Nothing beats turning yesterday’s dinner into today’s comfort food, and this Creamy Leftover Turkey Stew is the best example of why those post-holiday meals are secretly the most exciting. Imagine a bubbling pot brimming with juicy morsels of turkey, velvet-smooth broth, bright veggies, and herbs — all brought together with a splash of cream and finished in just about half an hour. This is the kind of cozy, hearty dish that feels both restful and celebratory, whether you pile it over mashed potatoes or simply enjoy it with a spoon. If you’re ready to upgrade your leftovers, this is the one recipe you’ll want to keep on repeat.

Creamy Leftover Turkey Stew Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in Creamy Leftover Turkey Stew plays an essential role, so don’t be tempted to skip! From the aromatic base to that finishing swirl of cream, these pantry staples lift humble leftovers to full-on comfort food status.

Butter: Gives the stew a rich, savory base and helps sauté the vegetables until perfectly tender.
Yellow or sweet onion: Brings gentle sweetness and rounds out the overall flavor of the stew.
Garlic: Infuses the dish with irresistible aroma and depth — be sure to use fresh for the best punch.
Celery: Adds a touch of green and a subtle, earthy crunch.
Carrots: Their sweetness complements the savory turkey and makes each spoonful colorful and appealing.
All purpose flour: Thickens the stew so each bite is satisfying and not too brothy.
Dry white wine: Adds brightness and helps blend all the flavors; you can substitute more broth if you prefer.
Turkey broth or stock: Deepens the turkey flavor and gives a hearty backbone to the stew.
Leftover turkey gravy: Delivers an extra layer of richness and a boost of seasoning.
Leftover turkey: The star ingredient — both white and dark meat work, so use what you have!
Fresh thyme: Brings woodsy, herbal notes that brighten up the creamy base; dried is perfectly fine, too.
Fresh sage: Lends a slightly peppery, classic comfort-food aroma — or use rubbed sage for convenience.
Heavy cream: A swirl at the end transforms this into a true creamy delight.
Kosher salt: Adjusts all the flavors — taste carefully, especially if your gravy is already salty.
Ground pepper: Adds just the right amount of gentle heat in the background.

How to Make Creamy Leftover Turkey Stew

Step 1: Sauté the Base

Start by heating a hearty 6-quart Dutch oven or soup pot over medium-high. Melt the butter until it’s bubbling and foamy, then toss in the diced onion, celery, and carrot. Stir to coat the vegetables well and let them sauté, stirring now and then, until the onion turns translucent and the celery and carrots soften just a bit—this should take about 10 minutes. Add the minced garlic and keep stirring for a minute, just until fragrant. This base is the flavor heart of your Creamy Leftover Turkey Stew, so take your time to get it right!

Step 2: Make the Roux

Now, evenly sprinkle the flour over your beautiful veggies. Use your spoon to work the flour in well, and let it cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly. This step makes sure the flour loses its raw taste and sets you up for that luxuriously thick stew without lumps.

Step 3: Deglaze the Pot

Pour in the dry white wine and watch as it sizzles—scrape up every last brown bit from the bottom for an instant flavor upgrade. If you’re skipping the wine, an extra half cup of broth works just fine. Keep stirring until the flour disappears into the mix and the pot feels smooth on the bottom.

Step 4: Add Liquids and Turkey

Next, pour in the turkey broth and that irresistible leftover gravy. Tumble in your chopped leftover turkey (white meat, dark meat, or a mix—use whatever you have). For simple, stress-free seasoning, tie together the thyme and sage with a piece of kitchen twine (or just toss in a bundle of dried herbs) and drop it in to simmer alongside everything else.

Step 5: Simmer to Perfection

Crank up the heat just until the stew reaches a gentle simmer, then dial it back to keep things bubbling softly. Let your Creamy Leftover Turkey Stew simmer away for about 20 minutes—this melds the flavors and warms every piece of turkey right through.

Step 6: Finish with Cream

Switch off the heat, fish out the herb sprigs (if you used fresh), and pour in the heavy cream. Give your stew a loving stir, then taste and season with kosher salt and pepper. Remember, leftover gravy may already contain salt, so add a pinch at a time until it’s perfect.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Ladle this rich, creamy stew over a fluffy bed of mashed potatoes or a scoop of leftover stuffing for maximum coziness. Every bite delivers savory turkey, sweet carrot, and silky sauce—the ultimate comfort dish that’ll chase any gray day away.

How to Serve Creamy Leftover Turkey Stew

Garnishes

A sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley livens up every bowl, while an extra crack of black pepper adds a hint of warmth on top. Feeling fancy? A few crispy fried onions or sage leaves provide incredible crunch and aroma, making the Creamy Leftover Turkey Stew impossible to resist.

Side Dishes

Spoon your stew over creamy mashed potatoes or a big scoop of leftover stuffing for cozy perfection. On the side, serve up buttered peas, crusty bread, steamed green beans, or even a tangy cranberry sauce to bring out all the classic holiday flavors in a brand new way.

Creative Ways to Present

Try serving Creamy Leftover Turkey Stew in hollowed-out bread bowls for an extra wow factor, or tuck it into puff pastry shells if you’re feeling fancy. For a family gathering, ladle stew into ovenproof bowls, top with a cheesy biscuit, and broil until golden for a hybrid pot pie that everyone will talk about all year.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Transfer any extra Creamy Leftover Turkey Stew to airtight containers and refrigerate for up to four days. As the flavors mingle, the stew only gets more delicious, so don’t be shy about making it in advance for easy lunches or speedy weeknight dinners.

Freezing

This stew freezes beautifully! Let it cool to room temperature, ladle into freezer-safe containers, and pop it in the freezer for up to three months. When you’re ready to eat, defrost overnight in the fridge for best results—just remember, creamy sauces can occasionally split when frozen, though a good stir will usually bring everything back together.

Reheating

Gently rewarm your Creamy Leftover Turkey Stew over medium heat in a saucepan, stirring regularly to prevent scorching and encourage the cream to blend smoothly again. Add a splash of broth or cream if the stew seems overly thick after storing—just a little, and you’ll have a bowl that’s every bit as luscious as day one.

FAQs

Can I make Creamy Leftover Turkey Stew without wine?

Absolutely! If you prefer to skip the wine, just replace it with an equal amount of extra turkey broth. The dish will still be rich and flavorful, so go with what you love.

What if I don’t have leftover gravy?

No gravy? No problem! Simply use an extra half cup of turkey broth and adjust the seasoning at the end—you might want a little more salt and pepper or a pinch of poultry seasoning for depth.

Can I use chicken instead of turkey?

Chicken works just as well in this recipe, making Creamy Leftover Turkey Stew versatile enough for all your post-roast meals. Simply swap in an equal amount of cooked chicken and follow the rest of the steps as written.

Does this stew work in a slow cooker?

You can adapt the recipe for a slow cooker by completing steps 1 and 2 on the stovetop, then transferring everything (except the cream) into your cooker. Cook on low for 4–5 hours, stir in the cream just before serving, and you’re good to go.

Can I add other vegetables?

Definitely! Feel free to toss in peas, corn, or diced potatoes to stretch the stew further or fit your tastes. Just add them in after the main simmer so they don’t overcook.

Final Thoughts

If you’re craving a second life for your leftover holiday turkey, there’s nothing more rewarding or delicious than Creamy Leftover Turkey Stew. It’s warm, filling, and guaranteed to put smiles around the table. Give it a try—you’ll never see leftovers the same way again!

Creamy Leftover Turkey Stew Recipe

★★★★★

5.2 from 26 reviews

Author: Noah
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Gluten Free

Print Recipe

Description

This Creamy Leftover Turkey Stew is a comforting and delicious way to use up Thanksgiving leftovers. Creamy and hearty, it’s perfect served over mashed potatoes or stuffing.

Instructions

Heat the Dutch Oven: Heat a 6-quart Dutch oven or soup pot over medium-high heat. Add butter and heat until melted.
Sauté Vegetables: Add onion, celery, and carrots. Sauté until onion is translucent and vegetables soften.
Add Flour: Sprinkle flour over vegetables and cook to remove raw flour taste.
Deglaze: Pour in white wine to deglaze, scraping up any browned bits.
Add Broth and Turkey: Pour in broth, gravy, and leftover turkey. Add thyme and sage.
Simmer: Bring to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes.
Finish: Remove herbs, stir in heavy cream, season with salt and pepper.
Serve: Ladle over mashed potatoes or stuffing and enjoy!

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American