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)

If you’ve liked myLEFTOVER TURKEY CURRYor any other recipe on the blog then don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know how you got on in the comments below, I love hearing from you! You can alsoFOLLOW MEonFACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM and PINTERESTto see more delicious food and what I’m getting up to.

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 does leftover turkey last in the fridge? ›

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.

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.

How to eat leftover curry? ›

Here are some of the best options for leftovers:
  1. Curry sandwiches - Spread curry on bread or a roll with some veggies like lettuce and tomato for a flavorful sandwich.
  2. Curry wraps - Wrap the curry in a tortilla or flatbread with veggies and cheese for a handheld meal.
Mar 29, 2021

How much curry powder to use? ›

The amount of curry powder you need to use will depend on how you're using it. If you're using it as a rub/seasoning, start with about 2 tsp. per pound of meat. If you're adding it to a yogurt marinade, we suggest adding about 2 Tbsp.

Can I eat leftover turkey after 7 days? ›

As a general guideline, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services recommends eating or freezing turkey and other leftovers within three to four days. For Thanksgiving, that means you should eat or freeze by Monday.

Is it OK to eat turkey that's been in the fridge for 2 weeks? ›

If properly stored, raw turkey can last in the fridge for 1–2 days, while cold cuts last up to 5 days. How long does cooked turkey last in the fridge? If you have leftovers that include cooked turkey, you can expect those to last in the refrigerator for 3–4 days.

When should you throw out leftover turkey? ›

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. If you store leftovers in the freezer, they will be of best quality within 2-6 months.

Can you eat curry after 7 days? ›

For the best quality and taste, it's recommended to eat the leftovers in 1-2 days. The type of curry might effect how long it will last in the refrigerator. Chicken curry is good up to 4 days, fish curry 2 days, while coconut curry will last about 2 days due to the short shelf life of coconut milk.

Can I freeze cooked turkey after 2 days? ›

If your turkey has been properly handled, you can refrigerate and eat it for up to four days. If you are planning to freeze it, it's best to freeze it within one day of cooking for optimal texture and taste. However, leftover turkey can be frozen after three days and it will be fine.

Why does leftover curry taste better? ›

Once the dish cools down, gelatinous collagen material forms a jelly-like substance around chunks of meat. Various flavour compounds get trapped in the jelly so when the dish is reheated, the gelatine melts to create a smooth mouth-feel.

Can you eat leftover curry cold? ›

Providing you have cooled your leftovers safely and kept them in the fridge, it is absolutely fine to eat your leftovers cold straight from the fridge…. However, if you like your leftovers warm, it's important that you reheat until piping hot throughout.

Is it safe to reheat curry twice? ›

If food has been hygienically prepared, cooled quickly after cooking (or reheating) and stored cold, reheating more than once should not increase the risk of illness. However, prolonged storage and repeated reheating will affect the taste, texture, and sometimes the nutritional quality of foods.

Do I just add water to curry powder? ›

Cook chicken curry for a classic curry powder dish.

Cook ingredients like onions, garlic, tomatoes, and the curry powder in a large saucepan before adding the chicken. By adding a little water, your chicken curry will become juicier as it soaks up the spices.

What is the main spice in curry? ›

The primary ingredient in most Indian curry powders is bright yellow turmeric. Turmeric is earthy, musky, and warm, and delivers great depth to curries with no heat. Indian curry spices are usually a blend of: Kashmiri Chile Powder – this chile has a terrific, rich flavor without much heat.

Can you eat leftover turkey on the 5th day? ›

According to foodsafety.gov, a website of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the following foods are safe in the fridge: Turkey: 3-4 days. Eat turkey within three to four days of cooking. If you use the turkey in a new dish like a soup or casserole, only consume within those initial four days.

Can you reheat turkey after 5 days? ›

Leftover cooked food may be stored in the refrigerator for up to three to four days. During this time, you can reheat the leftovers to 165 °F. Be sure to return any unused portion to the refrigerator within two hours to remain safe.

Are leftovers good after 7 days? ›

Leftovers can be kept for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. After that, the risk of food poisoning goes up. If you don't think you'll be able to eat leftovers within four days, freeze them right away. Frozen leftovers will stay safe for a long time.

Can I keep a fresh turkey in the fridge for 5 days? ›

Buy a fresh turkey one to two days before the day you plan to cook. If there is a 'best-by' or 'use by' date on the manufacturer's label, then you can keep fresh poultry, unopened, in the refrigerator until that date.

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