This Simple Trick from Ina Garten Will Keep Your Turkey from Drying Out
Updated: Nov. 23, 2022
All you need is extra gravy for Ina's latest turkey hack.
We’ve been cooking turkey for a long, long time. It’s a big bird with a lot of meat and tons of servings—one turkey basically covers the entire family and more! But getting the temperature and texture just right can be a total pain. How are you supposed to keep a turkey that big both juicy and delicious for so long? The thought itself is stressful enough. We just want to enjoy time with our families, that’s all.
Well, we’re here to give you a Thanksgiving turkey tip you won’t soon forget. This Ina Garten turkey hack will keep your turkey juicy and ready to go all day long.
How to Keep Turkey Juicy, According to Ina
Ina Garten always has all the tips and tricks in the book. Talk about the total package! Now she’s here to help us with Thanksgiving, and we are eternally grateful.
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It’s very simple—as usual, Ina recommends cooking as much as possible beforehand. Doing so cuts down on day-of stress and gives you the time to fix anything that might need fixing. With this method, you can cook your perfectly seasoned turkey ahead of time and have it still be wonderfully juicy come dinner!
Here’s what you’ll do. Once your turkey is cooked, you’ll slice it into pieces as best you can. Using an oven-safe platter or baking sheet, you’ll line the bottom with a “puddle” of gravy, as Ina says. Place your turkey slices on top of the gravy to keep them nice and moist. Once you’re ready to serve, simply reheat the turkey slices in the oven at 245°F.
She’s about to make our juiciest turkey ever even juicier.
Other Ways to Keep Turkey Juicy
Reheating turkey can affect its moisture level. You can also keep turkey juicy by:
- Cooking the legs longer than the breast
- Soaking your turkey in brining liquid
- Covering your turkey with foil
- Resting the turkey for a few hours
Happy Thanksgiving!
The Best Turkey Leftover Recipes
Turkey PotpiesWith their golden brown crust and scrumptious filling, these comforting turkey potpies will warm you down to your toes. Because the recipe makes two, you can eat one now and freeze the other for later. They bake and cut beautifully. —Laurie Jensen, Cadillac, Michigan
Air-Fryer Turkey CroquettesI grew up with a family that looked forward to Thanksgiving leftovers. But we didn't just reheat turkey and spuds in the microwave—we took our culinary creativity to a new level with recipes like these air-fryer turkey croquettes. Serve them with a crisp green salad for an unforgettable meal. —Meredith Coe, Charlottesville, Virginia
Crescent Turkey CasseroleHow do you make a dinner of leftover turkey and vegetables really appealing to kids? You turn it into a pie, of course! My version tastes classic, but won’t take much time at all. —Daniela Essman, Perham, Minnesota
Bistro Turkey SandwichAs a turkey lover who can't get enough during fall and winter, I was inspired to come up with a restaurant-worthy sandwich. I love it with a soft, rich cheese like Brie. —Grace Voltolina, Westport, Connecticut
Bistro Turkey CalzoneLeftover turkey, cheddar and bacon harmonize well with the apple in this family-friendly fare. —Donna Marie Ryan, Topsfield, Massachusetts
Turkey a La KingThis is a smart way to use up leftover turkey. You might want to make a double batch! —Mary Gaylord, Balsam Lake, Wisconsin
Turkey-Stuffed Acorn SquashWe stuff acorn squash with leftover turkey, dressing and cranberry sauce. Make as much or as little as you need to use everything up. —Cindy Romberg, Mississauga, Ontario
Hot Brown Turkey CasseroleIf you've ever tried the Hot Brown Sandwich at the Brown Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky, you'll love this version. It can be assembled ahead and refrigerated; just adjust baking time accordingly if cold. —Diane Halferty, Corpus Christi, Texas
Dilly Turkey MeltThis is a hearty grilled sandwich with a distinctive and delicious combination of ingredients. The pickle slices add a bit of fun, and the barbecue sauce provides a hint of sweetness that's irresistible. —Henry Mujica, North Riverside, Illinois
Turkey Biscuit SkilletMy mother always made this with leftover turkey while we were growing up. Now I make it for my own husband and kids. I use the small-size biscuits because they brown up so nicely on top. I also add mushrooms to this recipe sometimes because my family loves 'em. —Keri Boffeli, Monticello, Iowa
Classic Cobb SaladMaking this salad is a lot like putting in a garden. I plant everything in nice, neat sections, just as I do with seedlings. —Patricia Kile, Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania
Turkey Corn ChowderThis thick and rich turkey corn chowder uses up Thanksgiving leftovers. Every so often, my grandmother would even add chopped hard-boiled eggs to this chowder to give it a nice richness. —Susan Bickta, Kutztown, Pennsylvania
Minestrone with TurkeyI remember my mom making this soup; now I make it for my kids as often as I can. It's a good way to use up leftover turkey and vegetables. Sometimes I add a can of rinsed and drained kidney or garbanzo beans. —Angela Goodman, Kaneohe, Hawaii
Avocado Turkey SaladGrape tomatoes and avocado chunks add pretty color and fresh flavor to this main-dish salad. In a pinch, substitute half-and half or milk for the whipping cream, adding a teaspoon at a time until you get the desired consistency. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Italian Turkey SkilletIt's a challenge to find imaginative ways to use leftovers, especially for turkey after Thanksgiving. Here's a favorite of mine that you can easily make ahead for another dinner option. Prepare the recipe as directed, then transfer to a casserole dish and freeze up to three months. —Patricia Kile, Nokomis, Florida
Turkey BundlesThis recipe is definitely a must-try, and all you do is bundle up creamy filling and leftover turkey in crescent dough. I usually double the recipe so I have extra for lunch the next day. —Lydia Garrod, Tacoma, Washington
Turkey Biscuit StewThis chunky stew makes a hearty supper, especially in the fall and winter. It's also a great way to use extra turkey during the holidays. —Lori Schlecht, Wimbledon, North Dakota
Turkey CrepesThis savory crepe recipe has been passed down through many generations in my family. You can also use any leftover turkey filling for turkey pot pie. —Andrea Price, Grafton, Wisconsin
Black Bean 'n' Pumpkin ChiliMy family is crazy about this slow cooker chili because it uses ingredients you don't usually find in chili. Believe it or not, I discovered that pumpkin is what makes the dish so special. Cook up a big batch and freeze some for later; it tastes even better reheated. —Deborah Vliet, Holland, Michigan
Originally Published: November 23, 2022
