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.
The holidays have come and gone, and now you’re staring down a refrigerator full of leftover turkey. Before you resign yourself to eating plain old turkey sandwiches for days on end, consider whipping up an easy and delicious batch of creamed turkey. This classic comfort food is the perfect way to savor every last bit of holiday bird.
Creamed turkey is essentially a rich, creamy gravy or sauce made with flour, butter, and milk or cream that is then mixed with bite-sized pieces of cooked turkey It’s warm, satisfying fare after a long day, and a great way to repurpose leftovers Follow this simple step-by-step guide to learn how to make creamed turkey at home.
An Overview of Creamed Turkey
Creamed turkey is a white sauce or gravy that’s thickened with a butter and flour roux. Milk or cream is whisked in to give it a creamy richness and texture. Broth herbs and seasonings add savory flavor. Finally, chopped cooked turkey is folded in until heated through. The result is an utterly comforting meal that feels indulgent but is actually pretty easy to make.
This dish has its roots in traditional Southern cooking Often served over biscuits, rice or toast, creamed turkey was a thrifty way to stretch leftover turkey into another meal after the initial Thanksgiving or holiday feast Its rich, soothing flavors made it a favorite for family dinners.
While creamed turkey is most popular as a post-holiday meal, you can enjoy it any time by using shredded rotisserie chicken. It makes a great hearty dinner, and is even perfect for breakfast. Keep reading to learn step-by-step how to whip up this satisfying dish.
Tips for Making Perfect Creamed Turkey
Follow these tips and tricks for the very best creamed turkey every time:
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Use a combo of milk and broth – The milk provides creaminess while the savory broth lends lots of flavor. Chicken or turkey broth is ideal.
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Cook the roux properly – Whisking flour and butter together first prevents lumps. Cook the roux for 2 minutes before adding liquid.
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Stir frequently – This prevents scorching and sticking on the bottom of the pan.
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Season generously – Flavor with salt, pepper and herbs like thyme or sage. Onion and garlic powders are great too.
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Use bite sized turkey pieces – Fold in shredded or chopped turkey so it doesn’t overcook in the sauce.
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Serve immediately – The sauce will thicken more upon standing so serve it hot right away over biscuits or toast.
Ingredients Needed For Creamed Turkey
Creamed turkey is easy to make with simple pantry ingredients:
- 2-3 cups cooked turkey, chopped
- 3 Tbsp butter
- 3 Tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup chicken or turkey broth
- 1⁄4 tsp dried sage or thyme (optional)
- 1⁄4 tsp onion powder
- 1⁄4 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper
- Chopped parsley for garnish
Step-By-Step Guide to Making Creamed Turkey
Follow these simple steps for foolproof creamed turkey every time:
Step 1: Melt the Butter
Melt 3 Tbsp butter in a skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Allow it to melt completely before moving on.
Step 2: Whisk in the Flour
Next, whisk in 3 Tbsp all-purpose flour. Cook, whisking constantly, for 2 minutes to create a smooth roux.
Step 3: Gradually Whisk in Liquid
While continuing to whisk, slowly pour in 1 cup milk and 1 cup broth. Whisk vigorously to fully combine.
Step 4: Simmer the Sauce
Allow the sauce to come to a gentle simmer. Let it bubble for 2-3 minutes, stirring often, until thickened.
Step 5: Season the Sauce
Stir in sage or thyme, onion powder, garlic powder and salt and pepper to taste.
Step 6: Fold in the Turkey
Add 2-3 cups chopped or shredded cooked turkey. Gently fold to combine without over-stirring.
Step 7: Heat Turkey Through
Simmer just until the turkey is heated through, about 2 minutes.
Step 8: Serve Hot
Remove from heat. Taste for seasoning. Serve immediately over biscuits, toast or rice.
And that’s it! With just a few pantry staples, you can whip up this comforting classic in 30 minutes or less. Adjust the ingredient amounts as needed to use up all your leftover turkey.
Handy Variations and Serving Suggestions
There are lots of ways to tweak creamed turkey to your tastes:
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For extra richness, use half and half or heavy cream instead of regular milk.
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Add chopped onions, carrots, mushrooms or other veggies.
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Use chicken broth for more versatility to pair it with chicken.
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Stir in peas, broccoli or corn with the turkey for some added color.
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Swap out the sage for rosemary, thyme or any favorite herbs.
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Skip the toast and serve it over mashed potatoes, egg noodles or rice instead.
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Garnish with extra chopped parsley or green onions for a pop of color.
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Drizzle with hot sauce or stir in a pinch of cayenne for a touch of heat.
No matter how you season it or serve it up, creamed turkey makes for the ultimate warm, soothing dinner on a chilly night. It also keeps well for leftovers to enjoy throughout the week.
Frequently Asked Questions About Making Creamed Turkey at Home
Here are answers to some common creamed turkey questions:
Is creamed turkey the same as turkey gravy?
Creamed turkey is similar to turkey gravy but contains milk or cream to give it a richer, creamier texture. Turkey gravy is usually pan drippings thickened with flour or cornstarch.
Can I use chicken instead of turkey?
Absolutely! Simply replace the turkey with shredded or chopped cooked chicken.
Can I prepare creamed turkey ahead of time?
For the best texture and flavor, creamed turkey is really best served freshly made. However, you can make it 1-2 days in advance and gently reheat it over medium low heat while stirring frequently. Add a splash more milk or broth if needed to thin it out.
What’s the best way to thicken the sauce?
Cooking the butter and flour together first creates the most robust thickening power for the sauce. Make sure to whisk vigorously when adding the milk to prevent any lumps.
What can I serve creamed turkey over?
Some of the most popular options include biscuits, mashed potatoes, egg noodles, rice or buttered toast.
How long does creamed turkey last?
If stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, creamed turkey will keep for 3-4 days. Reheat gently before serving.
Satisfying and Simple
Creamed turkey is the perfect way to savor every last morsel of holiday turkey in a hearty, comforting meal. The rich creamy sauce takes plain old turkey from bland to decadent. Follow the step-by-step guide above for foolproof results. Play around with different herbs, seasonings and serving suggestions until you find your favorite. With just a few pantry staples and a little leftover meat, you can whip up this satisfying dish anytime.
️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.
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.