Making turkey the day before?

[sksjasams]

I remember a thread before Thanksgiving, but now of course, I can't find it. Does anyone remember that thread? I can't even remember if it was on this board, family or budget...

Anyhow...

Several people wrote about making turkey the day before the holiday, in order to ease the burden on the big day. Some said they made a turkey breast the day of, just to give that turkey smell to the house.

I am thinking about trying something like that this year. But, I need to know how those of you that do this, reheat the turkey on the holiday in order to serve it. I can't imagine microwaving a whole container of sliced turkey without drying it out. I also don't want to soak it in gravy...

Please advise! Thank you for your help!

 

[Pigeon]

My MIL did this once and it was awful. It's basically having leftovers for the holiday meal.

 

[Mickeypooh99]

I don't think making the Turkey is that hard. It wouldn't really ease the burdon for me. I just use a reynolds roasting bag. It only takes a couple minutes to prepare and then it goes in the oven. DH cuts it up when its done. Not really much trouble. Its all the side dishes that take the time to prepare. I try to do as much of that the day before as I can.

 

[ADisneyQueen]

If you don't care about presenting the whole bird for display - you could try this. I once made a turkey the night before, cut it up and put it in fridge. The next day I put the slices in a crock pot with some water for several hours I think on low. The turkey was moist and good. I did not stuff it.
I had to do it this way b/c it was for my daughter's baptism party and I did not want to deal with carving it and making sure it was done as soon as we got home from church.

 

[TinklednPants]

It is done. If you are going to do it (and I'm not a fan of it), after you carve the bird store it in some chicken stock to retain moisture. Then reheat it in a foil covered roasting pan. It comes out OK. But just OK. As others mentioned....throwing a bird i the oven is not very difficult. Fresh is best.

 

[tasha99]

I don't think making the Turkey is that hard. It wouldn't really ease the burdon for me. I just use a reynolds roasting bag. It only takes a couple minutes to prepare and then it goes in the oven. DH cuts it up when its done. Not really much trouble. Its all the side dishes that take the time to prepare. I try to do as much of that the day before as I can.

This is exactly what I do--side dishes prepared but not baked the night before, and a Reynolds bag. Works great and once the turkey is in the oven, my work is mostly done. All I really make last minute on the big day are the mashed potatoes and gravy.

 

[Bren's Mom]

I've cooked my Thanksgiving turkey numerous times the night before and never have had a problem. I make sure to keep a close eye on the temp and NOT overcook it to begin with. Use a good meat thermometer. I allow it time to rest before carving it. And I keep the slices fairly thick. Refrigerate in plastic ziploc bags. I reheat the meat in the oven the next day in a disposable metal pan tightly covered with foil. It's never been dry.