Ingredients

4 tbsp butter

1 medium yellow or sweet onion, diced to 1/2″

2 cloves garlic, minced

3 stalks celery, thinly sliced

3 medium carrots, peeled and sliced into 1/2″ coins

4 tbsp all-purpose flour

1/2 cup dry white wine

4 cups turkey broth or stock

1/2 cup leftover turkey gravy

4 cups leftover turkey (white and/or dark meat)

1 sprig fresh thyme (or 1 tsp dried thyme)

1 sprig fresh sage (or 1/2 tsp rubbed sage)

1/3 cup heavy cream

Kosher salt, to taste

Ground pepper, to taste

Instructions

Step 1: Heat a 6-quart Dutch oven or soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the butter and melt it until it foams. Add the onion, celery, and carrots, toss to coat in the butter, and sauté, stirring occasionally, until the onion is translucent and the vegetables soften, about 10 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring continuously, until fragrant, about 1 minute more.

Step 2: Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables. Stir to work the flour into the vegetables and cook for 2–3 minutes to remove the raw flour taste.

Step 3: Deglaze the pot with the white wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Stir until the flour dissolves. If you prefer, substitute the wine with an additional 1/2 cup of broth.

Step 4: Add the turkey broth and leftover gravy to the pot. Stir in the leftover turkey. Bundle the thyme and sage with kitchen twine and add the herbs to the pot.

Step 5: Increase the heat to bring the liquid to a simmer. Once simmering, reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer and cook for 20 minutes.

Step 6: Remove the stew from heat and discard the herb bundle. Stir in the heavy cream. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed, keeping in mind the gravy can be salty.

Step 7: Serve the creamy turkey stew ladled over mashed potatoes or stuffing for a satisfying meal.

Tips & Variations

To add a bit of extra flavor, sprinkle in some chopped fresh parsley or chives before serving.

Use chicken broth if turkey broth isn’t available; it still adds great taste.

For a thicker stew, cook it a little longer uncovered to reduce the liquid.

Leftover vegetables like peas or corn can be added along with the turkey for added texture and color.

FAQs

Can I use fresh turkey instead of leftovers?

Yes, you can substitute freshly cooked turkey meat, but reduce the cooking time since the turkey is already cooked. Add it near the end of simmering to warm through without drying out.

What can I substitute for white wine?

If you prefer not to use white wine, you can replace it with an equal amount of additional turkey or chicken broth. It will still add moisture and depth to the stew.