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Creamy Leftover Turkey Stew Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 135 reviews

This creamy leftover turkey stew is a comforting and hearty way to transform your turkey leftovers into a flavorful, warming meal. Packed with tender turkey pieces, fresh vegetables, and a rich creamy broth enhanced by herbs and white wine, it’s perfect for chilly evenings or for using up holiday turkey remnants.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables and Aromatics

  • 1 medium yellow or sweet onion, diced to 1/2 inch
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 stalks celery, thinly sliced
  • 3 medium carrots, peeled and sliced into 1/2 inch coins

Liquids and Dairy

  • 1/2 cup dry white wine
  • 4 cups turkey broth or stock
  • 1/2 cup leftover turkey gravy
  • 1/3 cup heavy cream
  • 4 tablespoons butter

Meat

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

Thickeners and Herbs

  • 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 sprig fresh thyme (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
  • 1 sprig fresh sage (or 1/2 teaspoon rubbed sage)

Seasonings

  • Kosher salt, to taste
  • Ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Sauté Vegetables: Heat a 6-quart dutch oven or soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the butter and let it melt until foaming. Add the diced onion, sliced celery, and sliced carrots; toss to coat in the melted butter. Sauté while stirring occasionally until the onion is translucent and the celery and carrots have softened, about 10 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook, stirring continuously, until fragrant, about 1 minute.
  2. Add Flour: Sprinkle the all-purpose flour evenly over the cooked vegetables. Stir well to work the flour into the vegetables, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes to remove the raw flour taste.
  3. Deglaze Pot: Pour in the dry white wine to deglaze the pot, scraping up any browned bits stuck to the bottom. Stir continuously until the flour dissolves into the liquid, creating a smooth base. If you prefer, substitute the wine with an additional half cup of turkey broth.
  4. Add Broth and Turkey: Pour in the turkey broth and the leftover turkey gravy. Add the leftover turkey meat and stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients. Tie the fresh thyme and sage together with a piece of kitchen twine, and add the herb bundle to the pot.
  5. Simmer Stew: Increase the heat to bring the stew to a simmer. Adjust the heat to maintain a gentle simmer and cook for 20 minutes to allow flavors to meld and the vegetables to fully cook.
  6. Finish and Season: Remove the herb bundle from the stew and take the pot off the heat. Stir in the heavy cream to add richness and creaminess. Taste the stew and season with kosher salt and ground black pepper as needed, keeping in mind that the leftover gravy might add saltiness.
  7. Serve: Ladle the creamy leftover turkey stew over mashed potatoes or stuffing for a satisfying and delicious meal experience.

Notes

  • If you do not have leftover gravy, you may substitute with an additional 1/2 cup of turkey broth and adjust seasoning accordingly.
  • Fresh herbs add a brighter flavor, but dried herbs work well too—just use less.
  • For a thicker stew, you can cook it a few minutes longer at the simmer stage or add a slurry of flour and water if desired.
  • This stew reheats well and can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
  • Serve with buttery mashed potatoes, rice, or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.

Keywords: leftover turkey recipes, creamy turkey stew, turkey gravy stew, comforting winter stew, holiday leftovers, turkey soup

Find it online: https://kitchenbyclara.com/creamy-leftover-turkey-stew-recipe/