What to do with leftover turkey juice?

Whenever you make a Roast Turkey, don't toss the fat and juices that are left behind in the roasting pan. We love using these turkey drippings in gravy to achieve homemade results with minimal effort and no extra dishes needed.

How long is leftover turkey good in the fridge?

USDA recommends using cooked turkey within 3 to 4 days , kept refrigerated (40°F or less). Refrigeration slows but does not stop bacterial growth. Turkey can be frozen for 3 to 4 months. Although safe indefinitely, frozen leftovers can lose moisture and flavor when stored for longer times in the freezer.

What is the pink juice in turkey?

Scientists have found that pinkness occurs when gases in the atmosphere of a heated gas or electric oven react chemically with hemoglobin in the meat tissues to give poultry a pink tinge . They are the same substances that give red color to smoked hams and other cured meats.

Why not boil bone broth?

Just as when you're making stock for soups or stews, boiling will cause soluble proteins and rendered fat to emulsify into the cooking liquid . By simmering, you avoid emulsifying the fat and thus keep the stock clearer, and we found that the scum created simply settled to the bottom of the pot.

Is turkey bone broth good for you?

Bone broth combines the richness of a stock with the drinkability of a broth. It can make a healthy addition to your diet and contains nutrients such as collagen, electrolytes, and various amino acids . Consuming bone broth can help reduce inflammation and build muscle when combined with daily exercise.

Why is my turkey broth so gelatinous?

Typically, stock includes bones - it's made with drippings and scraps from chicken, turkey, or beef. Stock also tends to have a longer cook time in order to pull all of the nutrients and collagen out of those bones , and can therefore have a thick, gelatinous texture once it's cooled.

What to do with turkey juice besides gravy?

Left over pan drippings from your roast turkey can be poured off into a separate container and used later to flavour a host of dishes such as soups, stews and mashed potatoes . You can freeze them in ice cube size quantities and store them for months, adding a few to a casserole to lift the flavour.

What to do with meat juice after cooking?

These “leftover” juices and meat fat contain major savory flavoring power and can be used just like butter and vegetable oil to sauté a side of leafy greens or add that extra-crisp texture to roasted spuds . Speaking of spuds, cook peeled potato chunks in this liquid to make flavored mashed potatoes.

Should I drain juices from turkey?

Just follow these simple instructions for a fresh or thawed turkey: Preheat oven to 325° F. Drain juices and pat dry with clean paper towels. Place turkey breast side up on a flat rack in a shallow roasting pan 2 to 2 1/2 inches deep.

Can you use turkey drippings as stock?

Turkey drippings and plenty of water are the building blocks of this stock , but you have a TON of flexibility when it comes to the other ingredients!

Paleo & Whole30 Leftover Turkey Recipes - What Great Grandma Ate (2024)

Last Updated on November 23, 2023 by Jean Choi Leave a Comment

Not sure what to do with your Thanksgiving leftover meat? Here are some delicious leftover turkey recipes (many are paleo or Whole30!) so you don’t let anything go to waste!

The day after Thanksgiving, many of us wake up with a packed fridge with all the leftovers. Many people love Thanksgiving food and can eat the leftovers for days. However, if you are like me, you may want to switch it up and repurpose the turkey in various ways.

Check out these gluten free dairy free leftover turkey recipes so you never get bored of eating the same protein for days! These recipes use chicken, but you can easily replace with the same ratio of cooked chicken.

Delicious Leftover Turkey Recipes

1. Buffalo Turkey Salad

This recipe is a classic chicken salad made spicy and addicting with buffalo sauce! Just replace the chicken with the same amount of cooked turkey meat. It’s actually one of my favorite keto and plaeo leftover turkey recipes that the whole family loves. Enjoy on its own, in lettuce wraps, with crackers, or on toast!

2. Kale Turkey Caesar Salad

This kale caesar salad is made with massaged kale, toasted almonds, and onion, all covered in the best creamy Whole30 caesar dressing! It’s perfect if you want to add in some healthy veggies after indulging a bit too much on Thanksgiving.

To substitute the meat with turkey, just replace the chicken with 1 cup of turkey meat and add it to the salad. You can skip the step of cooking the meat!

3. White Turkey Chili

This is one of the most popular recipes on my blog and I’m not surprised. It’s creamy, flavorful, and so comforting, with Mexican spices, veggies, and meat, simmered in coconut milk, broth, and diced green chili.

To replace chicken with turkey, add only the spices on step 3, skip step 4 (when you cook the chicken). Then, add cooked and shredded turkey meat at step 8.

4. Burrito Bowl

This is one of the most versatile gluten free recipes for leftover turkey or just about any meat. The recipe calls for chicken or ground beef, but cooked turkey meat makes a perfect replacement.

For already cooked meat, just add all the spices to the turkey, then pan fry for 1-2 minutes to heat it up. Add any of the fixings you want, like cilantro lime cauliflower rice, lettuce, salsa, guacamole, olives, and plantain chips. You instantly have yourself a delicious and easy meal!

5. Cobb Salad

This keto and Whole30 cobb salad contains all the flavors you love in a classic cobb with a healthier twist! There’s no cheese, but you won’t miss it at all when it’s chock full of bacon, avocado, hard boiled eggs, tomatoes, and green onions.

Just substitute cooked chicken with cooked turkey meat and you have a delicious and filling salad that’s both creamy and crunchy at the same time!

6. Mini Turkey Pot Pies

These individual-sized chicken pot pies are delicious. The cassava flour crust is soft but sturdy, and the filling is made with veggies and cooked turkey meat (if you replace chicken). It does take a bit of time to shape and cut the dough, but the result is so comforting and yummy! Even kids love this fun-sized pot pies.

7. Buffalo Turkey Dip

Always a crowd-favorite when I bring it to any gathering, this buffalo dip is one of my favorite keto and gluten free leftover turkey recipes. Since your turkey will be cooked already, it comes together very quickly and easily and it’s a great way to use it up fast.

It requires 3 cups of cooked chicken, which you can directly replace with turkey. With hot sauce, mayo, and delicious combo of spices, you just need to mix all the ingredients together, bake, and you are done! To keep it low carb, serve with veggies like radish slices and celery.

Paleo & Whole30 Leftover Turkey Recipes - What Great Grandma Ate (8)

8. Mandarin Turkey Salad with Coconut Chips

Restaurant Mandarin salads are usually loaded with sugar, MSG, and other artificial ingredients. This version uses clean ingredients like sugar-free Mandarin oranges, coconut chips and slivered almonds instead of crispy noodles! It also features a delicious and naturally sweetened dressing made without inflammatory vegetable oils.

The original recipe requires 2 cups cooked and chopped chicken which you can easily substitute with turkey leftovers.

9. Instant Pot or Slow Cooker Buffalo Turkey Chili

A classic chili with a twist. This easy and spicy buffalo turkey chili can be made in the Instant Pot or the slow cooker. It’s chock full of veggies like cauliflower rice, onion, celery, and carrots, as well as flavorful spices like chili, cumin, coriander and more.

To replace the chicken in the recipe, just add about 2 cups of shredded turkey meat with the rest of the ingredients into the Instant Pot or the slow cooker. It’ll still be tender and flavorful when melded with all the flavors after cooking. I highly recommend all the optional garnishes to add additional textures and flavors!

10. Hearty Turkey Salad

This is one my paleo and Whole30 leftover turkey recipes that I’ve made the most of in the past. It’s always my go-to the week after Thanksgiving and my husband loves it too.

You can substitute chicken with 1 1/2 cups of cooked turkey meat, then add celery, carrot, onion, olives, mayo, apple cider vinegar, mustard, salt, and pepper. It couldn’t be easier and tastes fantastic on toast or crackers!

11. Coconut Turkey Curry

Creamy spiced coconut curry sauce coating leftover turkey meat! It’s a one pot dish that takes just 30 minutes to make so it’s perfect when you are tired of cooking.

Just sub chicken with turkey, and you’ll have a delicious, comforting meal you can serve with rice or cauliflower rice.

11. Chinese Turkey Salad

Crunchy, refreshing, and delicious, this better-than-takeout salad is packed with veggies and naturally sweetened with dates. It’s so easy to make as well.

Just sub cooked chicken with cooked turkey and you’ll have delicious and flavorful meal in no time!

12. Green Goddess Pasta Salad with Turkey

This salad is made with leftover cooked chicken, but you can easily replace it with leftover turkey! The zesty and bright green goddess dressing really pulls this dish together, and the combination in flavors and textures is just fantastic!

Substitute chicken with the same amount of turkey and you should have a delicious pasta salad in no time.

13. Easy Instant Pot Leftover Turkey Soup – with Stovetop Method

This leftover turkey soup is probably what I make the most often every year after Thanksgiving. Not only is it quick and easy, you can use the entire turkey carcass for an amazingly flavorful broth – but that’s totally optional if you don’t have any bones left.

Packed with veggies, turkey, and rice (you can omit for paleo or Whole30), it’s just so comforting, hearty, and wonderful!

14.30-Minute Dak Juk | Korean Rice Porridge with Turkey

One of my favorite recipes to make when if anyone in my house if anyone in the house is feeling under the weather – this is a Korean version of congee that’s so comforting and wonderful. You’ll leftover cooked rice, and everything is simmered together until thick and creamy.

Just replace chicken with turkey meat – and it’s a super quick and easy recipe that even kids will love.