This Leftover Turkey Curry with Coconut Milk is a perfect way to transform your leftover turkey into a flavorful, creamy, and comforting dish. Packed with aromatic spices, rich coconut milk, and hearty turkey, this curry is an easy and delicious dinner option. Whether it’s from Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any roast turkey meal, this curry is the ultimate way to use up your leftovers!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
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Quick and easy — ready in just 30 minutes
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Rich and creamy — the coconut milk adds a luscious texture to the curry
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Full of flavor — packed with curry powder, turmeric, and other aromatic spices
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Comforting and satisfying — perfect for cozy dinners and a great way to use up leftover turkey
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One-pan meal — easy to make and minimal cleanup
ingredients
(Tip: You can adjust the quantities using the scale if you want to make more servings.)
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500 g cooked turkey (cubed or shredded)
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400 g coconut milk
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2 tablespoons coconut oil
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1 tablespoon curry powder
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½ teaspoon turmeric powder
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½ cup low-sodium chicken stock
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⅓ cup tomato paste
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1 cup onions (chopped)
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1 tablespoon garlic (chopped)
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1 tablespoon ginger paste
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1 teaspoon chili paste (optional)
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1 cup frozen peas
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Fresh cilantro (for garnish)
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Salt to taste
instructions
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Cook the Aromatics:
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Heat coconut oil in a shallow skillet over medium heat.
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Add the chopped onions and sauté until soft and translucent, about 4-5 minutes.
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Add the chopped garlic and ginger paste, cooking for about 30 seconds until fragrant, stirring occasionally.
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Add the Spices:
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Add the curry powder and turmeric powder to the pan and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
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Add Tomato Paste and Chicken Stock:
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Stir in the tomato paste and chili paste (if using). Cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly to avoid burning.
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Pour in the chicken stock, deglazing the pan and stirring to combine.
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Simmer the Sauce:
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Add the coconut milk to the pan and stir to combine. Reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
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Add the Turkey and Adjust Seasoning:
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Add the cooked turkey to the pan and stir to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt. Simmer for 5-10 minutes or until the sauce has thickened to your liking.
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Add Peas and Cilantro:
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Add the frozen peas and chopped cilantro to the pan, stirring to combine. Simmer for another 2 minutes until the peas are heated through.
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Serve:
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Serve the turkey curry warm over boiled basmati rice, naan bread, or roti. Enjoy!
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Servings and timing
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Servings: 4
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Prep time: 10 minutes
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Cook time: 20 minutes
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Total time: 30 minutes
Notes
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How to store:
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Store leftover curry in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
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You can also freeze the turkey curry (as coconut milk freezes well) for up to 3 months for maximum freshness.
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Add more veggies:
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Feel free to add other vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, or spinach for added texture and flavor.
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Spice it up:
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If you want a spicier curry, add more chili paste or fresh chilies according to your taste.
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Nutrition
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Calories: 458 kcal
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Carbohydrates: 17g
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Protein: 33g
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Fat: 31g
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Saturated Fat: 25g
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Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g
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Monounsaturated Fat: 2g
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Cholesterol: 68mg
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Sodium: 459mg
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Potassium: 943mg
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Fiber: 4g
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Sugar: 7g
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Vitamin A: 651 IU
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Vitamin C: 23mg
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Calcium: 73mg
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Iron: 6mg
FAQs
1. Can I use fresh turkey instead of leftovers?
Yes, you can use fresh turkey. Simply cook the turkey first, then shred or cube it and proceed with the recipe.
2. Can I make this curry spicier?
Yes, you can increase the chili paste or add chopped fresh chilies to make the curry spicier.
3. Can I make this curry ahead of time?
Yes, this curry can be made ahead of time. It actually tastes better the next day as the flavors have more time to meld together.
4. Can I use other types of meat?
Yes, this curry is versatile. You can use chicken, beef, or lamb instead of turkey.
5. Can I make this curry dairy-free?
Yes, this recipe is already dairy-free, thanks to the use of coconut milk, making it suitable for lactose-intolerant individuals or those following a dairy-free diet.
Conclusion
This Leftover Turkey Curry with Coconut Milk is the perfect way to turn your leftover turkey into a delicious and comforting meal. With a rich coconut milk base, aromatic spices, and juicy turkey, this curry will become a go-to recipe for those holiday leftovers. Whether you’re looking for a quick dinner or a flavorful dish to impress guests, this recipe has you covered!
PrintLeftover Turkey Curry with Coconut Milk
Transform your leftover turkey into a creamy, flavorful curry with this Leftover Turkey Curry with Coconut Milk recipe. Packed with aromatic spices, coconut milk, and tender turkey, this dish is rich, comforting, and quick to make. In just 30 minutes, you’ll have a satisfying meal perfect for using up holiday leftovers like turkey from Thanksgiving or Christmas. Whether served over rice, naan, or roti, this curry is sure to become a family favorite.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: chicken
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
500 g cooked turkey (cubed or shredded)
400 g coconut milk
2 tablespoons coconut oil
1 tablespoon curry powder
½ teaspoon turmeric powder
½ cup low-sodium chicken stock
⅓ cup tomato paste
1 cup onions (chopped)
1 tablespoon garlic (chopped)
1 tablespoon ginger paste
1 teaspoon chili paste (optional)
1 cup frozen peas
Fresh cilantro (for garnish)
Salt to taste
Instructions
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Cook the Aromatics: Heat coconut oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onions and sauté until soft, about 4-5 minutes. Stir in chopped garlic and ginger paste, cooking for about 30 seconds.
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Add the Spices: Stir in curry powder and turmeric, cooking for 30 seconds until fragrant.
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Add Tomato Paste and Chicken Stock: Stir in tomato paste and chili paste (if using), cooking for 2 minutes. Add chicken stock to deglaze the pan.
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Simmer the Sauce: Add coconut milk, stir to combine, and let the sauce simmer for 10 minutes on low heat, stirring occasionally.
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Add the Turkey: Add the leftover turkey and stir. Simmer for 5-10 minutes until the sauce thickens.
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Add Peas and Cilantro: Stir in frozen peas and chopped cilantro. Simmer for another 2 minutes until peas are heated through.
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Serve: Serve the curry warm over basmati rice, naan, or roti.
Notes
- Storage: Store leftover curry in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months.
- Add More Veggies: Feel free to add vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, or spinach for added texture and nutrition.
- Adjust Spice Level: For a spicier curry, increase the chili paste or add fresh chilies to taste.
- Alternative Meat: You can substitute turkey with chicken, beef, or lamb if you prefer.