The holiday season is synonymous with delicious roasted turkey. After you’ve picked the meat off the bones, you’re often left staring at the carcass wondering – what do I do with this? While some choose to discard it, a turkey carcass is actually a versatile ingredient that can elevate soups, stocks, and more with its savory flavor.
As a chef and food blogger, I never let my turkey carcasses go to waste Over the years, I’ve discovered many delicious ways to repurpose this Thanksgiving leftover and make the most of my holiday bird In this article, I’ll share my top 9 favorite recipes and techniques for using up a turkey carcass.
Make Turkey Stock
One of the simplest ways to use your turkey carcass is to simmer it into a rich, flavorful turkey stock. This method extracts all the remaining juices and gelatin from the bones to create a tasty base for soups, gravies, risotto and more.
It only requires a few basic ingredients
- Turkey carcass
- Water
- Aromatics like onions, carrots, celery, garlic, and herbs
Simply place the carcass in a large stock pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer for at least 1 hour. Strain out the solids and you’re left with a delicious turkey stock loaded with meaty flavor! I like to portion and freeze my homemade stock in freezer bags so I can use it all season long.
Turkey Carcass Soup
For an easy, hearty soup, simply simmer the carcass in water with veggies like carrots, onion, and celery, then remove the bones and add egg noodles or rice. Season to taste with salt, pepper, and herbs. Shred and add any leftover turkey meat to make it even heartier.
This soup balances the rich, savory flavor of the carcass with fresh veggies and pasta or grains. It’s so cozy and comforting on chilly nights!
Turkey and White Bean Chili
Chili is the perfect way to highlight the rich, meaty flavor of a cooked turkey carcass. Simmer the bones in broth along with onion, garlic, spices, and canned white beans. Shred leftover turkey and stir it in at the end for a hearty texture.
The smoky, savory flavor of the carcass pairs deliciously with the creamy white beans. Serve this chili with tortilla chips, avocado, cheese, and lime wedges for a complete meal.
Turkey Congee
Congee is a Chinese rice porridge traditionally made with chicken. But turkey works beautifully too! Simmer the carcass with aromatics to make a stock, then remove the bones. Add rice and shredded turkey meat, and simmer until the rice breaks down into a creamy porridge.
I love congee topped with scallions, fried shallots, chili oil, and pickled vegetables. It’s incredibly soothing and easy on the stomach – perfect for chilly mornings or when you’re feeling under the weather.
Turkey and Dumplings
For an old-fashioned, hearty dish, make turkey and dumplings! This one-pot meal features fluffy dumplings simmered right in the flavorful turkey broth.
Simply add carrots, celery and onion to the broth along with wide egg noodles or biscuit dough dumplings. Sprinkle leftover turkey meat on top before serving. It’s down home comfort food at its finest!
Turkey Bone Broth
Bone broth has become hugely popular for its potential health benefits. Simmering bones for 24-48 hours extracts minerals like calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium. The collagen may also help improve gut health.
While you can make bone broth with any animal bones, turkey has a deliciously savory, lighter flavor compared to beef or chicken. Simmer your turkey carcass for at least 24 hours with some vinegar added to help draw out the minerals and collagen.
Turkey Pot Pie
For the ultimate comfort food, use your turkey carcass to make a flavorful pot pie filling. Simmer the carcass with onions, carrots, celery, peas, and parsley until tender. Discard the bones, then add milk or cream to the pot along with shredded turkey meat.
Pour this savory filling into a pie crust, top with another crust or biscuits, and bake until golden. With its creamy filling and flaky crust, this pot pie is turkey comfort food at its finest!
Turkey Tortilla Soup
Tortilla soup is a great way to use every last bit of flavor from your holiday bird. Simmer the carcass with tomatoes, onions, garlic, and chili peppers. Shred leftover turkey and stir it in at the end along with corn, beans, and strips of tortilla.
Top each bowl with avocado, shredded cheese, cilantro, and lime. The lime brightens all the rich flavors perfectly.
Turkey Enchiladas
Shredded turkey mixed with a red chili sauce makes for amazing enchiladas. Simmer the carcass to make an flavorful chili sauce base. Discard bones, then add tomatoes, onion, garlic, and spices to the sauce along with shredded leftover meat.
Spoon the mixture into tortillas, top with cheese, and bake until bubbly. The savory turkey pairs perfectly with the tomatoey chili sauce. Serve with beans, rice, guacamole, and more for an amazing Mexican meal.
As you can see, a turkey carcass can be used in so many more ways than just stock. With a little creativity, it can be transformed into hearty soups, stews, pot pies, and more. Not only do these dishes highlight the delicious roasted turkey flavor, they also help reduce food waste and stretch your holiday bird even further.
I hope these recipes have inspired you to view your Thanksgiving turkey carcass as an opportunity, rather than a chore. There’s no need to throw it away when you can turn it into so many mouthwatering leftover dishes your whole family will love. Get creative with your carcass this holiday season and savor every last bit of flavor from your turkey!
