This hearty turkey stew made with leftover turkey, bacon, leeks, carrots and potatoes is the comfort food your colder nights need! You can add a splash of cream or keep it as it is. Either way you will love this delicious and cozy recipe.
This turkey stew is a meal in itself but it would taste infinitely better is paired with our Dutch Oven Bread. If you don’t have time to make a yeasted bread, try our easy Honey Buckwheat Soda Bread.
Not long ago I asked my readers about their cold weather cravings. What did they reach for more often? Soups, stews or casseroles?
Soup came on top, followed by a stew. No surprises here, we all long for hearty meals that warms us up from the inside when the weather gets chilly.
As much as I love soups, I have to admit that my preferences will always lie with stews. I am not sure what it is but it might have to do with the texture. I find thick and robust stews fill me with all the comfort and joy I need.
What do you put in a stew?
Anything you have in your fridge and pantry. Stews are excellent for getting rid of leftovers and are a very frugal way to feed a family.
Generally tougher cuts of meat and root vegetables like carrots, potatoes, parsnips, etc are used in stews as they require longer cooking times. Longer cooking time help stews develop delicious flavours.
Stews are also very similar to soups. The only difference is the ingredients are cooked in less liquid, so they are stewing together rather than being boiled/simmered in a liquid like soups.
The stew recipe I am sharing today was inspired by turkey leftovers I had to deal with rather quickly. I made a leftover turkey soup for all soup lovers and turkey a la king for a bit of nostalgia. And I also made a turkey stew for myself in hopes you would love it too.
Apart from leftover turkey meat I added leeks, carrots, bacon lardons for a bit of smokiness, thyme and bay leaves for extra flavour and large potato chunks.
I couldn’t decide whether I wanted to add cream to my turkey stew or leave it dairy free, so I’ve tried both ways.
Here is what my stew looked like straight from the oven. It’s nice, thick and incredibly flavourful.
At this point you can stir in ⅓ cup of double/heavy cream, which will make your stew so much more luxurious!
Tender turkey, large chunks of carrots and potatoes swimming in silky smooth gravy. I can’t imagine a better meal in colder months than this creamy leftover turkey stew!
However, if you want to keep this stew dairy free, it’s is just as delicious and less calorific without the cream. You choice!
More delicious stew recipes from around the world
- Irish Beef Stew
- Russian Sweet and Sour Beef Stew “Solyanka”
- Hungarian Beef Goulash
- Italian Chicken Stew
- French Beef Bourguignon
- Texas Style Chili Recipe
- Vietnamese Beef Stew
Hearty Turkey Stew
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp butter
- 100g/4-5 strips, bacon lardons or thick cut bacon sliced
- 1 leek
- 2 carrots cut into large pieces
- 2 stalks celery diced
- 2 cloves garlic pressed
- 2 tbsp flour, heaped
- 1 litre/4 cups chicken or turkey stock
- 250g/2 cups cooker turkey or chicken
- 2 potatoes, large cut into large pieces
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves or 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tbsp fresh chopped parsley
- salt and pepper to taste
- 80ml/1/3 cup double/heavy cream (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the bacon in 1 tbsp of butter( if using bacon lardons) in a large Dutch Oven over medium heat. Omit the butter if using fatty bacon (especially true for the US readers). Drain excess bacon fat but 2 tbsp. Add sliced leeks, carrots, celery and thyme and cook for 5 minutes over medium low heat, add pressed garlic and cook for 1 minute longer.
- Add 2 heaped tablespoons of flour and mix, then add the stock gradually scraping down the bottom of the pot, bring to a boil, add salt and pepper to taste.
- Add 2 potatoes in large chunks, turkey, bay leaves and and cook uncovered in the preheated oven at 350F for 45 minutes.
- Once the stew is cooked, stir in double/heavy cream if desired. Sprinkle with chopped parsley before serving.
Kat says
Delicious! I cut it in half, and it was the perfect amount. Super flavorful.
Elizabeth Mulgrew says
My husband, the Official Food Taster, said this is delicious! Chock full of all kinds of tasty things! Cook some turkey just so you can use the leftovers in this stew. Just one criticism, I thought the broth could be thicker as this is a stew not soup. Next time I will add more flour to thicken it. Other than that, this is perfect! Thank you Julia!
Julia Frey (Vikalinka) says
So glad you both enjoyed it, Elizabeth!!
PJ says
Made today with homemade turkey stock. Based on what I had on hand, I used onions instead of leeks and Canadian bacon instead of regular. It was absolutely wonderful, great depth of flavor. One of the best soups I have made in a long time. Definitely a keeper!
Julia Frey (Vikalinka) says
Thanks so much for leaving a review, PJ. I am so glad you loved this recipe!
Kim says
Julia, this was delicious and so flavorful! I couldn’t find any leeks, so I subbed with shallots and used my home made turkey broth! A perfect bowl for when there’s a chill in the air. This recipe is a keeper.
Julia Frey (Vikalinka) says
Thanks so much for your lovely comment, Kim! I am so glad you loved this stew.
TJB says
We adore this stew and make it often! I use the gravy from my turkey, which is the rich broth from the bottom of the roaster which is thickened with a slurry of flour and water so essentially the same thing! S
Julia Frey (Vikalinka) says
Oh yes, the turkey gravy would make this stew so flavourful!! Such a good way to put your leftover gravy to good use.
Manda says
Hello!
Mine is in the oven right now.
If I plan to freeze some, do I add the cream before freezing or add when I eat?
Julia Frey (Vikalinka) says
It makes no difference really, Manda. You can do it before or after.
Shari says
I made this after Thanksgiving and Christmas this year and it was delicious both times. Such good comfort food and a way to use up leftover turkey!
Julia Frey (Vikalinka) says
That makes me so happy, Shari! Thank you for your wonderful review.
Nina says
What if I don’t have a Dutch oven can I just leave it on the stove to cook for 45 minutes?
Julia Frey (Vikalinka) says
It doesn’t have to be a Dutch oven, any oven proof pot will do, Nina. You can simmer it on a stovetop but you will get better results in the oven.
Cynthia says
This is an excellent recipe for leftover Thanksgiving turkey. I added a small diced white onion and a minced Serrano pepper to the sauté step for a little heat. I will definitely be making this again. Thank you for sharing this recipe.
Julia Frey (Vikalinka) says
Thank you for such a lovely review, Cynthia!
Marleine says
Such an easy and delicious stew! I especially liked a small amount of bacon that added such nice flavour!
vikalinka says
So happy to hear you loved it!
Susan sk says
Made this today. Did the creamy version. Absolutely delish! Will be following you!
Julia Frey (Vikalinka) says
I am thrilled to hear it, Susan!