Learn how easy it is to make Turkey Stock from the bones of your Thanksgiving turkey! All you need is a picked over turkey carcass and some vegetables and herbs that you probably already have on hand from cooking your turkey. You are going to love using this flavorful turkey stock in your next soup! Originally posted November 21, 2012.
The people in the apartment above us vacuum about once a week. (It’s pretty loud because the insulation in our apartment building is practically nil.) Every time I think to myself, Are they vacuuming again?? And then I immediately remind myself: Yes Karen, most people vacuum more than once every 3 months like you.
Anyway. Now that you’re feeling so good about yourself compared to me. We have news! We just found out we are having a baby BOY!! I’m still in complete shock. I was convinced it was a girl. (I think I just told myself that because I didn’t want to have to repaint Charlotte’s room.) Also, I thought Charlotte was a boy, so maybe my mother’s intuition is just in a state of perpetual Opposite-Day-ness. We are so excited to have a little boy!
For now I’m focusing on doing some toddler training before the baby gets here. Whose idea was it to let our toddlers sleep on mini trampolines? Charlotte’s favorite thing to do is jump in her crib (which, by the way, makes it not quite as formidable a time-out spot). You would not believe the height she gets. I know she is up from her nap not when she cries, but when I can hear the springs of her mattress getting a workout. One of these days she is going to go sailing over the edge. I should start lining the floor with pillows.
Have you guys decorated for Christmas yet? I broke down over the weekend. There is nothing better than a lit Christmas tree, yes, even the week before Thanksgiving!!
But don’t worry Thanksgiving, I am still SUPER excited about you. I made my first turkey last week, and wanted to get every last bit out of that bird as I could, so I decided to make some turkey stock. It was super easy. Throw everything in a pot and forget about it for a few hours. And man is it good! This stock makes the BEST soup. My favorite is to use the stock to make this Creamy Turkey Wild Rice Soup. Here’s what you’re going to need, hopefully you have most of this stuff leftover from your Thanksgiving shopping!
After spending hours roasting a turkey for Thanksgiving or another holiday, it seems a shame to just toss out the carcass With a little effort, you can transform the bones, tendons, and scraps into a rich, flavorful turkey stock that will make your soups, stews, gravies, and other dishes taste amazing
Making your own turkey stock is easy, economical, and lets you get the most out of your holiday bird. Here are 19 delicious ways to use up every last drop of your homemade turkey stock:
Soups
Rich, savory turkey stock is perfect for making hearty soups for chilly weather Try using it in these comforting soup recipes
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Turkey Noodle Soup – A classic, soothing soup with turkey, carrots, celery, noodles and fresh herbs simmered in turkey stock. Kids and adults alike will love this easy dinner.
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Turkey and Wild Rice Soup – The earthy flavor of wild rice pairs beautifully with turkey in this creamy soup.
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Turkey Tortilla Soup – Southwest flavors like corn black beans peppers and spices make this spicy turkey soup a fun twist. Top with avocado, cheese and tortilla chips.
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Turkey and Vegetable Barley Soup – Turkey stock gives great flavor to this hearty soup loaded with carrots, peas, spinach and pearl barley.
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Turkey Posole – Hominy, chili powder and cilantro flavor this Mexican-inspired turkey and veggie soup.
Stews
For cold weather meals, braised turkey stews made with stock are hard to beat. Try:
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Turkey Chili – Ground turkey and beans simmered in tomatoes and chili seasoning makes a meaty, protein-packed chili.
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Turkey and White Bean Stew – This easy one-pot meal has cannellini beans, spinach and carrots in an herb-flavored broth.
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Turkey Pot Pie Stew – A cozy rendition of chicken pot pie as a stew, with peas, carrots and biscuit topping.
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Turkey and Dumplings – Fluffy dough dumplings cook right in the savory turkey gravy for old-fashioned comfort food.
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Turkey Tagine – Warm Moroccan spices like cumin and cinnamon add bold flavor to this stew with chickpeas and apricots.
Gravy
No Thanksgiving meal is complete without turkey gravy for the mashed potatoes and stuffing. Simmering pan drippings with turkey stock concentrates the flavor.
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Easy Turkey Gravy – This foolproof recipe uses flour and pan drippings for rich, silky gravy in minutes.
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Giblet Turkey Gravy – For the most flavor, simmer the turkey giblets in stock and use it as the base of your gravy.
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Sausage Turkey Gravy – Browning spicy sausage gives this gravy incredible savory depth.
Risottos
The starch from Arborio rice combines with turkey stock to create creamy, comforting risottos. Vegetables or turkey elevate the flavor.
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Butternut Squash Risotto – Sweet squash and sage balance the earthy mushrooms and stock.
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Turkey and Mushroom Risotto – Sautéed mushrooms add meatiness to this risotto with turkey and Parmesan.
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Leftover Turkey Risotto – Diced leftover turkey transforms basic risotto into a hearty main dish.
Sauces and Glazes
Use stock to build depth of flavor in savory sauces for meats, pastas and vegetables:
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Turkey or Mushroom Gravy – An easy stovetop gravy to serve over anything.
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Turkey Cranberry Sauce – Purée fresh or frozen cranberries with orange zest and sugar.
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Turkey Pan Sauce – Deglaze the pan after cooking meat with wine and stock for an instant sauce.
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Turkey Pot Pie – Mix stock into the creamy sauce with veggies to pour over biscuit-topped pie.
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Roast Turkey Brine – Soak the raw turkey in saltwater and stock to infuse flavor and moisture.
Cooking Grains and Beans
In place of plain water, cook grains and beans in turkey stock for extra savory flavor. Try making:
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Quinoa or brown rice to serve with stir fries or curries.
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Barley or farro salads loaded with vegetables, herbs and nuts.
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Hearty lentil or chickpea soups.
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Rice and bean burrito bowls.
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Risotto as mentioned above.
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Turkey stock absorbs the collagen released from the turkey bones. In fact, turkey bone broth is best when you can easily break the bones in half. The liquid will gel or thicken once refrigerated but will return to a liquid when heated.
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For freezing, we like to separate the stock into freezer-friendly cup or pint containers, or zip-top bags for easy use.
With a little creativity, leftover turkey stock can transform your cooking. Try making one of these comforting soups, stews or grain dishes to put every last drop to delicious use. Your taste buds will thank you.
How to store this Turkey Stock Recipe (Does it freeze well?)
Properly sealed, turkey stock stores for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. If I’m using it with a few days, I like to store it in quart mason jars.
This stock freezes really well! You can keep it in the freezer for 4-6 months. I always freeze in large ziplock bags. Thaw in the fridge or add partially thawed stock straight to your soup.
What is the difference between Turkey Broth and Turkey Stock?
They’re the same thing, right?? Almost. Stock is:
- always cooked from bones
- often gels when it cools due from the bone marrow (today’s recipe will gel)
- is usually left unseasoned (there is no salt in today’s recipe)
- cooks for longer (usually 3-6 hours depending on the recipe)
Broth:
- can be made from meat without bones
- is seasoned with salt
- is usually cooked in less than 2 hours
Get The Most Out Of Your Turkey: How To Make Turkey Stock
FAQ
What is turkey broth good for?
How long can I keep turkey stock in the fridge?
Can you use turkey stock instead of chicken?