Leftover Turkey Curry - My Gorgeous Recipes (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Daniela Apostol · This post may contain affiliate links · 10 Comments

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Leftover Turkey Curry, a delicious meal ready in about 30 minutes. A quick and easy recipe that will help you use up leftover turkey that could otherwise go to waste. It's a mild curry that makes it perfect for a family dinner recipe.

Leftover Turkey Curry - My Gorgeous Recipes (1)

I admit it, I am guilty, I have done it times and times again! Throwing away leftovers happens way too often, more often than I would like. Which is a shame, leftover food can be successfully recycled into fantastic dishes, as easy or as fancy as one wishes.

And if the Thanksgiving or Christmas turkey feast resulted in the unavoidable leftovers, what a better idea than a good old curry recipe to use up any leftover turkey. British people definitely love a good curry, there is no doubt about that. And it's not surprising that curry is actually considered a national dish, regardless of its Asian origins.

From butter chicken,tochicken tikka masala or a good chicken and coconut curry, my taste buds do know how to appreciate a delicious curry. And now it's time for turkey curry!

Jump to:
  • Ingredients needed to make leftover turkey curry
  • Step-by-step photos and instructions
  • Expert tips
  • Leftover Turkey Curry
Leftover Turkey Curry - My Gorgeous Recipes (2)

Ingredients needed to make leftover turkey curry

  • leftover turkey - cubed
  • tomato passata
  • onion - either yellow or red onion, or shallots
  • ginger puree
  • garlic
  • Greek yogurt
  • vegetable oil
  • garam masala
  • ground cumin
  • turmeric
  • salt and pepper - to taste
  • fresh coriander - cilantro, to garnish
  • chicken stock -broth

Step-by-step photos and instructions

Since the turkey is already cooked, all we need to worry is the curry sauce, which is super easy to whip up.

  • add the peeled onion, garlic and ginger puree to a food processor and blitz until finely chopped
  • heat up the oil in a pan, add the onion mixture and fry until golden
Leftover Turkey Curry - My Gorgeous Recipes (3)
  • add the spices and leave to fry for a further 2 minutes
  • in go the tomato passata and chicken broth, plus the cubed leftover turkey
  • leave to cook with the lid on until the sauce is reduced and thick
  • add the yogurt, season with salt and pepper to taste, and garnish with parsley or coriander
Leftover Turkey Curry - My Gorgeous Recipes (4)

Expert tips

I used tomato passata, but fresh or canned chopped or plum tomatoes could be used instead too. Of course, the very essence of a curry sauce are the spices used. Earthy, hot, deep, and divinely aromatic, these spices give the dish an unmistakable Indian flavour.

You can swap leftover turkey for leftover chicken, in case you had a rather large roast chicken that needs using up.To bring the heat of the spices down, yogurt always does the trick. Although you can also use cream or, for an even more exotic flavour, coconut milk.

It's down to own preference though, for this recipe I only used Greek yogurt, its creaminess making the sauce even richer. This leftover turkey curry is such a delightful dish, ridiculously cheap, but tasty as only a good curry can be.

Because I cooked this turkey curry for the whole family, I did not use any chilli, as my daughters won't like spice, but you can definitely add some red or green chilli, or chilli flakes or powder. Do give it a go!

Leftover Turkey Curry - My Gorgeous Recipes (5)

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Leftover Turkey Curry - My Gorgeous Recipes (6)

Leftover Turkey Curry

Leftover Turkey Curry, a delicious meal ready in about 30 minutes. A quick and easy recipe that will help you use up leftover turkey that could otherwise go to waste. It's a mild curry that makes it perfect for a family dinner recipe.

3.57 from 32 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Indian

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 people

Calories: 249kcal

Author: Daniela Apostol

Ingredients

  • 3 cups leftover turkey, cubed
  • 1 tin tomato passata (500 ml, 17 oz)
  • 1 onion
  • 1 teaspoon ginger puree
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • 2 tablespoon Greek yogurt
  • 2 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 tablespoon garam masala
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • fresh coriander (cilantro) to garnish
  • 1 cup chicken stock (broth)

Metric - US Customary

Instructions

  • Peel the garlic and onion, and add them to a food processor together with the ginger puree, and blitz until finely chopped.

  • Heat up the oil in a pan, and add the onion mixture.

  • Fry until golden, then add the turmeric, garam masala and cumin, and give it a stir.

  • Fry for 2 minutes so the spices can release their flavours, then pour in the tomato passata and chicken broth/stock.

  • In go the cubed leftover turkey, and leave to cook with the lid on until the sauce is reduced and thickened.

  • Add the yogurt and chopped coriander/parsley, season to taste with salt and pepper, and serve hot.

  • Take off the heat, and serve hot with rice or flat bread.

Video

Notes

  • I used tomato passata, but fresh or canned chopped or plum tomatoes could be used instead too. Of course, the very essence of a curry sauce are the spices used. Earthy, hot, deep, and divinely aromatic, these spices give the dish an unmistakable Indian flavour.
  • You can swap leftover turkey for leftover chicken, in case you had a rather large roast chicken that needs using up.To bring the heat of the spices down, yogurt always does the trick. Although you can also use cream or, for an even more exotic flavour, coconut milk.
  • It's down to own preference though, for this recipe I only used Greek yogurt, its creaminess making the sauce even richer. This leftover turkey curry is such a delightful dish, ridiculously cheap, but tasty as only a good curry can be.
  • Because I cooked this turkey curry for the whole family, I did not use any chilli, as my daughters won't like spice, but you can definitely add some red or green chilli, or chilli flakes or powder. Do give it a go!

Nutrition

Calories: 249kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 117mg | Sodium: 200mg | Potassium: 401mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 51IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 2mg

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Leftover Turkey Curry - My Gorgeous Recipes (2024)

FAQs

How long can you keep turkey curry? ›

You should eat this Turkey Curry straight away, and within 48 hours of the turkey being cooked and cooled. If you allow any leftovers to cool, make sure to refrigerate in a container with a lid and chill. You can keep leftovers of Turkey Curry in the fridge for approximately 3 days or so.

Can you freeze leftover turkey? ›

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.

Can I freeze turkey stew? ›

You can freeze turkey, other meat and meals cooked from previously cooked and frozen meat. But once defrosted, the pause button is off and you should eat the food within 24 hours. You can make your leftovers into new meals and then freeze them.

Can I eat leftover turkey after a week? ›

How long do the turkey and trimmings stay safe in the refrigerator or freezer? The answer is simple: leftovers can be kept in the refrigerator for three to four days. This means you have until the Monday after Thanksgiving to eat all those delicious leftovers or place them in the freezer to enjoy later.

How many days can you eat leftover curry? ›

Curries, whether vegetarian or non-vegetarian, often contain a mix of vegetables, meats, and spices. It is possible to store curries in the refrigerator for 3-4 days when they are properly packaged in an airtight container. For longer storage, consider freezing.

Is a 3 year old frozen turkey still good? ›

A whole turkey can be stored in the freezer for up to 12 months. Turkey pieces are best consumed within nine months.

Can I eat turkey left out overnight? ›

How can you be sure your leftovers are safe? A turkey can sit out for a maximum of two hours in the temperature danger zone of 40 to 140 degrees F. If the room temperature is above 90 degrees, limit the time that turkey sits out to only one hour.

Can dogs eat turkey? ›

Yes, when cooked and prepared properly—and given in very small portions—turkey can be a healthy, occasional treat for dogs. Make sure it is fully cooked; has no skin, bones, or fat; and is not cooked with any other ingredients or seasonings. Here are some nutrients found in turkey: Vitamin B6.

Is it OK to freeze turkey gravy? ›

Gravy can be stored safely in the refrigerator for three to four days. If not used within that time, you can freeze it four to six months.

Is it OK to freeze turkey broth? ›

Freeze the liquid for up to 6 months.

If you're freezing the liquid in ice cube trays, transfer the frozen cubes to a sealable freezer bag and use them within 6 months. While you can freeze the liquid for more than 6 months, it may develop freezer burn which will affect the flavor.

What is the best way to freeze leftover stew? ›

Freezing Stew

Store stew in heavy plastic, airtight containers, leaving ¼- to ½- inch of space to allow for expansion in the freezer. Stew can be kept frozen for up to 3 months. Stews thickened with flour or cornstarch may separate after freezing. If you plan to freeze a stew, wait to thicken it until you reheat it.

How long will leftover turkey last in refrigerator? ›

How Long Does Turkey Last in the Fridge? The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends using cooked turkey within three to four days as long as it is kept refrigerated at a temperature that is 40°F or lower.

Can you eat cooked turkey after 5 days mumsnet? ›

I'd say so. We usually allow five days max and it's only been three so far. We'll make the last of ours into a curry tomorrow. Been doing it for 35 years and nobody's been ill from it yet.

How long does cured turkey last in the fridge? ›

Poultry: Cured and smoked poultry will last up to two weeks in the refrigerator or over a year in the freezer.

How long can you keep turkey fat? ›

Officially, considering food safety guidelines, I should really say that you could keep it in a sealed container in the fridge for about a week. But unofficially, providing it has been stored in a cold part of the fridge, in a clean sealed jar, we would keep it for a month for cooking.

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