Turkey Tetrazzini and Other Great Leftover Turkey Recipes

What to do with that leftover Turkey? Try these recipes for Creamy Turkey Tetrazzini, Turkey And Lentil Soup and Creamy Turkey and Wild Rice Soup.


Thanksgiving was fabulous this year, since I didn’t have to cook and I was able to indulge on all those wonderful Thanksgiving flavors. When I make turkey and the fixings, I always make sure I have plenty of leftovers. I love everything so much that I don’t mind eating three days later! But, I do know not everyone is like that! So if you have some leftover turkey, here’s one great recipe: Creamy Turkey Tetrazzini.

You start with butter (yum!) and sauté your onions and red bell peppers. Mix in garlic, mushrooms, spices and flour. Make some roux and delicious brown bits. Deglaze your pan with white wine and turkey stock, and let the sauce thicken a bit. Next add your half-and-half and bring the sauce to a boil. Reduce heat until sauce is nice and thick, about 15 minutes. Once thick, add your grated parmesan, shredded turkey, and serve over fettuccine. A very easy and delicious dish.

Creamy Turkey Tetrazzini

A great meal to serve using your holiday turkey leftovers. Recipe by Laura Bashar of Family Spice

Ingredients:

• 6 TBS butter, unsalted
• 1 cup onion, chopped
• 1/2 cup red bell pepper, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 lb mushrooms, sliced
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper, ground
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp oregano, dried
• 1/2 tsp thyme, fresh
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup white wine, dry
• 2 cup chicken broth
• 1 3/4 cup half-and-half
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 lb cooked turkey, coarsely chopped
• 3 TBS parsley, Italian, chopped
• 12 oz fettuccini, cooked

Directions:

1. Heat a large non-stick skillet on medium-high and melt:
• 6 TBS butter, unsalted
2. Add in and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes:
• 1 cup onion , chopped
• 1/2 cup red bell pepper , chopped
3. Stir in for 1 minute:
• 2 garlic cloves , minced
4. Stir in:
• 1 lb mushrooms , sliced
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper, ground
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp oregano, dried
• 1/2 tsp thyme, fresh
5. Cook until mushrooms soften and release their juices, about 5 minutes.
6. Mix in:
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
7. Cook for 2 more minutes.
8. Add in:
• 1/4 cup white wine , dry
• 2 cup chicken broth
9. Continue cooking and stirring until smooth and sauce begins to thicken, about 2 minutes.
10. Pour in and bring to a boil:
• 1 3/4 cup half-and-half
11. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 15 to 20 minutes.
12. When the sauce has thickened, mix in:
• 1/2 tsp black pepper, ground
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese , grated
• 1 lb cooked turkey , coarsely chopped
13. Garnish with:
• 3 TBS parsley, Italian , chopped
14. Serve over:
• 12 oz fettuccini , cooked

Notes:

Cooking Tips: Great with chicken and pork, too!

Prep Time: 15 mins

Yield: Serves 8

Cook Time: 40 mins

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So after you have stripped your turkey of meat, DON’T THROW THE CARCASS AWAY!!!!

Another great thing to do with leftover turkey is to make soup with homemade broth. It’s simple enough to do. Place the carcass whole or in big chunks in a large stock pot, add a couple carrots, celery stocks, chopped onion, bay leaves, fresh sprigs of herbs to it and cover with water. Bring to boil, then reduce to simmer for 2-3 hours. The whole house will have this wonderful aroma and your turkey stock will be full of flavor.

Now what to do with this stock?

My family loves soup and I have two great soup recipes for you.

Turkey And Lentil Soup

This hearty soup has celery, carrots, onion, spinach, parsley, turkey and lentils. Since my middle-child loves pasta, I added 1-inch spaghetti noodles to it, too. A touch of lemon gives this soup some zing!

For the full Turkey And Lentil Soup recipe, click here.

Creamy Turkey and Wild Rice Soup

Being a Persian household, we eat a lot of Basmati rice. And my husband is a creature of habit. He’s not a big fan of brown rice, but I have been adding wild rice to our diet, which he loves. So when I found this recipe, I was excited to see his reaction. I don’t make many creamy soups, so I’m sure you can substitute half-and-half for a healthier soup. My husband loved it, and my middle-one surprised me and loved it, too!

For the full Creamy Turkey and Wild Rice Soup recipe, click here!

Now, only 28 days until Christmas…. YIKES! I better get cracking!