I season the turkey before sous vide reheating? Absolutely, seasoning the turkey before sealing it in the bag will infuse flavor during the sous vide process, enhancing the taste of the leftover turkey legs or breasts.

Is a sear necessary after sous vide reheating? While not mandatory, a quick sear in a hot skillet or on a grill after sous vide reheating can add a desirable crispy outer layer to the leftover turkey, enhancing its texture and flavor.

What’s the advantage of using sous vide to reheat turkey? Sous vide reheating maintains the turkey’s moisture and tenderness, preventing it from drying out and losing flavor, which is often the case with traditional reheating methods.

🍗Easy Turkey Recipes

• Air Fryer Turkey Legs
• Sous Vide Turkey Breast
• Instant Pot Turkey Breast
• Dutch Oven Turkey Breast
• Thanksgiving Turkey Burgers