Leftover turkey curry

Name: Leftover turkey curry
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 55 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Yield: 4 serving(s)
Ingredients: 1 tbsp. oil; 25g butter; 1 large onion, sliced; 1cm ginger, grated; 2 garlic cloves, crushed; 1 red chilli, finely chopped; 1 tsp. each ground cumin, garam masala, ground coriander and black onion seeds; 1/2 tsp. turmeric; 1 x 400g tin chopped tomatoes; 200 mL coconut milk; 250 mL chicken stock; 300g leftover, shredded turkey; 1 x 400g tin chickpeas, rinsed and drained

Use up your Christmas leftovers and pantry staples in this comforting, spiced curry.

By Ailsa BurtUpdated: 22 August 2023

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Found yourself with leftover turkey on your hands? This delicately spiced curry recipe relies on storecupboard staples and makes a welcome change from traditional festive foods. Serve with basmati rice, warm naan bread and a generous dollop of our quick mango relish.

Find more of our favourite turkey recipes for Christmas and beyond.

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Yields:

4 serving(s)

Prep Time:

15 mins

Cook Time:

55 mins

Total Time:

1 hr 10 mins

Cal/Serv:

405

Ingredients

1 Tbsp.
oil
25g butter
1
large onion, sliced
1cm ginger, grated
2
garlic cloves, crushed
1
red chilli, finely chopped
1 tsp.
each ground cumin, garam masala, ground coriander and black onion seeds
1/2 tsp.
turmeric
1 x 400g tin chopped tomatoes
200 ml
coconut milk
250 ml
chicken stock
300g leftover, shredded turkey
1 x 400g tin chickpeas, rinsed and drained

Directions

1. Step 1Heat the oil and butter in a deep saucepan and stir in the onion. Season and cook over a medium heat for 5min until starting to colour. Turn down the heat and add the ginger, garlic and chilli. Cook for another 2min. Stir in the cumin, garam masala, ground coriander, onion seeds and turmeric. Cook for a further 5min.
2. Step 2Stir in the chopped tomatoes, coconut milk and chicken stock and bring to the boil. Turn the heat down and simmer for 20min, stirring occasionally. Stir in the shredded turkey and chickpeas and cook for another 20min. Season and serve with naan.

How to safely store leftover turkey: It’s imperative you keep your leftover cooked turkey in the fridge or freezer. Refrigerate or freeze any leftovers within 90min of cooking it and make sure it’s covered, either in an airtight container or wrap well with cling film. You can keep your turkey refrigerated for up to two days, and frozen for up to 1 month.

How to defrost frozen turkey: Defrost your turkey in the fridge overnight. You can't refreeze cooked meat more than once, so it’s best to freeze in portions in order to only defrost as much as you need.

Reheating cooked turkey: Make sure that when you’re reheating leftover turkey, that it’s piping hot throughout and never reheat cooked turkey more than once. This recipe would also work well with leftover chicken, lamb shank or shoulder or a vegetarian alternative, such as Quorn.

Here we advise you on how to store any other Christmas leftovers you might have.