What can I do with leftover turkey fat?

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 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 for in the 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. “Refrigeration slows but does not stop bacterial growth,” the website states.

What is rendered turkey fat called?

The English term schmaltz is derived from Yiddish and is cognate with the German term Schmalz, which refers to any rendered fat of animal origin, including lard (more precisely Schweineschmalz) and clarified butter (Butterschmalz). English use tends to follow Yiddish, which limits its meaning to rendered poultry fat.

Why does leftover turkey taste different?

Though it's especially obvious in leftover fish and poultry, discerning connoisseurs can pick out the WOF bouquet in most reheated meats. These flavors are the result of a series of chemical reactions that begins with the deterioration of specific kinds of fats known as polyunsaturated fatty acids, or PUFAs .

How to make leftover turkey juicy?

Simply heat your oven to 300 degrees, put the carved meat in a baking dish, and add some chicken broth or turkey stock to the pan . The meat will absorb some of the liquid as it heats, making it nice and juicy. Cover the pan tightly with foil and place it in the oven until the meat is hot, 20 to 30 minutes.

Can you eat cold turkey leftovers?

"If you're worried about it, sure, you can heat the turkey and have a warm sandwich. But taking those steps in the preparation, cooking and storing process means you should be safe to enjoy a cold leftover turkey sandwich .”

Can you use turkey fat for anything?

Turkey fat can be used in place of palm oil in soap recipes, and can be used for making pastries or anything that asks for butter or lard . It will harden up in the fridge until it looks just like store-bought lard, although it will be a darker color.

What can I do with leftover turkey grease?

Dispose of it the Right Way Pour the grease into a seal-tight container and throw in the waste bin . Some homeowners pour the grease down the drain or even the toilet. This can be catastrophic if the grease solidifies in the septic tank, leading to solid globs that clog the system.

What to do with fat from turkey drippings?

The next time I make turkey, I rub the turkey dripping fat on the turkey instead of using butter or oil . Then I lightly season the turkey, because the turkey fat drippings already have seasonings in it. You'll be amazed at the flavor it imparts to your turkey and how rich in flavor the gravy will be.

Where can I dispose of turkey fat?

Cooking oil and fat shouldn't be poured down sinks as it can cause blockages. If you do not have access to a food waste recycling service, put it in a sealed container and place in the general waste bin .

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.