Make the most of your Thanksgiving leftovers with a tasty creamed turkey recipe! Use your extra turkey and some pantry staples to create a delicious dish thats great on toast or biscuits.
This great recipe for creamed turkey mixes tender leftover meat with a creamy white sauce for a simple, flavorful, and quick meal. Its easy to make and perfect for enjoying leftover holiday turkey in a new way.
And we always have leftovers. This creamed turkey recipe is pure comfort food and one of the easiest ways of repurposing turkey leftovers. And it makes such a delicious meal, whether you serve it on toast or biscuits, over mashed potatoes, or stuff it into sandwiches.
Creamed turkey is a comforting, creamy turkey dish that is a delicious way to use up leftover turkey after the holidays. It has a smooth, velvety gravy made from a roux, milk or cream, and turkey broth that is mixed with bite-size pieces of turkey Served over toast, biscuits, rice or mashed potatoes, creamed turkey is the ultimate hearty comfort food.
In this comprehensive guide, we will cover everything you need to know to make delicious creamed turkey at home.
An Overview of Creamed Turkey
Creamed turkey consists of a creamy white gravy or sauce made with butter, flour, milk or cream, and turkey or chicken broth. The smooth gravy is flavored with spices like onion powder, sage, thyme, salt, and pepper. Chopped cooked turkey is added to the gravy right before serving. The turkey pieces warm through in the velvety sauce without overcooking.
Creamed turkey can be served over:
- Toast or biscuits
- Cooked rice
- Mashed potatoes
- Noodles or pasta
It’s commonly made after holidays as a scrumptious way to repurpose leftover roasted or smoked turkey. But creamed turkey is also delicious made with leftover rotisserie chicken or canned turkey.
Some key tips for nailing delicious creamed turkey include:
- Use a combo of milk and broth for maximum flavor
- Cook the flour and butter first to prevent lumps
- Add turkey at the end to prevent overcooking
- Season the gravy well with spices and herbs
Now let’s get into the nitty gritty of how to make this comforting classic!
Ingredients Needed
Creamed turkey is simple to make with just a few basic ingredients
- 2-3 cups cooked turkey – chopped or shredded
- 2 Tbsp butter
- 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 cup milk – can sub half and half or heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken or turkey broth
- 1⁄4 tsp onion powder
- 1⁄4 tsp garlic powder
- 1⁄4 tsp dried thyme
- Salt and pepper
- Chopped parsley (optional garnish)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps for flawless creamed turkey every time:
Step 1: Melt the Butter
Add 2 Tbsp butter to a medium saucepan over medium heat. Melt completely.
Step 2: Whisk in the Flour
Whisk in 2 Tbsp flour and cook 2 minutes to form a thick roux.
Step 3: Gradually Whisk in Liquid
While whisking, slowly pour in 1 cup each milk and broth. Whisk vigorously to prevent lumps.
Step 4: Simmer the Sauce
Let the sauce simmer, stirring frequently, for 2-3 minutes until thickened.
Step 5: Season the Sauce
Whisk in onion powder, garlic powder, thyme, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
Step 6: Add the Cooked Turkey
Fold in 2-3 cups chopped or shredded turkey until combined and heated through.
Step 7: Simmer Briefly
Simmer just until turkey is warmed through, about 1-2 minutes.
Step 8: Serve Immediately
Remove from heat and serve creamed turkey hot over toast, biscuits, mashed potatoes, or rice. Enjoy!
Variations and Serving Suggestions
Get creative with your creamed turkey! Consider these variations:
- Use half-and-half or heavy cream for an extra rich sauce
- Add diced onion or shallots when cooking the roux
- Stir in frozen peas, carrots, or corn with the turkey
- Use sage, rosemary, or other herbs instead of thyme
- Serve over egg noodles, pasta, or creamy mashed potatoes
- Garnish with chopped green onions or extra parsley
Creamed turkey is delicious on:
- Thick slices of toasted bread
- Split baked biscuits
- Cooked white or brown rice
- Buttery mashed potatoes
- Egg noodles or pasta
Storage
Properly stored, creamed turkey will keep for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
Let leftover creamed turkey cool completely before storing to prevent condensation build up. Transfer to an airtight container.
To reheat, place desired portions in a saucepan over medium-low heat stirring frequently until hot and bubbly. Or reheat individual portions in the microwave.
Freeze leftovers for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
More Delicious Ways to Use up Leftover Turkey
If you have lots of leftover turkey after making creamed turkey, here are some other tasty ways to use it up:
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Turkey Noodle Casserole – turkey, veggies, cream of chicken soup, cheddar cheese, and noodles baked until hot and bubbly
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Creamy Turkey and Rice Soup – turkey, carrots, celery, and rice simmered in creamy broth
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Turkey Pot Pie – turkey baked under a flaky crust with veggies and gravy
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Turketti – spaghetti tossed with turkey in tomato sauce and cheese
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Turkey Enchiladas – turkey rolled up inside tortillas with cheese and sauce
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Turkey Salad Sandwiches – chunky turkey salad on bread or wraps
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Turkey Tetrazzini – spaghetti casserole with turkey, mushrooms, and Parmesan
Creamed Turkey FAQs
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about making creamed turkey:
How can I use up leftover turkey broth in the creamed turkey?
Simply substitute the chicken broth in the recipe for an equal amount of homemade turkey broth. It adds fantastic flavor.
What’s the best way to thicken the creamed turkey gravy?
Cooking a butter and flour roux first before adding the milk and broth helps the gravy thicken nicely without clumping. Just be sure to whisk vigorously.
What’s the best turkey for creamed turkey?
We recommend using a mix of white and dark turkey meat. The dark meat really boosts the flavor. Rotisserie turkey works great too.
Is creamed turkey freezer-friendly?
Yes! Creamed turkeyfreezes well for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Can I prepare creamed turkey ahead of time?
You can make the creamed turkey gravy up to 2 days in advance. Just don’t add the turkey until ready to reheat and serve.
Creamed Turkey is Comfort Food at its Finest
With its velvety smooth gravy and tender chunks of turkey, creamed turkey truly is comfort food at its finest. Follow this easy recipe and tips for creamy, soul-warming creamed turkey any time a turkey craving strikes. Leftover turkey has never tasted so good!
How to make creamed turkey?
- Shred or chop the leftover meat. Set aside
Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
Whisk the flour into the melted butter to form a smooth paste. Cook for 1-2 minutes until it slightly changes color.
Gradually add broth while whisking the roux with a wire whisk to create a creamy sauce.
Simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly, about 10 minutes.
Add cream and seasoning and stir well.
Add shredded meat, stir to combine, and reheat gently.
Add chopped tarragon and adjust the seasoning.
Make the most of more leftovers:
- Add about ¼ – ½ leftover turkey gravy to the sauce.
- Add leftover cooked vegetables like peas, corn, chopped carrots, mushrooms, or chopped green beans. A drained can of mushrooms works great, too.
- Serve the creamy turkey over leftover biscuits, cornbread, dinner rolls, or whatever carbs you have left over, like roast potatoes, mashed potatoes, rice, or noodles. You can also serve it with some cranberry sauce on the side if you still have some.
- Make it cheesy: Add a few tablespoons of freshly grated Parmesan, Cheddar, or another tasty cheese you like (not mozzarella; it’s too plain).
Thickness of the sauce: Let it simmer longer to reduce and thicken if you prefer a thicker sauce. Alternatively, adding a bit more flour while cooking can also help thicken the sauce. If your sauce seems too thick, you can thin it with a bit of extra broth, cream, or milk.
Prepare vegetables correctly: If adding fresh vegetables, ensure theyre cooked to your preferred tenderness before combining them with the turkey and sauce. This prevents any undesirable crunchiness in the final dish.
Use moderate heat and stir continuously to maintain the sauce’s smooth and creamy texture.
Yes. Its a great dish to make in advance for convenience.
Yes, you can substitute dairy milk and butter with non-dairy alternatives. Keep in mind that the flavor and consistency may vary slightly.
Leftovers can typically be refrigerated for 3-4 days when stored in an airtight container.Freeze it: Allow it to cool completely, then store it in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop over low heat, occasionally stirring until heated through. You might need to add a splash of milk or broth to retain the creamy texture.
️How to serve creamed turkey?
Over toast or biscuits: The traditional and classic way to serve creamed turkey is ladled generously over warm, buttered toast or freshly baked buttermilk biscuits. The bread absorbs the creamy sauce.
Over mashed potatoes: Spoon the sauce over creamy mashed potatoes (you can use reheated leftover mashed potatoes).
Stuff it in baked potatoes: Hollow out baked potatoes and fill them with the creamy mixture. Top with cheese or fresh herbs.
Over noodles or pasta such as egg noodles or fettuccine.
Over rice, quinoa, or other grains.
With steamed vegetables such as broccoli, green beans, or carrots.
As a sandwich filling: Pile it between slices of bread or stuff it into a roll or croissant.
Family favorite: Use the creamed turkey as a filling for crepes. Roll the crepes, place them in a casserole dish, sprinkle with grated cheese, and bake until hot and bubbly.
