Creamy Turkey Stew Recipe
Embrace a bowl of our creamy turkey stew recipe – the perfect way to use leftover turkey! This hearty dish brings comfort & flavor to every spoonful.
Ingredients
- 2 cups of cooked turkey diced
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 md onion finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 3 md carrots sliced
- 2 celery stalks chopped
- 4 cups chicken or turkey broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 md potatoes diced
- 1 tsp fresh thyme, chopped (or 1/2 tsp dried thyme)
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add onions, garlic, carrots, and celery. Sauté until onions become translucent.
- Stir in the diced turkey, followed by the potatoes.
- Pour in the chicken or turkey broth, ensuring that the ingredients are covered.
- Add thyme and bay leaf. Season with salt and pepper.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, letting it simmer for 20 minutes or until the potatoes are fork-tender.
- Stir in the heavy cream and simmer for an additional 5 minutes.
- Check for seasoning and adjust if necessary.
- Serve hot, garnished with chopped parsley.
Notes
- Turkey Selection: Both white and dark turkey meat work well in this stew. Dark meat may offer a richer flavor while white meat can be leaner.
- Vegetable Variations: Feel free to add or replace some of the veggies based on what you have on hand. Mushrooms, green beans, and bell peppers are all great additions.
- Spice It Up: For an added kick, consider adding a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne.
- Dairy-Free Version: If you're dairy-free, you can replace the heavy cream with coconut milk or another dairy-free alternative. Remember, this might slightly alter the flavor.
- Leftovers: Leftover stew tastes even better the next day once the flavors meld. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Thickening: If you prefer a thicker stew, you can mash a few of the cooked potatoes directly in the pot or add a cornstarch slurry.
- Herbs: Fresh herbs always give the best flavor. However, if you don't have fresh thyme on hand, dried herbs will work in a pinch. Generally, use one-third the amount of dried herbs as you would fresh.
- Storage Tip: If you're freezing the stew, leave out the heavy cream. Add it when reheating to ensure the best texture and flavor.
- Bread Pairing: This stew pairs wonderfully with crusty bread or rolls to soak up the creamy goodness.
- Healthier Version: To cut down on calories, replace heavy cream with half-and-half or a milk of your choice. However, this might make the stew less creamy.