Turkey à la King is a creamy, savory way to turn leftover turkey into a completely new dinner. Tender turkey is simmered with onions, red pepper, mushrooms, garlic, and a rich cream sauce, then finished with a little paprika and fresh parsley.
The sauce is flavorful enough to spoon over something simple, which makes this recipe especially versatile. Serve it over rice, pasta, biscuits, or garlic bread depending on what you have available.
Why Leftover Turkey Works So Well Here
Turkey à la King is an ideal leftover recipe because the turkey doesn’t need to cook from raw. It’s added after the stock and vegetables have already developed their flavor, so the main goal is simply to warm the turkey through without drying it out.
That also makes this a good recipe for leftover turkey that has already been sliced or cubed. The creamy sauce gives the meat additional moisture as everything comes together.
Turkey A La King Recipe
Equipment
- Saute Pan
- Wooden Spoon or Spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Chef's knife
- Cutting Board
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp butter or olive oil
- 1 onion chopped
- 1 red pepper diced
- 300g chestnut mushrooms
- 1-2 cloves garlic
- 1 tbsp flour
- 75 ml (⅓ cup) Madeira or Sherry wine
- 125 ml (½ cup chicken stock
- 450 g (3 cups) cubed cooked turkey or chicken
- 250 ml (1 cup) double / heavy cream
- ½ tsp paprika
- 1 tbsp chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Spread the butter out in a deep, big pan. Then, add the red pepper and onion, and cook them over low heat for 10 minutes, until they are soft.
- After 5 minutes, add the sliced mushrooms and cook for another minute. Then, add the chopped garlic and stir-fry for another 30 seconds. Finally, add a pinch of salt to cover everything.
- Add the flour and butter and mix them together. Cover the veggies with the paste and cook for a few more minutes.
- Add the Madeira or Sherry to deglaze the pan and scrape the bottom to get rid of the burned bits. Keep cooking over medium-low heat until the wine reduces in size.
- Add the chicken stock and bring to a slow boil. Put in the cubed turkey, paprika, and double cream. Warm the sauce up for about 10 minutes, or until it reaches the consistency you want. Add salt to taste.
- Add chopped fresh parsley on top before serving.
- Serve.
Notes
- Use leftover cooked turkey for this recipe to make the most of your holiday leftovers.
- Customize the vegetables in this dish based on your preferences or what you have on hand. Common additions include mushrooms, bell peppers, and peas.
- Adjust the thickness of the sauce by adding more or less chicken broth or cream, depending on your preference.
- Serve Turkey à la King over rice, pasta, biscuits, or toast points for a hearty and satisfying meal.
- Garnish with chopped parsley or paprika for a pop of color and added flavor.
Nutrition Facts
| Nutrition | Value |
|---|---|
| Calories | 573kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 64g |
| Protein | 53g |
| Fat | 20g |
| Saturated Fat | 11mg |
| Sodium | 228mg |
| Iron | 6mg |
| Calcium | 286mg |
| Vitamin A | 1457IU |
| Potassium | 6301mg |
How to Control the Sauce Consistency
Turkey à la King should have a creamy sauce that is thick enough to coat the turkey and vegetables but still loose enough to spoon over rice, pasta, biscuits, or toast.
If the sauce becomes too thick, add a little more chicken stock or cream.
If it is too thin, let it simmer a little longer so some of the liquid can evaporate.
Remember that the sauce will continue to thicken slightly as it cools.
Try More Turkey Recipes
Easy Vegetable Variations
The recipe already contains onion, red pepper, and mushrooms, but you can adapt the vegetables according to what you have available.
Peas are a particularly natural addition because their sweetness works well with the creamy sauce. You can also adjust the amount of bell pepper or mushrooms to suit your preference.
The important thing is to avoid adding too many watery vegetables at once, as excess moisture can thin the sauce.
Can You Make Turkey à la King Gluten-Free?
The recipe is naturally easy to adapt, but the listed version uses all-purpose flour to thicken the sauce.
For a gluten-free version, replace the all-purpose flour with a suitable 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Also check the labels of packaged stock and other ingredients to make sure they are gluten-free.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use chicken instead of turkey?
Yes. The recipe specifically allows cubed cooked turkey or chicken, so cooked chicken is an easy substitute. - Can I use leftover Thanksgiving turkey?
Absolutely. That’s one of the best reasons to make Turkey à la King. It transforms leftover roasted turkey into a creamy new meal. - What can I serve with Turkey à la King?
Serve it over rice, pasta, biscuits, or toast points. Each option works well with the creamy sauce. - Can I use a different mushroom?
Yes. Chestnut mushrooms are listed in the recipe, but another mild mushroom can be used if needed. - How do I make the sauce thicker?
Let it simmer longer so some of the liquid evaporates. You can also adjust the balance of chicken stock and cream as noted in the recipe. - Can I add peas?
Yes. Peas are one of the suggested vegetable additions and pair nicely with the creamy turkey sauce. - Can I prepare Turkey à la King ahead?
It can be prepared ahead and gently reheated. Because the sauce contains cream, reheat it over low to medium-low heat and stir occasionally to help maintain a smooth texture.
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The Freshman Cook started as a place to keep track of recipes I wanted to make again. Somewhere along the way, it grew into a collection of meals that friends requested, desserts that disappeared too quickly, and weeknight dinners that made life a little easier.
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