Thanksgiving and Christmas are about family, friends, and food. And as the centerpiece of many holiday feasts, the turkey is a crucial element of the meal.
However, cooking a turkey can be challenging for even the most experienced home cooks. I have overcooked a few in my time! I know how disappointing and frustrating it is when you've put in so much effort to prepare a delicious holiday meal.
When a turkey is cooked too long, the meat can become dry and tough, making it difficult to enjoy. Additionally, overcooked turkey can be less flavorful, as the heat can cause the natural juices to evaporate. Today, I want to share my top tip for how to save an overcooked turkey and sitting down to a great meal with your family and friends.
Buy extra broth/stock
When cooking a holiday feast, broth or stock is your best friend!! That and a bit of butter!
If you can find it, turkey broth is the best option, followed by chicken and vegetable broth/stock.
It doesn't have to be a carton; you can prepare some using a chicken or turkey bouillon base like "Better than Bouillon."
Using broth to moisten the turkey
If your turkey breast meat is overcooked, first things first if you drink, pour a glass of wine (or your drink of choice) and remember that everyone is there to celebrate the holidays, and that is all about family and friends. So take some deep breaths and move on. You can't go back and cook it less, but you can make it taste good.
Slice the turkey breast and lay it into a roasting dish. Drizzle over 2 tablespoons of melted butter, and then take your broth/stock and pour it over the slices.
How much broth you need depends on the size of your turkey and how overcooked it is! But I work on around 1-1½ cup per breast, so 2-3 cups per whole turkey.
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and seal the edges well. Then place in the oven at 200ºF/90ºC for 15 minutes. The turkey will soak up the broth/stock.
Next, pull the meat from your turkey legs. Usually, if the breast is overcooked, the legs are perfectly cooked!
Add the leg meat to another dish, add ¼ cup of broth, seal the dish the same way, and place it in the oven to keep warm.
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Serving your turkey
To serve the sliced turkey, lay the slices onto a serving dish and arrange the leg meat in one corner. Take ¼ cup of your hot gravy and add 2 tablespoons of hot broth, stir to thin the gravy, and then drizzle it all over the slices of turkey.
And if all else fails
Have another drink and eat all your delicious sides. I promise that it is just a hiccup and you'll laugh about it one day.
Enjoy x
If you try this to Save your Dry Turkey, please leave a 🌟star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. I really appreciate it, and it helps others to know that the recipe is trustworthy.
Any questions about the recipe? Use the comments section below.
Get the Recipe
How to save an overcooked turkey
Ingredients
For the turkey breasts
- 1 overcooked whole turkey - breast meat
- 2 tablespoons butter melted
- 2 cups broth turkey, chicken, or vegetable
To serve
- ¼ cup gravy
- 2 tablespoons broth turkey, chicken, or vegetable
Instructions
- Slice the turkey breast and lay it into a roasting dish.1 overcooked whole turkey - breast meat
- Drizzle over the melted butter, then pour over the broth. (see note 1)2 tablespoons butter2 cups broth
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and seal the edges well.
- Place in the oven at 200ºF/90ºC for 15 minutes.
To serve
- Lay the sliced turkey onto a serving dish. (You can arrange the leg meat in one corner.)
- Take ¼ cup of your hot gravy and add 2 tablespoons of hot broth, stir to thin the gravy, then drizzle it all over the slices of turkey.¼ cup gravy2 tablespoons broth
Notes
- If you have an extra large turkey, you may need an extra ½ cup of broth.
- Usually, if the breast is overcooked, the legs are perfectly cooked! To keep them warm while the breast meat soaks:
- Add the leg meat to another roasting dish.
- Add ¼ cup of broth, seal the dish with aluminum foil, and place it in the oven with the sliced breast meat to keep warm.
Nutrition
Nutrition is per serving
Lindsay says
You're a lifesaver! I cooked a turkey breast last night and it was terribly overdone. I followed your directions (especially the part about having a glass of wine 😉) and it really made a huge difference. Hopefully as I learn to cook I will be able to prevent this happening, but if it does I know where to come for answers- thank you!
Claire | Sprinkles and Sprouts says
Cooking turkey is never an easy thing to do. I am so glad I could help!
I bet your sides were amazing!
Thank you for taking the time to come back and comment.
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Randy Ronning says
This is so genius!! I used this method with my leftover turkey and my family liked the leftovers better than the original turkey that I made. Thank you for such a great idea!
Claire | Sprinkles and Sprouts says
Thank you 🙂
It is a great way to keep the sliced meat moist and tasty!
Thanks for taking the time to come back and comment.
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