Find out how easy it is to make Turkey Stock from your Thanksgiving turkey bones! All you need is a clean turkey carcass and some herbs and vegetables that you probably already had from cooking the turkey. You will love making your next soup with this tasty turkey stock! Originally posted November 21, 2012
The people in the apartment above us vacuum about once a week. (It’s pretty loud because the insulation in our apartment building is practically nil. “Are they vacuuming again?” I ask myself every time. Then I quickly remind myself, “Yes, Karen. Most people vacuum more than once every three months, like you.”
Anyway. Now that you’re feeling so good about yourself compared to me. We have news! We just found out we are having a baby BOY!! I’m still in complete shock. I was convinced it was a girl. (I think I just told myself that because I didn’t want to have to repaint Charlotte’s room. Also, I thought Charlotte was a boy, so my mom’s intuition might just be stuck in Opposite-Day mode all the time. We are so excited to have a little boy!.
For now I’m focusing on doing some toddler training before the baby gets here. It was someone else’s idea to let our toddlers sleep on small trampolines. Charlotte loves to jump in her crib, which makes it not quite as good of a place for a time-out. You would not believe the height she gets. I can tell she’s awake from her nap not by hearing her cry, but by hearing her mattress springs moving around. One of these days she is going to go sailing over the edge. I should start lining the floor with pillows.
Have you guys decorated for Christmas yet? I broke down over the weekend. There is nothing better than a lit Christmas tree, yes, even the week before Thanksgiving!!.
But don’t worry Thanksgiving, I am still SUPER excited about you. When I cooked my first turkey last week, I wanted to get as much as I could from it, so I made turkey stock. It was super easy. Throw everything in a pot and forget about it for a few hours. And man is it good! This stock makes the BEST soup. My favorite is to use the stock to make this Creamy Turkey Wild Rice Soup. Here’s what you’re going to need, hopefully you have most of this stuff leftover from your Thanksgiving shopping!.
The holidays are a time for enjoying delicious roasted turkey with family and friends. But once the feast is over, you’re often left staring at a picked-over turkey carcass wondering what to do with it. As a food blogger and enthusiast, I never let my turkey bones go to waste! A carcass can elevate soups stocks stews and more with its rich flavor. In this article, I’ll share my top tips for repurposing your turkey frame into mouthwatering dishes.
Make Turkey Stock
One of the easiest ways to use the carcass is simmering it into a rich, savory turkey stock. This method extracts all the remaining juices and gelatin from the bones, creating a tasty foundation for sauces, risottos, gravies and more.
It only requires a few simple ingredients
- Turkey carcass
- Water
- Aromatics like onions, carrots, celery, garlic and herbs
Simply place the carcass in a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for at least 1 hour. Strain out the solids and you’ll have a delicious turkey stock bursting with flavor! I like to portion and freeze my homemade stock in bags so I can use it year-round.
Make Turkey Soup
For an easy, comforting soup, simmer the carcass in water with veggies like carrots, onions and celery. Remove the bones, then add rice or egg noodles. Shred and add any leftover turkey meat for heartiness.
This soup balances the rich savoriness of the carcass with bright veggies and pasta or grains. It’s cozy and satisfying on chilly nights!
Turkey and White Bean Chili
Chili is a fantastic way to highlight the meaty deliciousness of a cooked turkey frame. Simmer it in broth with onions, garlic and canned white beans. Shred leftover turkey and mix it in at the end for texture.
The smoky carcass pairs perfectly with the creamy beans. Top with tortilla chips, avocado, cheese and lime wedges.
Turkey Congee
Congee is a Chinese rice porridge often made with chicken, but turkey works great too! Make a stock with the carcass and aromatics. Discard bones, then add rice and shredded turkey meat. Simmer until the rice becomes a creamy porridge.
I love congee topped with scallions, fried shallots, chili oil and pickled veggies. It’s incredibly comforting, perfect for chilly mornings.
Turkey and Dumplings
For old-fashioned comfort food, whip up turkey and dumplings! This one-pot meal features fluffy dumplings simmered in the savory turkey broth.
Simply add carrots, celery and onion to the broth along with egg noodles or biscuit dough dumplings. Sprinkle leftover turkey on top before serving for pure coziness.
Make Turkey Bone Broth
Bone broth has become very trendy for its potential health benefits. Simmering bones for 24-48 hours extracts minerals like calcium, magnesium and potassium. The collagen may also help gut health.
While you can make bone broth with any animal bones, turkey has a lighter, more delicate flavor than beef or chicken. Simmer the carcass for at least 24 hours, adding vinegar to draw out the nutrients.
Turkey Pot Pie
For ultimate comfort food, use your turkey frame to make flavorful pot pie filling. Simmer it with onions, carrots, celery, peas and parsley until tender. Remove the bones, add milk or cream, and shredded turkey.
Pour this savory filling into a pie crust. Top with another crust or biscuits and bake until golden. With its creamy interior and flaky exterior, this pot pie is pure coziness.
Turkey Tortilla Soup
Tortilla soup highlights the tasty remnants of your holiday bird. Simmer the bones in broth with tomatoes, onions, garlic and peppers. Shred leftover turkey and mix it in at the end along with corn, beans and tortilla strips.
Garnish each bowl with avocado, cheese, cilantro and lime. The lime brightens all the rich components.
Make Enchiladas
Shredded turkey and a red chili sauce makes killer enchiladas. Simmer the carcass to make a flavorful chili sauce base. Discard the bones, then add tomatoes, onions, garlic and spices to the sauce along with shredded turkey leftovers.
Spoon the mixture into tortillas, top with cheese and bake until bubbly. The turkey pairs perfectly with the tomatoey chili sauce. Serve with beans, rice, guacamole and more for an amazing Mexican meal.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, a turkey skeleton can transform into delicious soups, stews, pot pies and more. These dishes highlight the scrumptious roasted flavor while reducing waste and stretching your holiday meal.
I hope these ideas have convinced you to view your turkey carcass as an opportunity, not a chore. Get creative with it this season – there’s no need to throw it out when you can craft so many mouthwatering leftover dishes your whole family will love! Savor every morsel of flavor from your holiday bird.
Ingredients for Turkey Bone Broth
- Turkey carcass, picked over. Mine was 12-15 pounds
- If you have turkey neck, great! If not, that’s fine too.
- Giblets, if you have them (it’s ok if you don’t)
- Extra turkey fat, if you have it (it’s okay if you don’t).
- Onion
- 4 cloves of garlic, smashed
- Large carrots
- Celery, leaves included
- Parsley
- Sage
- Fresh rosemary
- Thyme
- Bay leaves
- Whole peppercorns
Soups that you can use this turkey stock to make:
What To Do With Turkey Carcass? Turkey carcass
FAQ
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