Learn how to render turkey fat and make turkey cracklings. Clean, natural, whole-food, perfect for using in cooking and baking.
Back to the roots. Making tallow from beef, chicken, pork, or turkey fat is easier and better for you than you might think. Rendered fat is a clean, natural substance that has been used for hundreds of years before it was made bad by companies that make cheap, unhealthy hydrogenated fats.
Rendering turkey fat is super easy. Just cut the skin into small pieces, heat them slowly until all the golden fat comes out, strain them, and put them away. [feast_advanced_jump_to].
Roasting a turkey often leaves you with a good amount of rendered fat and pan drippings While you may be tempted to discard the turkey fat, don’t! There are so many delicious ways to use up every last bit of those flavorful drippings.
Using turkey fat adds incredible richness, moisture and flavor to all kinds of recipes. From soups and stews to pie crusts and candies, turkey fat can transform the simplest ingredients into crave-worthy dishes. Read on for 14 creative ideas to put all that tasty turkey fat to good use.
Make Homemade Turkey Stock
One of the easiest and most useful things to do with excess turkey fat is make your own turkey stock. Start by roasting the turkey carcass, neck and giblets in a bit of the fat to build even more flavor. Then add the bones, fat, vegetables scraps and herbs like parsley or thyme to a pot with water. Simmer for 1-2 hours before straining. The turkey fat enriches the broth beautifully. Use it as the base for soups, gravies and more.
Fry Leftover Turkey
Give leftover turkey new life by frying it in turkey fat Melt 1-2 tablespoons of fat in a skillet over medium-high heat Dip turkey pieces in an egg wash, then coat in breadcrumbs, flour or cornmeal. Fry until heated through and crispy. Irresistibly juicy, crispy fried turkey!
Make Hearty Bean or Lentil Stew
Adding a spoonful of turkey fat when cooking beans or lentils enriches the flavor tremendously. Saute aromatics like onion and garlic in the fat, then add beans and broth. The fat adds richness without overpowering the other ingredients.
Saute Vegetables
Sauteing veggies like Brussels sprouts broccoli carrots, kale or cauliflower in a bit of turkey fat caramelizes them beautifully. The fat adds nuttiness and enhances the vegetable’s natural sweetness.
Roast Potatoes or Root Vegetables
For the creamiest, richest roasted potatoes or root veggies like carrots, parsnips and beets, toss them in a tablespoon or two of melted turkey fat before roasting. They’ll come out of the oven crispy, browned and full of flavor.
Make Roux for Gravy or Sauce
One of the classics – use turkey fat rendered from the roasting pan to make a roux for gravy. For 1 cup of fat, combine 1/4 cup fat with 1/4 cup flour. Cook over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until bubbling and thickened. Whisk in broth slowly and simmer until gravy reaches desired consistency.
Saute Greens Like Kale or Collards
The strong flavor of turkey fat is fantastic with bold greens like kale, collard greens or mustard greens. Saute the greens in turkey fat with garlic, onions and seasonings until tender. Turkey fat stands up to the greens beautifully.
Make Pie Crust
For the flakiest, most buttery pie crust, use part turkey fat when making the dough. Cut the chilled fat into the dry ingredients, or even brush the dough with melted fat before baking. Turkey fat makes the flakiest crust.
Cook Cornbread
Melt a few tablespoons of turkey fat and use it in place of oil or butter when mixing up cornbread. The turkey fat adds incredible moisture and richness. Your cornbread will be irresistible.
Make Candles
Here’s a creative way to use every last drop – turn turkey fat into candles! Melt the fat and pour into jars or molds. Add wicks and let cool completely before lighting the natural, homemade candles.
Make Turkey Fat Fried Rice
Saute leftover rice in hot turkey fat along with veggies, turkey meat and seasonings for an easy fried rice. The fat adds texture and tons of flavor.
Make Turkey Fat Mayonnaise
For an ultra rich mayo, use turkey fat instead of vegetable oil. Blend 1 egg yolk with 1 tbsp lemon juice or vinegar. Then very slowly drizzle in 3/4 cup melted turkey fat while blender runs. Season with salt and pepper. Fantastic in chicken salad!
Bake Cornbread, Biscuits or Scones
Use melted turkey fat in place of oil or butter when mixing up cornbread, biscuits, scones or other baked goods. Turkey fat makes them tender and adds incredible flavor.
As you can see, there are endless possibilities for using up turkey fat after the holiday meal. With a little creativity, you can give new life to those flavorful drippings and transform them into something delicious. Don’t let that tasty turkey fat go to waste!
What do you need?
- All you need is turkey skin. The skin from the breasts of the huge turkey I buy every November is what I use.
- It is thick and full of fat. I only trim away a few dried and leathery edges.
- You can use any skin from the birds body. The faster it goes, the less fat you will lose and the thinner your skin.
- You can render as much skin as you want; the amount is completely up to you. I had 1 kg/ 2. This time I used 2 pounds, but I often use a small pot to render very little chicken skin.
- I had 2 full jars of 400 ml/ 13. 5 fl. oz/ 1 ¾ cups each.
How to use it?
- Use for sauteing, frying, or deep frying. It gives food a great smell, and as we already said, it has a high melting and cooking point, which makes it a healthier choice than butter, for example.
- Any kind of rendered fat is great for making soups, stews, and goulash. I also use it for scrambled or fried eggs. You should try Hungarian Beef Goulash, Pörkölt, and Pork and Potato Stew.
- Use for baking, for making pie crusts, for instance.
- You can use it to make either duck confit or potato confit.
- It will taste great if you make popcorn. I couldn’t believe it until I tried it.
- Spread it thinly on bread or toast, and then sprinkle salt on top. Add some paprika for a change.
What can I do with leftover turkey fat?
FAQ
What is turkey fat good for?
What can I do with turkey grease?
Can you use turkey fat for anything?
What can you do with turkey fat?
* Cooking: Rendered turkey fat can be used as a substitute for butter or oil in a variety of recipes. It can be used to saut vegetables, fry chicken, or make biscuits. * Baking: Rendered turkey fat can be used to make pie crusts, biscuits, and other baked goods. It adds a rich flavor and moisture to baked goods.
What are some home remedies to reduce tummy fat?
Ginger Green Tea: Ginger green tea is a blend that has been praised for its ability to promote rapid loss of abdominal fat. Green tea has thermogenic action, which can be very effective in the fat burning process, while ginger accelerates metabolism, thus increasing the body’s caloric expenditure. To prepare the tea, mix one teaspoon of dried green tea leaves with one teaspoon of grated fresh ginger and add them to a cup of boiling water. Let it sit for a few minutes until infusion takes place. When it’s warm, drink it throughout the day, without adding any kind of sweetener. Oatmeal: Oatmeal is a very good home remedy for flat stomach, as it helps eliminate accumulated fat thanks to its fiber and at the same time provides the necessary energy to keep us active throughout the day. Oats are considered the “queen of fat burning foods”. Ginger, honey and cayenne pepper: Both ginger and honey and pepper are products that increase the body temperature, effectively accelerating the metabolic rate. For its consumption, it is recommended to make a ginger tea, adding a little honey and cayenne pepper. Almonds: Almonds are a rich source of potassium and are particularly interesting as they are a low-calorie dry fruit, due to their diuretic effect and their fiber content. Almonds make you feel fuller for longer in a healthy and simple way.
What should I do if I eat raw turkey fat?
* Wear gloves when handling raw turkey fat. This will help to protect your hands from bacteria. * Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before and after handling raw turkey fat. This will help to prevent the spread of bacteria from your hands to other surfaces. * Keep raw turkey fat separate from other foods.
How do you use turkey fat drippings?
Here are some ways you can use them: One of the simplest ways to utilize turkey fat drippings is by incorporating them into gravies, sauces, or dressings. The concentrated flavors of the drippings can elevate the taste of these accompaniments, making them more flavorful and delicious.
How do you make turkey fat?
Rendering turkey fat is super easy. Just cut the skin into small pieces, heat them gently until they have released all their golden fat, strain, and store. Rendered fat, lard or schmaltz is low in saturated fats, and it has lots of minerals and vitamins. It contains no trans fats.
Can you cook with rendered turkey fat?
Rendered turkey fat is a healthier alternative to butter or vegetable oil. It is high in monounsaturated fats, which can help to lower cholesterol and improve heart health. However, it is important to cook with rendered turkey fat safely to avoid cross-contamination and food poisoning. Here are some tips for cooking with rendered turkey fat safely: