Can you cook the turkey the day before and reheat it on Thanksgiving?

Reheat Your Turkey the Next Day You can bake it along with the stuffing (drizzle a little turkey broth over the stuffing before you bake it to add some turkey flavor) and side dishes, but watch the bird carefully, as you don't want to overcook it or dry out the meat by leaving it in the oven too long.

Can I butter and season my turkey the night before?

Yes! You can season, stuffed and butter up the turkey the night before and place it onto a roasting pan, then into the refrigerator . Can I make the garlic butter ahead of time? Yes, I recommend making the garlic butter ahead of time to save time the day of, especially if you have lots of other dishes to prepare.

How long to roast a 20 lb turkey unstuffed?

Cooking time will vary. For example, a 20 pound turkey will take 4 1/4 to 5 hours to cook, check the temperature on the thermometer after 4 1/4 hours.

For Less Stress, Roast Your Thanksgiving Turkey Ahead (2024)

by Williams-Sonoma EditorsOctober 30, 2021October 29, 2021

Turkey is the star of most Thanksgiving dinners, but it can also be the most stressful component of the meal for home cooks. How many times have all of us wondered: Will it be ready when the guests arrive? Will the meat be dry? What if the bird isn’t actually cooked throughout?

If roasting a turkey under pressure sounds intimidating, consider another strategy: Cook the turkey ahead.Roasting your turkey ahead will save you the time spent testing and carving, allowing you to spend more time with your guests.

It’s easy: Simply cook it a day or two in advance, let it cool completely, then carve the bird into large pieces—breasts, wings, thighs and drumsticks. Store in a container in the refrigerator until the big day.

This method actually result in juicier meat—and an infinitely more relaxed host.

If you’re traveling, this is an easy way to transport your turkey. Then complete the following steps to reheat it once you reach your destination.

To reheat the turkey, put the meat back in a roasting pan, pour a bit of chicken stock over the turkey to keep it moist, and cover. Bake in a 325ºF oven alongside side dishes for about 45 minutes to an hour, depending on the size of the bird.Once it’s warm, carve the turkey into slices; you’ll find that this is much easier to do with segments than it is with a whole bird.

Though a reheated turkey may lack the crispy skin of one right out of the oven, the method described here can actually result in juicier meat—and an infinitely more relaxed host.

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41 comments

KatieOctober 11, 2022 -

I will certainly do the Turkey etc. before the big event! It was moist and delicious, as everyone commented.. I finally got to enjoy The Big Dinner!

Bruce MacDonaldOctober 5, 2022 -

Well to each his/her own, but this recipe was an absolute DISASTER for me! Yesterday I had a beautiful moist perfect turkey with nice crisp skin, Today, after following this awful recipe, I have a dry turkey with soggy skin. I will never make this mistake again. No more day ahead of time foolishness. It should have been obvious that reheating at 325 is way too high. It was obvious to my husband, but I said no no I’ll follow the recipe and it will be fine. NOT. Zero stars from me.

fnf modAugust 11, 2022 -

I’ve been making this turkey for five years, and every year the gathering grows. Once the food is being consumed, all you can hear are yumminess and requests like “please pass the turkey” or “please pass the gravy.” I simply follow this wonderful recipe exactly, savoring every every drop.

octordleJuly 22, 2022 -

Roasting your Thanksgiving turkey is a great way to save time and have dinner ready when you get home from work or school. It’s also a good way to ensure that the turkey is cooked to perfection. If you’re worried about the size of your oven, don’t be!

TomApril 15, 2022 -

Question:Doing Turkey for Easter and want to do it this way. I assume you make the gravy the day before as well or do you save the drippings and make the next day? It seems to me the best way to make sure that you incorporate all of the bits stuck to the pan is to just make the gravy the day before as well?

Williams-Sonoma EditorsApril 15, 2022 -

Yes, we would also make the gravy ahead. It will save you time on the holiday and may even taste better after the flavors have had a chance to come together. Enjoy!

heatherMay 4, 2018 -

Looks like Woody has a lot of haters! Reheating the turkey is preparing a whole, eneaten turkey after it has been cooked the day or two ahead.Its NOT LEFTOVERS WOODY!!!!! The chicken broth you pour over the top not only helps keep it moist, it also helps preserve the meat!!!!

BarbApril 2, 2018 -

I made a Turkey yesterday I thought It was cooked but when I went to carve it today I noticed parts were still bloody and raw. I put in the oven today. Now I am wondering is it safe to eat since it sat in partially raw juices o er night until I noticed it had not cooked all the way through.
Any comments

vague moonDecember 30, 2017 -

do you have to carve the turkey, can you just leave it as is and refrigerate it until it is time to reheat?

PegNovember 20, 2018 -

Cutting the meat off the bones will likely help it to cool quicker and then reheat faster when you’re ready to serve…. plus it’s one less thing to mess with on “the day of”… carving takes time and lots of counter space!

MelDecember 14, 2017 -

I’m sure Woody’s in the kitchen helping “the little woman” with the cooking, carving, mashing, stirring, setting the table, cutting desserts , entertaining guests. I hope he’s not sitting in his barco-lounger with a beer in his hand watching football. I’ve been cooking 40 pounds of turkey every year for my church one day ahead and it works beautifully.

MelDecember 14, 2017 -

RobinNovember 30, 2017 -

This is a make or break thing for me. The stress of doing Christmas dinner for 17+ ranging in age from 3 to 86 with some food restrictions due to one on dialysis plus actually trying to enjoy the day is just too much. Especially as I tend to be a perfectionist. I will trust “Williams Sonoma” when they say that this can even result in a juicier turkey. This sounds like a clever idea, and if it reduces kitchen chaos we will all have a happier day. Making memories with my family is far more important. (Blessings to Woody. Hope life gets better for you soon.)

Pam LukensNovember 22, 2017 -

I decided to roast my turkey today with Thanksgiving being tomorrow. I feel much better with the task being out of the way. Time to carve the turkey and refrigerate! Much less stress for me tomorrow!

PJNovember 22, 2017 -

Sounds like a deal! Woody can eat tv dinners, I’m having home cooked food

MJNovember 22, 2019 -

Doesn’t he realize some things in restaurants are made daily, some a day or 2 in advance? Some stuff fresh, and some stuff frozen? He’d better not go out to eat. Woody, hope you eat fresh daily AND have to make it yourself. 🦃

Karen WalkerNovember 21, 2017 -

This is wonderful. I have been cooking my turkey the day ahead, for the past three 3 years. No slippery greasy piping hot bird, taking up the oven, making my sink dirty, burning my fingers, taking up Space.
I cut the bird into large portions and pour all the broth over it, and into the fridge it goes. The next day I slice and reheat it.
Woody….get a grip. Obviously you never had to clean the pans, cook the dinner, serve the guests and entertain your company all at once.
This is a game changer!
If you want the roasting turkey smell…it will still be there when you reheat the turkey.

Barb ZeeNovember 21, 2017 -

Woody, it’s obvious that you do not cook. There is absolutely nothing wrong with pre-roasting a turkey a day or two before serving.It’s not “leftovers”. If what Catherine said makes you feel somehow “unsafe”, perhaps you should refrain from making the type af comment you made.

WoodyNovember 18, 2017 -

I think it’s rude to serve reheated chicken broth turkey to unsuspecting guests

CatherineNovember 19, 2017 -

Woody, you’re more than welcome to come to my house on Thanksgiving day and cook the turkey for us while simultaneously competing with my family members for oven space for the rolls…the pies…the random appetizers someone wants to “throw in the oven for 15 minutes…” etc. Oh, not to mention having four people in your kitchen using the oven, stove, microwave, and two Crock Pots while you’re in charge of making sure your turkey is done and perfectly timed — so as not to seem “rude” to people who should already know you well enough to permit you this one indulgence to simplify your own life.

I think I can live with being considered rude ONE day out of the year. Others may have to live with that personality flaw more often.

WoodyNovember 20, 2017 -

Catherine – your comments make me feel extremely uncomfortable and unsafe. I only ask that you Alert your guests they’re being surved day old ,warmed over turkey.

laura mcloughlinNovember 21, 2017 -

While Thanksgiving is promoted as a”food” day, it’s really about spending time with family and friends. My family and friends would be happy to eat whatever I served for the chance to spend the day together!

AjNovember 22, 2017 -

Woody
I think you have forgotten the reason for the day. Geez, let go of the little stuff.

DWNovember 22, 2017 -

Woody, I hope you are trolling, because you come off as a complete pus*y!

LindaNovember 23, 2018 -

Woody, you need to relax. Thanksgiving is a time to enjoy friends and family. The food is just a nice plus.

dbrennerOctober 17, 2016 -

best idea for stress free holidays

Jone SeeNovember 15, 2014 -

what do people think of baking the turkey the day before?

melDecember 24, 2014 -

Works like a charm. MY mother roasted and carved her turkey the day before christmas, and now I do it. Reduces your stress on the big day and leaves your oven free for other items. The best cooking

Turkey Time! - natickblogNovember 19, 2013 -

[…] Thanksgiving and then reheat it? Turkey is always best served the day it is roasted. However,if you need to cook it ahead, carve the roasted turkey into thick slices, arrange in a shallow baking dish and refrigerate. When […]