My favorite use for leftover Thanksgiving turkey
I’ve kidnapped my mom this holiday season. She will be with me for both Thanksgiving and Christmas this year (how lucky am I?!). That means my poor family remaining in Arizona will be without my mom’s amazing holiday staple this year – her Green Chili Turkey.
This is a dish my mom has made every single year for both Thanksgiving and Christmas since I can remember. In fact, growing up my mom cooked two turkeys every year for each holiday – one completely dedicated to this dish, the other to roast and serve traditionally. Guess which one was gone first?
Since moving away from home I found this to be my absolute favorite use for any leftover turkey we have after Thanksgiving Day. I just serve it up with some rice and it makes for a light and delicious post-Thanksgiving lunch. Sometimes I like to serve it with tortillas on the side to make mini tacos.
So to all my family back in Arizona, I may have mom this year, but now you have her signature recipe. Of course it won’t be the same without mom’s special touch. But it’s pretty darn close. Now who’s going to be the one responsible for making it this year?
It’s incredibly easy to make.
You start by heating up a tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet set to medium heat. Add onions and bell peppers and cook about 5 minutes, just to soften them. Add garlic, cook one more minute.
Next, make a quick slurry. While the onions and peppers are softening, mix 2 tablespoons of flour with ½ cup of water and shake until the flour is dissolved into the water). Add to the peppers/onion mixture. Add the bouillon now and let it dissolve.
As I’ve mentioned in prior posts about my moms recipes, she has a thing for bouillon cubes. She swears by them in many of her recipes. This one is no exception. I have at least converted her to using organic gluten free bouillon with no MSG. I don’t ask questions when it comes to moms cooking. I just eat it.
Add more water. Let it simmer until the sauce starts to thicken (about 5 minutes).
Finally, add the leftover turkey, sliced roasted green chilies, spices, and let simmer some more.
Adjust seasonings and level of heat to your preference.
Done!
Ingredients
- ½ large onion (or 1 small onion), sliced
- 1 medium sized green bell pepper, sliced
- 2 large garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons flour (all purpose or gluten free AP mix)
- 1 ½ cups water (separated in half)
- 1 vegetable bouillon cube (or bouillon substitute)
- 4 roasted Anaheim green chilies (seeds included), sliced – or 1 small can of diced green chilies.
- 4 cups of leftover turkey, shredded
- ½ teaspoon each salt and pepper
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional to add additional heat)
Instructions
- In a large skillet heat 1 tablespoon olive oil to medium heat. Add onions and bell peppers and cook about 5 minutes, just to soften them.
- Add garlic, and cook one additional minute.
- While the onions and peppers are softening, make the slurry. Mix the two tablespoons of flour with ½ cup of water and shake until the flour is dissolved into the water). Add to the peppers/onion mixture. Add the bouillon now and let it dissolve. Let it simmer until the sauce starts to thicken (about 5 minutes).
- Add the remaining 1 cup of water, turkey meat, and green chilies, and mix to combine.
- If the sauce is too thick, add more water (or chicken stock) to thin out to a consistency you desire.
- Season with the salt and pepper and red pepper flakes.
How to serve?
- My favorite way to serve this dish is alongside rice. The rice soaks up the juicy and flavorful broth. It makes for a light, fresh, and flavorful lunch.
- I also like to serve them with corn tortillas and a side of home cooked beans and salsa and make mini tacos.
- Use as a filling for burritos.
- It makes for a killer huevos ranchero for a hearty breakfast.
- Green Chili Nachos… mmmmm. Need I say more?
- This also makes for an excellent topping for cheese enchiladas! Just roll up some corn tortillas with shredded cheddar, top with the green chili turkey and some extra cheese, and bake in a 375 degree oven for about 15 minutes, or until the cheese starts to get bubbly. We made these for dinner last night and the family devoured them.
To all my family and friends back home, and to all my amazing and supportive readers, have a very happy Thanksgiving!
Now I have a question for you? What is your favorite use of leftover Thanksgiving turkey?
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If you missed yesterdays post all about what wine to serve with Thanksgiving, click here.
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