No matter how many people you invite over for Thanksgiving, there is always leftover turkey. To some this is a burden; to others, it's an opportunity. Leftover turkey is an incredibly versatile ingredient, and, when you have a few pounds of it in your fridge, the possibilities are endless.
Whether you're throwing it on a sandwich or jazzing it up with various sauces, turkey goes with all kinds of flavors. These recipes can help you re-use turkey with great results every time.
Thanksgiving Sandwich
Ingredients You Will Need:
4 slices good whole wheat bread
2 tablespoons butter, softened
½ pound leftover turkey meat, shredded
½ cup leftover cranberry sauce
1 cup leftover stuffing
½ cup leftover gravy
Lay the slices side by side, and butter the tops of each one. Flip two of the slices over, and layer on the turkey, cranberry sauce and stuffing as neatly and evenly as possible. Top with the other slices butter side up. Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat, and put in the sandwiches. Once they are brown and golden on the bottom, flip them over and let them cook on the other side. Put the gravy in the microwave for about a minute, or until it reaches your desired temperature. When the other sides of the sandwiches are golden, remove them from the pan and cut them in half from corner to corner, forming two triangles each. Serve with the gravy on the side for dipping.
Turkey "Steaks" With Red Wine Cream Sauce
Ingredients You Will Need:
4 leftover turkey breast slices, each about an inch thick
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 shallot, finely minced
¼ cup red wine
½ cup chicken stock
¼ cup cream
5 sprigs parsley, leaves removed and roughly chopped
Season the turkey steaks with the salt and pepper, being careful not to over salt because they've already been seasoned once. Heat the olive oil over high heat, and add the turkey. Since it's already fully cooked, you only want to brown it on both sides. Once both sides are golden, about two minutes per side, remove the breasts, and turn the heat down to medium. Add the shallot, and let it sauté for a few moments. Add the wine and stir as it evaporates, scraping up any bits that are stuck to the bottom of the pan. Once the red wine has reduced to a thick syrup, add the chicken stock. Continue to simmer until the chicken stock has reduced by half and add the cream. Simmer for a few more minutes until you have a thick sauce. Stir in the parsley, and pour over the steaks.
Leftover Turkey Ragu
Ingredients You Will Need:
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound leftover turkey meat, shredded
½ cup red wine
1 16-ounce can crushed tomatoes
4 sprigs thyme
1 bay leaf
½ bunch basil, leaves removed and roughly chopped
Heat up the oil in a pot over medium heat. Add the onion, and sauté until they begin to brown, about five minutes. Add the garlic, and sauté for a few more minutes. Add the turkey, and continue to cook until it starts to get some color. You don't want to cook it too long or it will dry out. Add the wine, and scrape up any bits that are stuck to the bottom. Once the wine is almost completely evaporated, add the tomatoes with their juice, along with the thyme and bay leaf. Simmer, uncovered, until it thickens into a sauce, about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove the thyme stems and bay leaf, and stir in the basil. Serve over pasta.
 | If you're strapped for time, you can still create some weeknight turkey breast recipes that won't take hours to prepare. You can easily put together a small turkey breast dish right after a long day at the office. |
 | Turkey meatballs recipes are perfect alternatives to other meatball recipes filled with red meat. The turkey is much leaner, and using turkey will help you cut back on some unwanted calories. |
 | Don't be discouraged when it comes to cooking turkey-there are plenty of easy turkey recipes out there. Remember, it doesn't have to be Thanksgiving for you and your family to enjoy turkey. |
When you are making stuffing for turkey, you are accomplishing two tasks at once: You are seasoning the turkey, and you are making a wonderful side dish. You can stick with the classic ingredients, or you can also go gourmet. |
Smoked turkey recipes can be made in the oven or in a crock pot. Make sure to have liquid smoke on hand, as it'll prove to be the key to any good smoked turkey recipe. |
