Easy, comforting, warm, gooey. If these are all YOUR favorite things, too, you’ll LOVE this Keto Turkey Tetrazzini Skillet!.
In a creamy, cheesy sauce, diced turkey, sautéed onions and mushrooms, and herbs add flavor. The dish is then baked until it turns a little golden.
If you have leftover turkey, this is a great keto recipe for using up that Thanksgiving turkey!
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The holidays are a time for enjoying delicious foods and spending quality time with loved ones. However, with all the rich dishes served, it can be challenging to stick to a keto diet. Have no fear – there are many tasty keto-friendly recipes that can be made with turkey leftovers!
Turkey is a nutritious, protein-packed meat that pairs perfectly with high fat and low carb ingredients. Whether you’re looking for simple lunches, cozy casseroles or elegant entrees, this article provides 18 delicious keto turkey leftover recipes to help you stay on track this holiday season.
Why Turkey Leftovers are Ideal for Keto
Turkey is naturally low in carbs and rich in protein. A 3 ounce serving of roasted turkey breast with skin provides around 1 gram of net carbs and 25 grams of protein (1). This macronutrient profile makes turkey an optimal ingredient for keto meal prep.
Turkey leftovers are extremely versatile. They can be incorporated into classic comfort foods like casseroles, soups and sandwiches with a keto twist. Turkey is mild in flavor and pairs well with herbs, spices and rich, savory sauces made with approved higher fat ingredients like cream, cheese and oils.
Having pre-cooked turkey leftovers on hand makes assembling keto meals quick and convenient during the busy holiday season. Rather than defaulting to carb-heavy options when time is limited turkey leftovers can be turned into balanced meals that keep you feeling satisfied while meeting your macronutrient needs.
Keto Turkey Casserole Recipes
Casseroles are classic comfort food. By substituting higher carb ingredients with low carb veggies, herbs and spices, turkey casserole can be a satisfying keto meal. Try these tasty turkey casserole recipes:
Cheesy Turkey and Cauliflower Casserole
This cheesy casserole combines turkey with riced cauliflower, onion, garlic and a creamy cheese sauce. Topped with Parmesan, this is pure comfort food (2).
Turkey Zoodle Casserole
Zucchini noodles provide a low carb base for turkey, mushrooms, spinach and a delicious Alfredo sauce in this one-pan wonder (3).
Cilantro Turkey Casserole
Southwestern flavors like salsa, cilantro, cumin and hot sauce give this hearty casserole recipe a tasty kick (4).
Turkey Enchilada Casserole
All the Tex-Mex flavors of enchiladas are loaded into this easy baked casserole with turkey, beans, enchilada sauce and cheese (5).
Keto Turkey Soup Recipes
Soups make excellent use of turkey leftovers and keep you feeling full and satisfied. Try these delicious keto turkey soup recipes:
Creamy Turkey and Mushroom Soup
This rich, creamy soup features turkey, mushrooms and spinach in a tasty broth (6).
Turkey Sausage Soup
Spicy turkey sausage boosts the flavor of this keto soup filled with cabbage, zucchini and fresh herbs (7).
Green Chile Turkey Soup
Fire-roasted green chiles add a flavorful kick to this Mexican-inspired turkey soup (8).
Turkey Bone Broth Soup
Simmering the turkey carcass makes a mineral-rich bone broth for this classic soup with veggies (9).
Keto Turkey Salad Recipes
Salads are a go-to keto meal, and turkey salads take them to the next level. These recipes add protein and bold flavors:
Turkey Taco Salad
Romaine lettuce is topped with spicy ground turkey, avocado, cheese and pepitas for a Mexican-style salad (10).
Turkey BLT Salad
This salad piles turkey, bacon, tomato, avocado and ranch dressing onto crisp greens for a delicious keto lunch (11).
Turkey Cobb Salad
A classic cobb salad with turkey stands in for the usual chicken in this satisfying low carb recipe (12).
Turkey Greek Salad
Tender turkey combines with cucumbers, olives, feta and a lemony dressing in this Mediterranean salad (13).
More Keto Turkey Recipes
If you still have turkey leftover after testing those recipes, try these tasty ideas:
- Turkey Veggie Scramble with Eggs
- Green Chile Turkey Burgers/Meatballs
- Turkey Salad Lettuce Wraps
- Turkey and Veggie Bake
- Buffalo Turkey Bites
- Turkey Avocado Roll-Ups
- Turkey Stir Fry with Cauliflower Rice
Tips for Reheating Turkey
To enjoy your turkey leftovers to the fullest, keep these reheating tips in mind:
- Refrigerate all leftovers within 2 hours and use within 3-4 days. Freeze any longer term portions.
- Cut turkey into smaller pieces before reheating to help it heat faster.
- Add a bit of moisture while reheating with broth, sauce or even water.
- Cover and reheat slowly in the oven or on the stovetop rather than the microwave.
- Bring soups and casseroles up to 165°F for food safety.
- Avoid reheating more than once to prevent the turkey from drying out.
Stay in Ketosis this Holiday Season
Holidays are centered around food, so with some planning you can still stick to keto goals. Keep your macros on track by building meals around turkey leftovers along with low carb veggies, high fat dairy and healthy fats like olive oil.
These delicious keto turkey leftover recipes help you get back on track after holiday indulgences. They provide satisfying meals that keep cravings at bay while offering a comforting taste of home. Give them a try! Your keto goals are still within reach this holiday season.
Low Carb Turkey Tetrazzini Skillet Recipe
So, what about the keto Turkey Tetrazzini Skillet recipe?
This is probably one of the most accidental recipes I’ve ever posted here. No, really.
“Well, I have this half-chunk of mozzarella, leftover turkey from Thanksgiving (or Easter, or whatever it was), a bunch of parsley that won’t last past tomorrow, and some mushrooms my kids won’t eat anyway…”
And then some Pinterest searching that ended in just making something up. Later, I looked again and saw that there was something called turkey tetrazzini that had the same things plus pasta.
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So there you have it. Now you know my wackadoodle process of creating recipes for my site.
Truth be told, that’s only part of the story. I’m a single mom of 4 kids, going to school full time for my master’s degree.
So, yeah, I really just have to throw things together sometimes and see what sticks. My kids love me. Ha!.
Baked Southwest Stuffed Avocados, Low Carb Leftover Turkey Casserole, and this Crunchy Healthy Turkey Salad are all keto-friendly ways to use up extra turkey. If you want to make it even more keto-friendly, leave out the carrots and red pepper.
However, when I have the time, I work on one recipe for a very long time. That’s usually what makes it into Keen for Keto.
This turkey tetrazzini recipe in a skillet really couldn’t be easier. And instead of finding a replacement for the pasta, I of course just left it out. You won’t miss it. It’s THAT good.
I’m not against keto pasta variations, I just don’t use it much. I love swiching pasta out for spaghetti squash, like in my Keto Spaghetti Squash Alfredo Recipe with Chicken.
Keto Turkey Tetrazzini in a Cast Iron Skillet
One of my favorite things about my cast iron skillet is how heavy it is. Ha! You know I’m kidding.
I love that I can start a meal in the skillet, LEAVE IT IN THE SKATEN, and then finish it in the oven, with the lid on top if I need to!
If that’s not a testament to my laziness, I don’t know what is.
Seriously, though. I LOVE my cast iron skillet. That’s why I asked my designer to use my heavy, clumsy friend in my awesome Keen for Keto logo.
Sometimes I feel like my cast iron love is a little weird. People love abandoned puppies with half of their tails missing, a limp, and some kind of goo coming out of their eyes.
Related: Turkey Leek Soup with Bacon and Broccoli (Instant Pot and stove top instructions)
Instead of being put away in the cabinets, my nice stainless steel pots and pans stay out in the open and get dirty on the stove all day and night.
I can’t help it. That’s what love does to you.
If you want to get your own (no, you can’t have my greasy old lovable pan), here’s a link for my cast iron pan. And you’ll want a lid, too.
BUT, you totally don’t need a cast iron skillet for this low carb turkey tetrazzini recipe.
You can start it in any old skillet, pour into a baking dish, and bake it that way. Congrats for not being as lazy as me.
Low Carb Leftover Turkey Broccoli Casserole
FAQ
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