Primal Turkey Leftover Recipes

These Delicious Primal Turkey Leftover Recipes and Ideas Will Transform Your Leftovers into New and Exciting Meals!

Thanksgiving is a time of abundance, and often, that abundance leads to an excess of leftovers. While reheating the same plate of turkey and mashed potatoes can be comforting, it can also get boring after a while. That’s where the concept of using primal ingredients in leftover recipes comes in, so you’ll love these Primal Turkey Leftover Recipes!

By incorporating fresh, nutritious, and ancestral ingredients into your Thanksgiving leftovers, you can transform them into new and exciting dishes that are both delicious and healthy.

The Benefits of Using Primal Ingredients in Your Leftover Recipes

Primal ingredients are those that are minimally processed and resemble the foods that our ancestors would have eaten. They are typically whole foods that are rich in nutrients and free from additives and preservatives.

One of the main benefits of using primal ingredients is that they are often more flavorful than their processed counterparts. For example, using fresh herbs and spices instead of pre-packaged seasoning mixes can add depth and complexity to your dishes. Additionally, using fresh fruits and vegetables can add a burst of flavor and texture to your leftovers.

In terms of nutrition, primal ingredients are often more nutrient-dense than processed foods. For example, using mixed greens instead of iceberg lettuce in a turkey salad can provide a wider range of vitamins and minerals. Similarly, using homemade bone broth instead of store-bought bouillon for turkey soup can provide additional nutrients such as collagen and amino acids.

Try these Primal Turkey Leftover Recipes and Ideas:

Primal Turkey Salad with Cranberry Vinaigrette

To showcase the use of primal ingredients in leftover recipes, here is a recipe for a delicious and healthy turkey salad with cranberry vinaigrette:

Serves 4

Ingredients:

For the salad:

• 8 cups mixed greens of choice
• 3 cups leftover turkey, shredded
• 2 tomatoes, sliced (optional)
• 2 avocados, sliced
• 1 cucumber, chopped
• ½ cup pecans, chopped
• ½ cup dried cranberries (sweetened with juice)
• ½ red onion, thinly sliced

For the cranberry vinaigrette:

• 2 Tbsp leftover homemade cranberry sauce or frozen cranberries
• ½ cup olive oil
• 3 Tbsp raw apple cider vinegar
• 2 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 Tbsp raw honey
• ¼ tsp garlic powder
• Sea salt and black pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, combine the mixed greens, shredded turkey, avocado, cucumber, pecans, dried cranberries, and red onion.
2. In a blender or food processor, combine the cranberry sauce, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth.
3. Drizzle the cranberry vinaigrette over the salad and toss to combine.
4. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Primal Turkey and Vegetable Soup 

If you’re looking for a comforting and nourishing way to use up your leftover turkey, try making a turkey and vegetable soup. Here’s a recipe to get you started:

Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 2 Tbsp butter or olive oil
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups leftover turkey, diced
• 1 bunch kale, chopped
• 4 to 6 cups bone broth (depending on how thin you prefer your soup)
• Fresh herbs (such as thyme or parsley), chopped, to taste
• Sea salt and black pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, heat butter over medium heat.
2. When hot, add the diced carrots, celery, onion, and minced garlic to the pot. Cook until the vegetables are softened.
3. Stir in the shredded turkey and chopped kale, then pour in enough bone broth to cover the ingredients. 4. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
4. Stir in the fresh herbs and season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Serve hot and enjoy!

Primal Turkey and Broccoli Lime Stir-Fry

For a quick and easy way to use up your leftover turkey, try making a turkey and broccoli stir-fry. Here’s a recipe to try:

Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 2 Tbsp coconut oil
• 1 cup raw cashews
• 3 cups broccoli florets
• 2 fresh chili peppers or 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced (optional)
• 1 red onion, thinly sliced
• 2 cups leftover turkey, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 inches fresh ginger root, peeled and grated
• Juice of 1 lime
• ¼ cup coconut aminos
• 1 Tbsp toasted sesame oil
• Sea salt and black pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat coconut oil in a large skillet or wok over medium heat.
2. Add the cashews, broccoli florets, optional peppers, and thinly sliced onion to the skillet. Cook until the vegetables are tender-crisp.
3. Stir in the chopped turkey, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Cook for an additional 2 minutes.
4. Drizzle lime juice, aminos, and sesame oil over the stir-fry. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Serve hot and enjoy!

Primal Turkey and Sweet Potato Hash

Another delicious way to use up your leftover turkey is by making a hearty and flavorful turkey and sweet potato hash. Here’s a recipe to try:

Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 2 Tbsp butter or olive oil
• 4 sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 bell peppers or zucchini, diced
• 2 cups leftover turkey, diced
• Fresh herbs (such as thyme or rosemary), chopped, to taste
• Sea salt and black pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add the diced sweet potatoes, diced onion, minced garlic, and diced bell peppers to the skillet. Cook until the vegetables are softened and light golden brown.
3. Stir in the turkey and fresh herbs. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Cook for an additional 5 minutes or until the turkey is heated through.
5. Serve hot and enjoy!

Primal Turkey and Cauliflower Rice Casserole

If you’re looking for a satisfying and low-carb way to use up your leftover turkey, try making a turkey and cauliflower rice casserole. Here’s a recipe to get you started:

Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 2 Tbsp butter or coconut oil
• 16 oz mushrooms, sliced
• 1 onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups leftover turkey, shredded
• 6 cups cauliflower rice
• ½ cup almond flour
• 2 Tbsp coconut flour
• 4 eggs
• 1 ½ cups milk or coconut milk
• Fresh herbs (such as parsley or thyme), chopped, to taste
• Sea salt and black pepper, to taste
• 2 cups shredded cheese of choice (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375 F.
2. In a large skillet, heat butter over medium heat.
3. Add the sliced mushrooms, diced onion, and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook until the vegetables are softened.
4. Stir in the shredded turkey and cauliflower rice. Cook for an additional 5 minutes, then remove from the heat.
5. In a separate bowl, whisk together almond flour, coconut flour, eggs, coconut milk, fresh herbs, salt, and pepper.
6. Pour the egg mixture over the turkey and cauliflower rice mixture in the skillet. Stir to combine.
7. Transfer the mixture to a greased casserole dish. Top with optional cheese if desired.
8. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the casserole is set and golden brown on top.
9. Serve hot and enjoy!

Primal Turkey and Butternut Squash Curry

For a flavorful and warming way to use up your leftover turkey, try making a turkey and butternut squash curry. Here’s a recipe to get you started:

Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 2 Tbsp butter or coconut oil
• 2 onions, chopped
• 2 bell peppers or carrots, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 inches fresh ginger, peeled and grated
• 4 cup butternut squash, peeled and chopped
• 3 cups leftover turkey, chopped
• 1 (15-oz) BPA-free can coconut milk
• Juice of 1 lime
• 2 cups bone broth
• 2 Tbsp garam masala
• 1 tsp ground turmeric
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• Cayenne pepper (optional), to taste
• Fresh cilantro, chopped, to taste
• Sea salt and black pepper, to taste
• Cooked white rice or steamed cauliflower rice (optional, for serving)

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, heat butter over medium heat.
2. Add the chopped onion, chopped bell peppers, minced garlic, and grated ginger to the pot. Cook until the vegetables are softened and golden brown.
3. Stir in the diced butternut squash and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
4. Add the chopped turkey, coconut milk, lime juice, bone broth, garam masala, turmeric, cumin, and cayenne pepper (if using) to the pot. Stir to combine.
5. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes, or until the butternut squash is tender and sauce is thickened to your liking.
6. Stir in the fresh cilantro and season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. Serve hot with white rice or cauliflower rice and enjoy!

Primal Turkey, Strawberry, and Arugula Salad with Lemon Poppyseed Dressing

For a refreshing and nutrient-packed way to use up your leftover turkey, try making a turkey, strawberry, and arugula salad with lemon poppyseed dressing. Here’s a recipe to get you started:

Serves 4

Ingredients:

For the salad:

• 4 cups arugula
• 4 cups baby spinach
• 1 lb strawberries, hulled and sliced
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup shredded carrots
• 1 cucumber, diced
• ½ red onion, thinly sliced
• 3 cups leftover turkey, shredded
• ½ cup walnuts, chopped
• ½ cup feta cheese, crumbled (optional)

For the lemon poppyseed dressing:

• Juice of 1 lemon
• ½ cup olive oil
• 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
• 2 Tbsp raw honey- 2 tsp poppy seeds
• Sea salt and black pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, combine the arugula, baby spinach, sliced strawberries, halved cherry tomatoes, shredded carrots, diced cucumber, and thinly sliced red onion.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients.
3. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss to combine.
4. Top with shredded turkey, walnuts, and crumbled feta cheese (if using).
5. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Try these Delicious Primal Turkey Leftover Recipes with Your Leftover Poultry!

Using primal ingredients in your leftover recipes can not only enhance the flavor and nutrition of your dishes but also provide a creative and exciting way to use up your Thanksgiving leftovers. By incorporating fresh and nutritious ingredients such as mixed greens, sweet potatoes, bone broth, and coconut oil, you can transform your leftovers into delicious and healthy meals. 

So, don’t let your Turkey Day leftovers go to waste – try out these delicious and healthy primal turkey recipes and enjoy the benefits of using primal ingredients in your cooking!

*Not medical advice.

Sources

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/junk-food-vs-healthy-food#what-are-highly-processed-foods

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320516#primal-diet-and-the-paleo-diet