Turkey a la King Recipe (with Leftovers) (2024)

By: Author Julie Menghini

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Turkey a la King is an easy one-pot meal that comes together in 20 minutes. It’s a deliciously creamy Leftover Turkey Recipe that you’ll want to make all year.

Turkey a la King Recipe (with Leftovers) (1)

Turkey a la King is a quick and easy comfort dish meal that comes together in under 20 minutes.

Leftover Turkey a la King is a great way to use up leftover chicken or turkey, and the ways to serve it is endless.

This family favorite uses ordinary ingredients and is a perfect answer for when they ask “what’s for dinner?”!

Growing up, Turkey ala King would have been considered a foreign dish.

We were a meat and potatoes family with all of the benefits of fresh fruit and vegetables you can find in a Midwest agricultural community.

Turkey a la King Recipe (with Leftovers) (2)

What does a la king mean?

Simply, the definition of à la king means “served in a cream sauce with mushrooms and pimiento or green peppers”.

In our opinion, à la king means easy comfort food. It’s like a pot pie without the crust.

This Recipe for Turkey a la King is a favorite in our kitchen and believe it will be yours for the following reasons:

  • Uses ordinary ingredients.
  • Versatile ingredients make it a recipe your family will love.
  • Perfect for using leftovers.
  • Tastes just as good the second day as the first.
  • One-pot recipe.
  • Done in less than 20 minutes.

We make this recipe a lot after Thanksgiving when we’re going through our leftover turkey recipes such as our Leftover Turkey Casserole.

You know, when you don’t dare serve one more turkey sandwich? The flavors in this Turkey a la King converts turkey into a brand new meal.

It’s also great for converting dry turkey into a creamy dish that the whole family will love.

How to make Turkey a la King

There are basically three steps in making the easy Turkey a la King recipe.

  1. Chop and saute the vegetables.
  2. Create the cream sauce using flour and stock or broth followed by cream.
  3. Add turkey.

I told you it was easy right?

Turkey a la King Recipe (with Leftovers) (3)

Variations you can make to this Turkey a la King Recipe

The definition in this recipe states that it’s made with mushrooms and pimentos.

We didn’t use pimentos because I rarely have them on hand. We love mushrooms in this recipe so always get some when I do my holiday shopping for our leftover recipes.

Vegetables – We’ll also include celery, onions, carrots or green or red peppers. You can clean out the vegetable drawer with this recipe!

Butter – We used unsalted but you can use salted. If you do taste the dish before salting it further. You can substitute the butter for cooking oil.

Turkey – This recipe is delicious with leftover chicken too. Grab a rotisserie chicken on the way home from work for an Easy Chicken a la King dinner.

Stock or Broth – Here’s another great way to use leftovers! Use leftover turkey stock or thin your turkey gravy to a stock-like consistency. The flavor will be over the top!

Cream – Just a little bit really adds a richness and velvety smooth texture to the dish. You can substitute the cream for half-and-half or even milk. Any variety will do.

That makes it perfect at any time of year! It’s warm comfort food in the winter and quick enough to make that it will not heat up the kitchen in the summer.

Turkey a la King Recipe (with Leftovers) (4)

How to Serve Turkey a la King

  • Leftover Turkey a la King is delicious served over leftover mashed potatoes, stuffing, or dressing!
  • Spoon it over baked puff pastry or refrigerator biscuits for a semi-homemade meal.
  • Rice is delicious and adds whole grain to your meal.
  • Noodles make Turkey a la King a kiddo favorite. We love the wide noodles because they hold up well with this dish.

Leftover Turkey Recipes

Any dish that calls for cooked chicken or turkey is perfect for using leftover turkey. Here are a few you may enjoy. When we have leftovers, our go-to dinners include Chicken Pot Pie, Turkey and Cheese Rolls, and Turkey Stew. What are your favorite recipes to make with leftovers?

I hope you enjoyed this delicious recipe as much as we do. Drop me a comment below, and don’t forget to give it a star rating. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐. Your comments and ratings help others decide if this recipe is for them too.

Turkey a la King

Author: Julie Menghini

Turkey a la King is an easy one-pot meal that comes together in under 20 minutes. It's a deliciously creamy Leftover Turkey recipe that you'll want to make all year long.

4.73 from 18 votes

Print Recipe Collect Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Course Main Dish

Cuisine American

Keyword: Leftovers, Turkey a la King, Turkey recipe

Servings: 8

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup butter salted or unsalted
  • 1/4 cup red pepper green or other colors work too
  • 1/4 cup green onions may substitute other variety
  • 1 cup mushrooms I use portobella but any variety will work
  • 3 tbsp flour
  • 2 cups chicken broth 14.5 oz can works
  • 1/2 cup cream half-n-half or milk will work
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
  • cups turkey cooked, shredded or diced

Instructions

  • In the bottom of a large skillet, melt the butter. Chop and add the red pepper, onion, and mushrooms. Saute until al dente or 5 minutes on medium-high.

  • Stir in flour. Continue stirring until smooth. Add the chicken stock.

  • Slowly drizzle in the cream, and stir using a spatula until the mixture starts to thicken.

  • Add the cooked turkey. Stir to combine. Add salt and pepper to taste.

  • Serve immediately.

Notes

This recipe is amazing served over noodles, potatoes, rice, or dressing. Make it your own by using the veggies that you have on hand or enjoy.

Nutrition

Calories: 215kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 8gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 73mgSodium: 503mgPotassium: 184mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 768IUVitamin C: 11mgCalcium: 22mgIron: 1mg

Nutritional Disclaimer

This recipe was calculated using the exact brands and measurements I used to make this recipe. If you are following a strict diet please note changing anything will cause the nutritional info to change. My calculations are intended as a guide only.

Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!

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Turkey a la King Recipe (with Leftovers) (6)

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Turkey a la King Recipe (with Leftovers) (2024)

FAQs

Can you eat cooked turkey after 5 days? ›

USDA recommends using cooked turkey within 3 to 4 days, kept refrigerated (40°F or less). Refrigeration slows but does not stop bacterial growth. Turkey can be frozen for 3 to 4 months. Although safe indefinitely, frozen leftovers can lose moisture and flavor when stored for longer times in the freezer.

What is Ala King sauce made of? ›

Ingredients. Corn starch, Wheat flour, Salt, Modified milk ingredients, Dehydrated vegetables (onion, carrot, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, garlic), High oleic sunflower oil, Disodium inosinate and disodium guanylate, Natural flavour, Spices and herbs, Citric acid.

How long does leftover turkey last? ›

How long do the turkey and trimmings stay safe in the refrigerator or freezer? The answer is simple: leftovers can be kept in the refrigerator for three to four days. This means you have until the Monday after Thanksgiving to eat all those delicious leftovers or place them in the freezer to enjoy later.

Is a 15 lb turkey enough for 10 people? ›

The general rule of thumb is 1–1½ pounds turkey per person. If that seems like a lot, remember that a whole turkey comes with a lot of parts that don't end up getting eaten.

Can you eat 7 day old cooked turkey? ›

Snyder points to the USDA FoodKeeper app for best guidance: The tool notes that refrigerated, cooked turkey should be eaten within 4 days. Eat frozen turkey leftovers within 6 months for premier quality.

Is a 3 year old frozen turkey still good? ›

A whole turkey can be stored in the freezer for up to 12 months. Turkey pieces are best consumed within nine months.

How to tell if cooked turkey is bad? ›

Like other leftovers, leftover cooked turkey can—and will—go bad. “The texture and smell of turkey will indicate when it has gone bad,” Edwards says. “Generally it will smell bad and get a slimy texture. It's best to throw it away after four days in the fridge or move it to the freezer at that point.”

Can I freeze cooked turkey after 3 days? ›

If your turkey has been properly handled, you can refrigerate and eat it for up to four days. If you are planning to freeze it, it's best to freeze it within one day of cooking for optimal texture and taste. However, leftover turkey can be frozen after three days and it will be fine.

Is it OK to eat turkey that's been in the fridge for 2 weeks? ›

Once the turkey is thawed, you can keep it in the refrigerator for one to two additional days before cooking.

How much is 20 pounds of turkey? ›

How much is a 20 lb turkey? A roasting turkey is about $2 per pound during the non-holiday season in the US, thus a 20 lb Turkey is about $40. During November through January grocery stores often have specials for pennies per pound if a customer is buying over a certain dollar amount of other groceries.

How many people will a 15lb turkey feed? ›

You'll want to plan on about 1.25 pounds of turkey per person. That means if you're expecting 12 guests, plan for a 15-pound bird. To make things simple, we've created a guide to help you pick the perfect-sized turkey for your Thanksgiving dinner menu.

How many people does a 10lb turkey fees? ›

4 to 6 people = 4- to 9-lb. turkey (If you can't find a bird that small, you can get a slightly larger bird that will allow for more leftovers. Or cook a turkey breast for a smaller group.) 8 to 10 people = 8- to 15-lb.

Is turkey still good after 6 days? ›

Turkey typically lasts up to four days in the fridge before it goes bad. It can be stored in the freezer for up to four months before it starts to lose its flavor and texture.

Can I eat 5 day old leftovers? ›

Leftovers can be kept for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. After that, the risk of food poisoning goes up. If you don't think you'll be able to eat leftovers within four days, freeze them right away. Frozen leftovers will stay safe for a long time.

Can a turkey sit in the fridge for 5 days? ›

Storing Leftover Turkey

Use refrigerated turkey and stuffing within 3 to 4 days. Use gravy within 1 to 2 days. If freezing, use leftovers within 2 to 6 months for best quality.

Can I eat a 4 day old turkey? ›

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends using cooked turkey within three to four days as long as it is kept refrigerated at a temperature that is 40°F or lower.

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