[Lulu]

So I’m gonna roast the extra turkey that I got while it was on sale. It’s a lean month for us so I need a plan.

It’s just 3 of us. How can I best work and rework to make it count?

I now have plenty of leftovers and want to make the most of them. What are some creative and delicious ways to repurpose the turkey so it doesn’t go to waste?

I’m looking for recipes beyond the usual sandwiches—perhaps soups, casseroles, or even international dishes. Any tips on storing or freezing turkey for later use would also be helpful.

What are your go-to ideas for making the most out of a roasted turkey?

[Shirley]

After it is cooked, save the bones and cook them to make great stock. I just put all bones in slow cooker. Strain, chill and defat (easy to remove when cold) Take some of this broth and use for gravy, soup.

Also put some meat in baggies with broth and freeze. This keeps meat moist and freezes well.

These become meal starters in a bag.

[Crystal]

Serve it for dinner the first night. Maybe a breast to share for the dinner. Then shred all the rest and make sure to be thorough pulling off that meat and pack them into freezer bags pre-portioned for using with dinners.

Make a tortilla soup one night.

Tacos another, white turkey chili maybe, enchiladas, asian rice bowls, etc.

You can do a lot of meals with a basic protein like turkey.

[Chanell]

Portion control. Use it as an ingredient in one-pot meals; the amount will depend on how many people you need to feed, but think of it as a “flavor” as opposed to a main event.

Think soup, pasta, etc., and after you make stock from the carcass, divide that up so you can have small amounts to add as flavoring as well.

[Ginger]

I just did this myself! Turkey and dressing….turkey pot pie, turkey soup

[Holly]

We just did this – boned the turkey…roast breasts sliced for sandwiches, roast thighs for one roast supper and another for pasta supper, bones for 8 pints of canned stock, picked the stock bones for chicken enchiladas and soup, fried skin and organ meat for dog treats and some chicken fat for cooking.

[Veronica]

I usually will serve it as a main dish with potatoes, carrots & bread (all very cost effective particularly if you make the bread).

Then I’ll do turkey sandwiches, Turkey enchiladas, left over turkey bread muffins (crescent rolls with a layer of mayo, leftover turkey, and mozzarella cheese, salt, pepper & dill)

Then I make a broth with the carcass and use up the rest of the turkey to make a turkey noodle soup. (Or rice)

[Jenn]

Eat as main dish first. Turkey and noodles.
Soup.

Pot pie. Tacos.
Sandwiches. / hot turkey with mashed potatoes

[Angela]

I was surprised how well Turkey froze! Last time I cooked Turkey I froze some of it in gravy and it made the most incredible turkey sandwiches!

[Rachel]

Turkey tetrazzini as the pasta bulks it out. Turkey soup with stock made from the bones.

[Grace]

I’d make something with a lot of flavor. Turkey gets a wild flavor after the first day.

Maybe use a lot of spices to help offset that.

[Cheryl]

Lots of GREAT Ideas here. With some of the stock you make from the carcass you can thicken it to make turkey Pot pies and for gravy to add turkey and veggies to pour over rice, potatoes, or pasta.

Then also soup.

[Helen]

Turkey and noodles, turkey and dumplings, as well as any of other suggestions.

[Judy]

Roast the turkey, eat what you will in the first meal. Debone the carcass, saving the carcass to make turkey soup, diving up the carcass and freezing it for future use.

Portion the remaining meat into separate meal portions for three people, use a Food Saver to package the portions and carcass so they can be capably frozen without threat of freezer burn.

If you are only feeding three people, you should be able to stretch this turkey a great long way!

[Deborah]

Turkey gumbo and turkey enchiladas are my favorite ways to use up leftover turkey.

[Becky]

Make some meals for the freezer on day one or freeze the cooked turkey and freeze for later meals (turkey pot pie, turkey and gravy over noodles or mashed potatoes, turkey salad…)

[Jasweet]

Defrost enough so you can portion it how best it would serve you and your family (half, quarters, pieces). General season (I use salt, black pepper, garlic powder and onion powder).

Bag/vacuum seal the portions as you would need un the future.
Next time you buy a turkey for cheap, do this before throwing in the freezer.

If already fully defrosted, cook and then bag/vacuum seal the portions you are not using in the next few days.

[Author]

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