Whether you’re hosting a big family gathering on December 25th, or celebrating with friends and loved ones another day this month, chances are you’ve purchased a whole bird for your festivities. It’s a lot of delicious, healthy, locally-grown protein—which can come at a cost for one meal.
But when you stretch that bird out with many leftover recipes? You fill many bellies.
This month, we’re really focusing on creative ways to repurpose your turkey leftovers. From seasonal soups made with fresh vegetables, to creamy and comforting pastas, or just a classic hearty sandwich—there are so many ways you bring turkey to the table.
Even if it isn’t a holiday feast, you can always purchase a whole bird as a cost effective way to bring delicious turkey protein to your weekly roster.
Soups & Stews with Leftover Turkey
As we enter the winter season, it’s a no-brainer to turn that leftover turkey meat into plenty of hearty soups and stews. Loaded with immune-boosting ingredients like garlic, ginger, turmeric, and other spices, you can transform a regular cut of turkey into a variety of flavours.
This is also a great way to put every part of the turkey—breast, thigh, wings, and more—into a big pot. Throw in root vegetables like onions, potatoes, yams, turnips, celery, carrots, and other BC sourced products and you’ve got everything you need for a hearty bowl of warmth. Add lentils and other legumes and you’ve got even more lean protein!
Recipe: Turkey Butternut Squash Stew
Recipe: Thai Inspired Turkey Green Curry
Recipe: Turkey Apple Curry Dai
Leftover Turkey Sandwiches & Wraps
In the days after the big holiday feast, there’s something comforting about easy-to-make sandwiches and wraps from leftover turkey. If you’ve got extra cranberry sauce, stuffing, or mashed potatoes and gravy, you can add them all together in a double-decker style bunwich that’ll keep you satisfied and fueled for cold weather activities.
One great part about freezing your leftover turkey meat? You can thaw them in the New Year for a boost of lean, low-fat protein across multiple lunches as you return to the swing of work and everyday life. They’re also kid-approved when you add cheese and other toppings!
Recipe: Turkey Shawarma Wraps
Recipe: Toasted Turkey Brie and Cranberry Sauce Sandwich with Avocado
Recipe: Turkey and Walnut Pesto Flatbread
Pastas & More with your Leftover Turkey
In the cold, winter weather we all crave something creamy and filling. Pastas and rice bakes are great ways to add a touch of high-quality turkey protein to the recipe while still satisfying that need for a cozy meal.
If you’ve got a lot of leftover turkey this month, consider taking two forks and shredding your meat—you can sprinkle it into a variety of cheesy, rich sauces or stir it into a casserole dish for an even larger meal. The best part is that initial purchase happened weeks ago, keeping your wallet just as happy as your stomach.
Recipe: Stuffing Potato Gnocchi with Turkey and Creamy Squash Sauce
Recipe: Turkey and Cornbread Kush
Recipe: Turkey Puttanesca
However you celebrate this holiday season—Friendsmas, staff parties, casual appies, a big feast with family—we hope you enjoy the delicious homegrown turkey raised right here in BC. Turning your whole bird dinner into many leftover meals is an ideal way to balance the budget at a historically expensive time of year, and bring more nutrition to your plate amidst the cookies and chocolates.
Happy Holidays, everyone!