What to Do If Turkey is Done Early? An Ultimate Guide

Turkey is a favorite meat among Americans due to its delectable flavor, health benefits, and close ties to American culture and history. Today, Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners frequently feature turkey as the main course, which has become a mainstay of the American diet.

But what to do if the turkey is done early? 

If the turkey is prepared before the time, you must keep it moist and tasty until it is time to serve. To maintain warmth, take the turkey out of your oven and wrap it loosely with aluminum foil. After that, cover it with a few towels to keep it warm until guests arrive. Another option could be placing the turkey in the oven until you are ready to carve & serve it; just make sure you are not overcooking the meat.

After cooking, remember to put the turkey to rest for 25-30 minutes. A meat thermometer makes it easier to gauge the turkey’s temperature without cutting it. If your turkey is done early, you do not need to carve it to determine whether it’s still hot. 

Instead, simply insert the thermometer, and you are good to go.

This insightful article will discuss ways to deal with an early-cooked turkey, avoiding these, and other relevant queries regarding this delicious American staple food, so keep reading.

What to Do If Smoked Turkey is Done Too Early?

A whole turkey is a perfect centerpiece for family get-togethers and holiday meals because it can feed many people. However, putting a cold turkey on the table can ruin the festive mood and disappoint your guests. So what to do if smoked turkey Is done too early? Follow these simple tips to win the heart of your family and friends by serving hot turkey meat, even if it has been cooked early.

1. Wrap aluminum foil around the bird to keep it from drying out. To prevent dry turkey, wrap the turkey after 20 minutes of cooking. A kitchen towel should be placed on top of the foil-covered turkey. The towel will keep things toasty.
2. Place the turkey on a warming tray if you have one to keep it warm until it’s time to serve.
3. If you’re worried it might dry out, add broth or gravy to the turkey to keep it moist and tasty.
4. Cut the turkey before serving to get warm pieces of this delicious bird. Slices of turkey will cool off much faster than the whole bird, so wait to cut it until the last minute.
5. Keep it heated at a low temperature in the oven. To keep the turkey warm without further cooking it, set your oven to a low temperature of between 200 and 225 degrees Fahrenheit.

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What Could Have Caused My Turkey to Be Done Early & Ways to Avoid It?

Your turkey may cook more quickly than anticipated if you prepare it at a temperature that is higher than recommended. Adhering to the suggested cooking temperature is crucial for your turkey to cook evenly and fully. USDA advises using a minimum temperature of 325 degrees Fahrenheit when cooking meat and poultry. Turkey’s internal temperature must be 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Additionally, your turkey’s size can influence how long it takes to cook. It can cook more quickly than you think if your turkey is smaller than what the recipe calls for.

Due to the fan that circulates the hot air in a convection oven, the turkey may cook more quickly than in a standard oven. A turkey’s cooking time may vary depending on the method used to prepare it, such as deep-frying or smoking. To guarantee that you are preparing your holiday turkey safely, it’s crucial to adhere to the directions for your particular cooking method.

Ways to Avoid Cooking Turkey Early

Graphics Credit: Robustalive.com

You can deal with this issue by setting a timer and combining your preparation and cooking time. If you focus on preparing your turkey, you won’t rush to start cooking before the right time. Follow these tips to avoid cooking your turkey early.

• Plan Cooking Time:

Prepare in advance and determine the cooking time based on the turkey’s weight. Then, give the turkey enough time to cook, rest, and be carved.

• Calculate the Cooking Period:

The cooking chart below determines the cooking period based on the turkey’s weight. Then, try cooking according to that time to avoid cooking long before serving.

• Let the Turkey Rest at Room Temperature: 

The turkey should reach room temperature for about an hour before cooking. After that, it cooks more evenly; you must wait before cooking.

• Keep The Oven Door Closed:

Avoid opening the oven door too frequently because doing so can change the temperature and shorten cooking times. Aim to limit the number of times the oven door is opened.

• Track Cooking Time:

To keep track of cooking time, use a timer. It will help you to start and finish cooking at the perfect time.

What Is The Minimum Time to Cook Turkey?

A perfectly cooked turkey makes the host happy & also allows guests to savor this delicious cooked bird. You need to know the correct duration to perfectly cook the turkey meat.

Remembering that a stuffed turkey will cook more slowly than an unstuffed turkey is also crucial. Always check the turkey’s internal temperature with a meat thermometer to be assured that it has reached at least 165°F (74°C) before serving.

Please note that these cooking durations are only estimates and could change based on the oven’s temperature, kind, and thickness, among other things. 

How To Tell A If A Turkey Is Cooked or Uncooked?

You can easily tell whether a turkey has been cooked perfectly or not by twisting the leg. If you twist the leg, the meat should be tender. Likewise, if you insert a long-tinted fork into a thick muscle, it should feel sensitive. Another point is the juice should not have a pink tint.

Visual signals can show when a turkey is thoroughly cooked, including:

1. The turkey should not have pink or crimson juices; they should be clear.
2. The meat shouldn’t be red or pink but firm. The outside of a well-cooked turkey should be a light golden brown.

Try to use a meat thermometer to confirm that the turkey is thoroughly cooked and suitable for consumption, as these visual indications are not always accurate. Use the thermometer and follow these steps:

• Step 1: Insert a thermometer into the thickest section of the turkey without contacting any bones.
• Step 2: Verify the turkey’s temperature. The thickest region of the turkey, which includes the deepest part of the thigh, wing, and breast, should register a temperature of at least 165°F (74°C).
• Step 3: Continue cooking the turkey and recheck the temperature in 15 – 20 minutes if it is below 165°F (74°C). Do this until the turkey achieves the 165°F (74°C) safe internal temperature.

How to Keep A Turkey Warm?

Simply adhere to the guidelines in the “What to do if the smoked turkey is done early.” You can also put the turkey in your oven’s warming drawer to keep it warm if it has one. Be sure to tent it once more with foil to prevent drying out.

You can place your turkey in a cooler to keep it warm & fresh. Yes, you read it right “cooler.” One of the most common methods for letting a turkey stay warm is to fill a cooler with hot water, which you remove after some time. The turkey should be placed in the cooler, lined with clean towels, and covered with aluminum foil until ready to carve it.

Can I Leave Turkey in The Oven After Cooking?

USDA recommended keeping the turkey warm in an oven covered with foil once the bird’s internal temperature reaches 165 °F, as determined by a food thermometer.

What to Do If Turkey Is Done 1, 2, or 3 Hours Early?

If your turkey is done far in advance of the scheduled meal, avoid becoming concerned. These guidelines can help you keep your turkey as warm as possible. If you keep a fully cooked turkey at a safe internal temperature of 140 °F or above for a few hours, its quality will be ruined.

Why is My Turkey Taking Too Long to Cook?

Many reasons, including temperature, oven, and turkey size, could keep the visitors waiting while your turkey is still undercooked.

• Usually, a low cooking temperature is to blame when a turkey takes an excessively long time to cook. Check to see if it helps by slightly raising it. 
• Instead of cooking the turkey whole, you might cut it into smaller pieces to cook it more quickly.
• It might take longer to cook a turkey if it is partially or completely frozen. Therefore, before cooking the turkey, make sure it has completely defrosted.
• The turkey’s cooking time may be impacted if fewer items are in the oven simultaneously. Make an effort to provide adequate space around the turkey so that air can flow.
• The temperature can drop if the oven door is opened repeatedly to check on the turkey; this will lengthen the cooking time. Therefore, avoid opening the oven door unless necessary.

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What to Do If Turkey is Cooked Faster Than Expected?

Always remember that an earlier-cooked turkey is preferable to an undercooked one. These suggestions will help you serve a juicy and tasty turkey even if it cooks quicker than anticipated.

If your turkey cooks more quickly than you expected, take it out of the oven and give it 20 to 25 minutes to rest before carving. The transfer of the liquids ensures that the meat maintains its moisture.

Some drippings may have disappeared if the turkey had cooked more quickly than anticipated. To give the turkey moisture, make gravy using the drippings.

Serve the turkey with a sauce or condiment that will provide moisture. If you don’t have enough drippings to make, gravy try gravy made from chicken or vegetable stock.

Can I Cook My Turkey Early and Reheat It?

Yes, you can cook your turkey early and reheat it before serving. However, it’s crucial to remember that reheating a turkey leads to dry and overdone meat. Cooking the turkey as near to serving time as possible will help you avoid this.

• Place the turkey in a preheated oven set to 325°F for 15 to 20 minutes per pound to reheat.
• To prevent the turkey from drying out when reheating, add some chicken or turkey stock to the bottom of the pan. Olive oil or melted butter can also be used to baste the turkey.
• It can be warmed on the stovetop or in the microwave, but you must constantly stir it to ensure uniform cooking.

All leftovers must be properly stored within two hours of cooking and reheated to a minimum temperature of 165°F as part of the food safety procedure.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• Can I Stop Cooking Turkey And Start Again?

It is not advised to halt the cooking of a turkey in the middle and resume it afterward. This is because stopping the cooking process can raise the danger of bacterial growth, which can cause a foodborne illness. However, it is advisable to complete cooking the turkey before taking a break if you must take one during preparation. Then, reheat the turkey when you are ready to cut it and serve. 

• How Do You Fix A Fully Cooked Turkey?

Fixing a cooked turkey can be a little bit tricky. First, you must address the issue smartly without spoiling the entire turkey. For instance, if your turkey is dry, tough, or overcooked, slice it thinly and serve it with sauce or gravy to make it juicy and moist. If your turkey is undercooked, cook it until it is done cooking from inside. In cases where a turkey is unevenly cooked, you can slice the cooked portion of the turkey and start cooking the remaining uncooked part in the oven until it’s cooked thoroughly.

• How Long to Rest Turkey after Cooking?

Depending on the size of the bird, resting should last at least 20 minutes. The resting time can increase because of the temperature of the room. A large bird may need to wait up to 40 minutes or longer.

• Can Dry Turkey Be Saved?

You can save your dry turkey and turn it into a moist one. Dry turkey needs more moisture to be moist and soft. So, try adding a few tablespoons of melted butter and chicken broth over the turkey slices. You can also use a brush to put the broth, butter, or gravy.

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Bottom Line

You are not alone if you find cooking a turkey a daunting task. However, the tips and techniques mentioned in this article will surely make your turkey cooking journey more enjoyable. Furthermore, if any issue arises while preparing your turkey for the festive season, now you know how to handle it. So, next time when you cook turkey and this question pops up in your mind, what to do if the turkey is done early, do not lose your calm; simply take the necessary steps to resolve it.