7 unique ways to use turkey leftovers to make tasty meals
Christmas means different things to different people, but for the majority, it is about spending quality time with the people you love and indulging in lots of delicious food. Whether it is just the three of us or more, I always cook way too much, and we have a tonne of turkey leftovers. It can sometimes feel like we eat nothing but turkey for days.
So what happens to all the leftover turkey when the big day is over? It’s a waste just to throw it away, so why not get creative and try something new, healthy, and satisfying instead of throwing the leftovers away or eating an endless amount of turkey sandwiches and roast dinners?
In this blog post, I’ll share some easy and quick ideas to transform your Christmas turkey leftovers into new and exciting dishes.
Turkey and Vegetable Stir-Fry
Turkey stir-fry is quick and simple, and it tastes great. It is the perfect meal to make on those days when you do not want to spend much time in the kitchen. Sauté leftover turkey with a variety of vegetables.
You can use any vegetables you want, but peppers, baby corn, mushrooms, broccoli, and peas tend to work well. Make a quick but tasty stir-fry sauce with soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and honey for sweetness. Serve with brown rice, cauliflower rice, or egg noodles.
Turkey and Spinach Quiche
Turn your Christmas turkey into a turkey and spinach quiche. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or as party food if you’re entertaining or being entertained over the Christmas period.
Combine turkey, fresh spinach, and a mixture of eggs and milk, then pour it into a pie crust. – you can make your own or use shop-bought if you’re short on time or want to make something delicious without putting in much effort. Bake until golden brown, and serve when desired.
Turkey and Wild Rice Soup
A warm and hearty turkey and wild rice soup is an excellent choice for leftovers. Combine shredded turkey with vegetables, wild rice, and a broth. Season with herbs and spices to taste, and you’ll have a comforting bowl of soup that’s both nutritious and satisfying.
Turkey and Cranberry Salad
For a light and refreshing bite, use some turkey leftovers with fresh greens, dried cranberries, and chopped nuts to make a tasty turkey and cranberry salad. Drizzle with a light vinaigrette dressing.
Turkey Wraps
Make tasty and filling turkey wraps for a quick lunch. For a healthy twist, use whole wheat tortillas with lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, onions, and peppers, and your choice of sauce – mayo or cranberry sauce would be perfect.
Turkey and Black Bean Chilli
Combine turkey leftovers, black beans, tomatoes, and a blend of chilli spices in a pot to make a turkey and black bean chilli. Let it simmer until all the flavours meld together. Top it with a dollop of Greek yoghurt if desired, and some chopped green onions for a hearty, low-fat meal. Serve with rice.
Turkey and Vegetable Frittata
A turkey and vegetable frittata makes for a quick and easy, versatile, anytime meal. Quick fry a mix of vegetables, for example, onions, peppers, mushrooms, broccoli, and slices of turkey, in a frying pan. Once these have cooked, pour in a beaten egg mixture – 1 or 2 eggs is enough for one person and cook it until it sets. This dish is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a quick dinner.
With these ideas, you can make the most of your Christmas turkey leftovers in several healthy and delicious ways, and there’s not a turkey sandwich or roast dinner in sight.