The Easiest Way to Shred Turkey for Delicious Meals

Shredded turkey is a versatile ingredient that can be used in all sorts of delicious recipes. From soups and salads to casseroles and sandwiches having shredded turkey on hand makes it easy to throw together a tasty meal without much effort. But getting raw turkey shredded can be a challenge without the right tools. Don’t worry – with just a few simple tips you’ll be shredding turkey like a pro in no time!

Why Shred Your Own Turkey?

There are a few reasons why you may want to shred your own turkey rather than buying pre-shredded turkey from the store

• Cost savings: Shredding turkey yourself is much cheaper than buying pre-shredded turkey, which is often double the price per pound.

• Avoid additives: Pre-shredded turkey often contains extra sodium, preservatives, and other additives to help maintain moisture. Shredding it yourself allows you to control exactly what goes into your food.

• Customize texture: You can shred the turkey to the size you prefer – small shreds for chicken salad, larger chunks for soups and chilis. With store-bought shredded turkey, you get a one-size-fits-all texture.

• Use up leftovers: Have leftover roast turkey from a holiday meal or a whole rotisserie chicken? Shred those leftovers for easy meal prep.

Equipment to Make Turkey Shredding Easy

Shredding turkey by hand with just two forks can be tedious and time-consuming. To make the job faster and easier, having the right equipment is key. Here are the best tools for shredding turkey with ease:

• Electric mixer: An electric hand mixer or stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment makes quick work of shredding. The paddles grab and pull the meat apart as the mixer runs.

• Food processor: The slicing blade of a food processor shreds turkey in seconds. Just avoid over-processing it into a mush.

• Meat claws: These special shredding claws act as extensions of your hands to tear turkey into shreds easily.

• Stand mixer attachment: A specific meat shredder attachment for stand mixers uses counter-rotating blades to shred.

• Forks: In a pinch, two forks can get the job done. Shred using one to hold the turkey and the other to scrape and tear it apart. But it takes time and elbow grease.

How to Shred Turkey Using an Electric Mixer

An electric mixer is by far the fastest and easiest way to shred turkey. Here’s a simple step-by-step method:

Prep the Turkey

• Start with cooked, boneless turkey meat – ideally chilled for easier shredding. Leftover roast turkey and rotisserie chicken both work great.

• Cut the turkey into 1-2 inch chunks. This makes it easier for the mixer to grab and shred the pieces.

Shred with a Mixer

• Place the turkey chunks in a large mixing bowl.

• Attach the paddle attachment to your stand mixer or hand mixer.

• Start mixing at low speed to prevent splattering. Once the turkey starts shredding, increase to medium speed.

• Mix just until the turkey reaches the texture you want. Avoid over-mixing into mush.

• For larger batches, shred in smaller batches to avoid straining the mixer.

Store and Use Shredded Turkey

• For best flavor and moisture, use the shredded turkey right away.

• Otherwise, store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4-5 days.

• To freeze, portion into freezer bags or containers, removing as much air as possible. It will keep for 2-3 months.

• Use shredded turkey in casseroles, soups, salads, sandwiches, stuffed peppers, and more. The possibilities are endless!

With an electric mixer and a few minutes, you can transform a whole cooked turkey or leftover turkey into the basis for easy, delicious meals all week long. Once you discover how simple it is to shred turkey at home, you’ll never buy the pre-shredded kind again!

Common Questions About Shredding Turkey

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about shredding turkey:

What’s the best turkey to shred?

The best turkey to shred is fully cooked, boneless turkey. This allows you to get uniform shreds without having to remove bones or cook the turkey first. Roast turkey, rotisserie chicken, boneless turkey breast cutlets, and boneless turkey thighs all work great.

Can you shred an uncooked turkey?

It’s best to only shred fully cooked turkey. Shredding raw turkey would be difficult and result in uneven cooking later when you use the shredded meat in recipes. Always shred cooked turkey.

How long does shredded turkey last?

Properly stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, shredded turkey will last for 4-5 days. To extend the shelf life, freeze shredded turkey for 2-3 months.

How do you reheat shredded turkey?

To reheat shredded turkey, add it to soups, casseroles, pasta sauces and other dishes where it can be heated through gently and evenly. You can also reheat in the microwave in 30 second intervals just until warmed through. Avoid overheating which can dry out the turkey.

Can you shred turkey in a blender?

Don’t shred turkey in a regular blender as the blender blades can over-process it into a mushy puree. Use a food processor for best shredding results if you don’t have a mixer. The slicing blade yields nice even shreds.

Simple & Delicious Ways to Use Shredded Turkey

Here are just a few of the many ways you can use shredded turkey in meals and snacks:

• Turkey salad sandwiches – Toss with mayo, celery, cranberries, lemon juice, salt and pepper for a tasty sandwich filling.

• Turkey tortilla soup – Simmer the shredded turkey in broth with sautéed aromatics, beans, corn and spices.

• BBQ turkey pizza – Top pizza crust with turkey, barbecue sauce, red onion and cheddar cheese.

• Turkey casserole – Make a creamy casserole by baking shredded turkey with mushrooms, veggies and an herb sauce.

• Turkey stuffed peppers – Mix turkey with cooked rice, cheese, beans and seasonings to stuff bell peppers.

• Turkey burrito bowls – Build a burrito in a bowl with spiced turkey, peppers, onions, beans, rice, avocado, cheese and more.

• Turkey enchiladas – Stuff tortillas with shredded turkey and Monterey Jack cheese, then smother in red enchilada sauce.

• Asian turkey lettuce wraps – Sauté turkey with ginger, garlic, soy sauce and veggies for tasty lettuce wrap filling.

With shredded turkey on hand, you’ll be surprised by how many quick, healthy meals you can create using this versatile ingredient. It’s one of the most budget-friendly and delicious proteins to bulk up soups, salads, tacos, casseroles and more. Give shredding your own turkey a try – your tastebuds will thank you!