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{Note from Jessica: Today’s post is shared by my sweet friend Renee, author of Raising Generation Nourished. We became friends several years ago and I am continually impressed with her desire to help change the world, starting with our newest generation. Real food has to be core of our health and should start in the womb. Considering this is the first time in history that our children are expected to die before us, something HAS to change. I’m honored to call her a friend. I hope you’ll stop by her site, Raising Generation Nourished, and say hello!}
I suppose it is probably just the foodie in me, but Thanksgiving is my very favorite holiday of the year.
Even long before I was a “foodie,” I seriously looked forward to turkey, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie as a kid. My grandma would be up before everyone in the house basting that turkey, and no matter how crowded her little house would be, there was always enough food to stuff everyone, and still have leftovers!
We enjoy a large pastured turkey every year now from our local farmer, and there is always plenty of leftover turkey – here is how I handle it to get the most bang for my buck out of our bird!
SHRED & FREEZE THE TURKEY MEAT
Camp out at the kitchen table with your spouse, kiddo, or willing guest and chat while you pull that bird apart! Shred it as you go along and freeze it in portions you think you will use. I don’t measure but I do a heaping handful in a pint freezer bag, and then put all of those pint bags into a gallon freezer bag. That way I can just pull out enough turkey for a soup, stew, stir fry, or round of sandwiches!
Leftover turkey meat can get dry fast, so my main goal is to put anything that I will be using within a couple days into the fridge, and the rest I freeze right away to lock in the moisture.
MAKE TURKEY BONE BROTH
Turkey broth is *delicious*! It rarely even gets to my freezer – my girls drink it right from the mug with a pinch of sea salt and little bit of butter. Bone broth is filled with minerals and gut healing gelatin – use up that whole bird!
Turkey bones are pretty big compared to chicken bones, but the process is the same as making chicken broth. Just follow the directions in this simple slow cooker bone broth recipe!
I use my large oven roaster since the bones are so big, but if all you have is a slow cooker, you can make your broth in “rounds” – you can freeze the bones that don’t fit into your slow cooker and use them for another round later. Before I had an oven roaster, I would just break up the bones that I had as much as I could to fit into my slow cooker. You could also simmer the broth in a large stockpot stovetop style.
You can also use an Instant Pot, which is Jessica’s favorite way to make bone broth. You can learn more about the Instant Pot in her thorough review here or find them on Amazon if you are interesting in snagging one (sometimes they have some amazing deals!). Learn more about making bone broth in an Instant Pot or pressure cooker here.
If you don’t have time to get to your broth right away, just freeze the bones! Pop them into freezer bags and pull them back out when you are ready!
LEFTOVER MEALS!
Leftover turkey is delicious on sandwiches (try this gluten free pita!) and in salads.
My favorite way to use it is in soups. I usually use my gluten free chicken noodle soup recipe, swapping the chicken for turkey and the chicken broth for turkey broth! It is so rich and delicious!
But don’t take it from me! Check out these other great turkey leftover ideas from some of our favorite bloggers!
Turkey Sandwich with Cranberry Sauce from The Organic Kitchen
Grain Free Roasted Turkey & Apple Grilled Cheese from Colorful Eats Nutrition
Chicken Pot Pie Sliders (Swap turkey for the chicken) from She Eats
Thanksgiving Panini from The Provision Room
Primal Chicken Salad (sub turkey for the chicken) from Flabs To Fitness
Buffalo Chicken Bacon Ranch Salad (Sub turkey for the chicken) by Don’t Waste The Crumbs
Quinoa Turkey Salad With Lemon Vinegarette from Food Hunter’s Guide
Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad from Life Currents
Leftover Turkey Crunchy Chinese Salad from Scratch Mommy
Thai Turkey Hot & Sour Egg Drop Soup from Farm Fresh Feasts
GF Chicken Noodle Soup (swap turkey for the chicken) from Raising Generation Nourished
Autumn Harvest Chicken Stew (swap turkey for the chicken) from Raising Generation Nourished
Turkey Soup With Sweet Potato & Peas from Everyday Maven
Easy One-Pot Turkey Noodle Soup from Scratch Mommy
Turkey, Rice, & Kale Soup from Raia’s Recipes
Turkey Pot Pie from Flabs To Fitness
Paleo Thanksgiving For Two Stuffed Squash from Primal Desire
Buffalo Chicken Pizza (Sub turkey for the chicken) from Don’t Waste The Crumbs
Chicken & Spinach Enchiladas (Sub turkey for the chicken) from Don’t Waste The Crumbs
Turkey Enchilada Casserole from Dr. Karen S. Lee
Turkey Pot Pie from Dr. Karen S. Lee
Leftover Turkey Shepherd’s Pie from Paleo in PDX
Turkey Tetrazzini from Paleo in PDX
Thanksgiving Leftover Poutine from Farm Fresh Feasts
Turkey Pesto Olive Feta Pizza from Farm Fresh Feasts
Turkey Pesto Spinach Pizza from Farm Fresh Feasts
Turkey Divan by Farm Fresh Feasts
Turkey & Kale Divan from Farm Fresh Feasts
Savory Turkey Rice from Raia’s Recipes
Thanksgiving Leftovers Hash from The Provision Room
Leftover Turkey Pot Pie from The Ground Up
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