Genius potato, turkey and stuffing layered leftovers recipe is so tasty, no one would ever guess that the dish uses leftovers! Be sure to make extra everything on Thanksgiving!
FREE ADVICE: You’d better make double the normal amount of mashed potatoes you usually make for Thanksgiving, this year.
You’ll understand why, when you look at the photos of the new recipe I’ve developed especially for the Idaho® Potato Commision*. This creation transforms your leftovers into something spectacular! Will your guests still be around the next few days after the holiday? They may not want to leave after they try this dish!
The mashed potatoes in this dish are especially light and fluffy (thanks to the added eggs), and there’s a layer of juicy turkey pieces, covered with more mashed potatoes and topped with a crunchy layer of stuffing! What’s not to like? It’s sort of like a Thanksgiving lasagna, without the pasta!
Serve some green beans and cranberry sauce alongside a slice of this dish, with a generous pour of turkey gravy, and no one will recall that this fabulously tasty meal is completely made from leftovers! Of course you could always make turkey (I used a breast), mashed potatoes and fresh stuffing and make this dish without using leftovers.
Vegetarian? Swap out the turkey for your favorite turkey substitute or chop up the green beans and have a green bean layer, instead. The possibilities are endless!
Here’s the best part (besides the flavor): there’s really no “cooking” involved, as it’s mostly just assembling the dish! I think it’s a genius recipe–even if I do say so myself! 😉 (Wink, wink!)
Stuffing a turkey with potatoes is a time-honored Thanksgiving tradition for many families. The potatoes add wonderful flavor and moisture to the turkey meat while cooking inside the cavity. But is it safe to stuff poultry with spuds? Are there any risks or special considerations? In this comprehensive guide we’ll explore everything you need to know about potato-stuffed turkey.
An Overview of Potato Stuffing for Turkey
Using the turkey cavity to cook a starchy side dish like potatoes has been common practice for generations. Taking advantage of the space not only makes the meal more efficient but also allows the potatoes to baste the bird from the inside out. The turkey juices infuse the spuds with additional flavor When done properly, a potato-stuffed turkey offers the best of both worlds – moist, well-seasoned meat and perfect side dish all in one
Benefits of Stuffing Turkey with Potatoes
There are several key benefits to filling your holiday bird with potatoes:
- Adds moisture to keep the turkey tender and juicy
- Allows potatoes to absorb all the delicious turkey flavors
- Cooks the potato side dish right inside the turkey
- Saves oven space by using just one pan
- Feeds a crowd when stuffing a large turkey
- Provides a cool twist on tradition loved by many
With so many positives, it’s no wonder cooks have been stuffing turkeys with potatoes for ages. It transforms the turkey into a complete meal.
Choosing the Best Potatoes for Stuffing
When selecting spuds for stuffing, go with firmer, drier varieties that hold their shape well during roasting. Some top options include:
- Russet – Fluffy texture; high starch absorbs juices
- Yukon Gold – Rich flavor; creamy and doesn’t get too soft
- Red Potatoes – Firm, waxy flesh; add color
- Fingerlings – Cute shape; dense and buttery
Avoid using mushy or extra moist potatoes like new potatoes. Peel potatoes if desired and cut into 1-inch chunks before stuffing. This allows them to cook through evenly.
Seasoning Your Potato Stuffing
One great thing about stuffing with potatoes is they readily soak up any flavors you add. Consider these tasty options:
- Herbs – rosemary, thyme, sage, parsley
- Spices – salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder
- Aromatics – onions, garlic, celery, carrots
- Citrus – lemon, lime, orange wedges
- Chicken broth or stock
- Butter, olive oil, or rendered turkey fat
- Poultry seasoning blend
- Fresh cranberries, raisins, or dried fruit
Get creative mixing and matching to create your own signature blend. Potatoes pair well with both savory and sweet ingredients.
Should You Parboil the Potatoes First?
Some cooks choose to parboil potatoes for 5-7 minutes before stuffing them in the turkey. This shortens the overall roasting time a bit and helps ensure the potatoes cook through. It also removes excess starch for a fluffier consistency.
Parboiling is optional, but can help if your turkey will cook for a prolonged period. Just drain potatoes well and allow to dry slightly before stuffing so they don’t make the cavity too moist.
Turkey Stuffing Tips for the Best Results
Follow these handy tips when filling your holiday bird with spuds:
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Don’t overstuff. Leave room for air circulation inside cavity.
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Truss legs together with kitchen string to contain stuffing.
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Elevate turkey on a rack in pan for even cooking.
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Add broth or water to the bottom of the pan to prevent drier heat.
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Use a meat thermometer to monitor temperature. Cook until 165°F in thickest part of breast and stuffing.
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Baste turkey with pan juices during roasting for extra moisture and flavor.
Sweet Potato Stuffing
For a fun twist, use sweet potatoes. Their natural sugars caramelize giving a delicious maple-like flavor. Cook them with brown sugar, pecans, cinnamon, ginger, and/or nutmeg. Keep an eye on roasting time as the sugars may burn if cooking too long.
Alternative Stuffing Ideas Beyond Potatoes
Don’t limit yourself to just potatoes. Consider these other tasty items for stuffing:
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Bread stuffing – The classic! Cubed bread, onion, celery, broth.
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Cooked rice – White or brown rice and rice pilaf mixes work well.
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Pasta – Small shells, rigatoni, or orzo.
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Vegetables – Use diced carrots, parsnips, turnips, squash.
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Fruit – Apples, cranberries, raisins, apricots.
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Nuts – Chopped pecans, walnuts, chestnuts, hazelnuts.
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Grains – Stuff with farro, quinoa, barley, wheat berries.
Mix and match ingredients for personalized combinations. Ensure proper cook times for each.
Safely Cooking a Potato-Stuffed Turkey
Proper food safety is crucial when cooking stuffed poultry. Follow these guidelines:
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Use an instant-read thermometer to monitor temperature. Cook turkey until 165°F is reached in the thickest part of the breast as well as the center of the stuffing.
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Do not stuff turkey in advance. Stuff just before roasting.
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Roast turkey immediately after stuffing. Do not allow the stuffed bird to sit at room temp for extended periods.
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Refrigerate all leftovers within 2 hours. Reheat thoroughly to 165°F before serving again.
Carving and Serving the Turkey
Once your masterpiece turkey is ready, it’s go time! Follow these tips:
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Let turkey rest 15-20 minutes before carving for juicier meat.
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Place turkey breast-side up on cutting board. Make one long slice down each side of breastbone to remove halves.
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Cut breast meat crosswise into thin slices.
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Separate drumsticks and thighs if desired.
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Arrange pieces on a platter with stuffing spooned over top. Garnish with fresh herbs.
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Offer classic sides like mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, and veggies.
Your potato-stuffed turkey is sure to be a memorable holiday centerpiece. The infused flavors take this traditional dish to the next level of deliciousness!
Enjoying Leftovers
A stuffed turkey provides the gift of leftovers for days. Here are some tasty ways to use them up:
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Sandwiches with turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce
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Hearty turkey pot pie or casserole
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Turkey tetrazzini over egg noodles
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Turkey soup loaded with veggies
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Flatbread pizza with turkey and stuffing
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Turkey hash or omelet for breakfast
With so many options, you can gobble up turkey leftovers creatively for a week or more! Just remember to reheat fully when serving any leftovers.
Filling the cavity with potatoes is a cherished way to add moisture, flavor, and convenience to your holiday turkey. With proper potato selection, seasoning, cooking method, and safety tips, you can continue this time-honored tradition for years to come. From the first succulent bite, your guests will be begging for seconds of this marvelous main course and its incredible array of side dishes. Here’s wishing you a very happy and delicious holiday meal!
Genius Potato, Turkey and Stuffing Layered Leftovers
recipe by Christina Conte serves 6
FULL PRINTABLE RECIPE BELOW
- leftover mashed potatoes, about 4 cups (use Idaho® Potatoes for best results)
- eggs
- pat of butter
- breadcrumbs (omit for gluten-free)
- leftover turkey, sliced, and/or chopped into bite sized pieces
- leftover stuffing, about 2 cups, crumbled (for gluten-free version, use a gluten-free stuffing)
Preheat oven to 350º F (175º C)
Butter an ovenproof dish and sprinkle the bottom with some breadcrumbs; set aside.
Prepare the potatoes by adding 2 eggs, one at a time, and mixing well, before adding the second
Spread half of the potatoes into the breadcrumb sprinkled dish.
Next, layer turkey pieces all over the top of the mashed potatoes.
Spread the remaining mashed potatoes on top of the turkey layer, and top with a generous amount of leftover stuffing, so that the potatoes are completely covered.
Press down a little with a fork.
Cover with aluminum foil (I rubbed a little olive oil on the inside of the foil, so it wouldn’t stick to the dressing) and bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes.
Remove foil, and continue to bake for another 10 to 15 minutes or until the stuffing begins to get crispy and golden brown.
Remove from oven and allow to cool for five minutes before serving your genius potato, turkey and stuffing layered leftovers dish.
This is a perfect meal when served with turkey gravy, cranberry sauce, green beans and/or any other traditional Thanksgiving side dishes.
Here’s another great idea: make individual servings of potato, turkey and stuffing layered leftovers in ramekins!
I received compensation from Idaho® Potato Commission to create this recipe.
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How to Make Easy Beginner’s Turkey with Stuffing | Thanksgiving Recipes | Allrecipes.com
FAQ
Can you put potatoes in turkey?
Potatoes only take 4-6 minutes so I usually do them after the turkey is finished. But you CAN cook them right in with the turkey. Like this: put the potatoes in a steamer basket if it will fit in on top or beside the turkey. If not, make a tin foil boat to hold the potatoes and fit them in wherever you can.
What’s the best thing to stuff a turkey with?
You can make stuffing with bread or rice or matzoh or vegetables, you can flavor it with sausage, or fresh or smoked oysters, or clams, or turkey giblets, or cranberries or apples or other fruit, or candied or dried fruit, or you can stuff the turkey with a duck that is stuffed with a smaller animal.
What not to do when cooking turkey?
- Overstuffing the turkey! This prevents heat from getting through to the center of the bird, meaning you often undercook the inside.
- Not tying the legs together.
- Setting the oven temp too high!
Can you put mashed potatoes in stuffing?
Fold into the mashed potatoes along with the savory, and allow to cool until just warm. Place the cooled mashed potatoes into a large bowl, and stir in the beaten egg. Gently fold in cubed bread, then season to taste with salt and pepper. Refrigerate until ready to use.