Who wants to let go of Thanksgiving once the feast is over? Not me! This easy Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Curry with Sweet Potatoes recipe has amazing Indian flavors and two kinds of sweet potatoes.
With the holidays upon us, I've been conjuring up creative ways to use my turkey post-Thanksgiving. Sure, we could all pick at the carcass for days on end, or make a turkey soup, etc. But then it came to me (cue the lightbulb:💡) -- Leftover Turkey Curry! It's like having another Thanksgiving dinner but with an Asian twist!
I used the breast meat for this leftover turkey dish, but use the dark meat also if you'd like!
Leftover turkey breast is awesome in this Indian dish! It's like having Thanksgiving all over again!
How to use leftover Thanksgiving turkey in this awesome curry dish:
- Slice the leftover turkey breast into thick pieces before cubing.
- Sauté the onions and garlic until translucent.
- Stir in garam masala, cumin, and curry powder until incorporated. Add in tomato, stirring for about 2 minutes. Add the coconut milk, water, and potatoes and stir well.
- Cook and simmer for about 20 minutes, or until potatoes are soft.
- Stir in the turkey meat and simmer another 5 minutes. Serve over steamed rice.
- That's it! So easy, right?
I used two types of sweet potatoes in this dish: classic sweet potatoes, and white sweet potatoes. Don't worry if you can't find the white variety, just use classic sweet potatoes, or even regular Idaho potatoes!
I picked up these white sweet potatoes at my Whole Foods Market. Also try your local Asian market or Trader Joe's.
This easy Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Curry with Sweet Potatoes has amazing Indian flavors (garam masala, yellow curry powder, cumin), and light coconut milk. It's a bowl of comfort that keeps the flavors of Thanksgiving going. Your family will be following their noses to the kitchen when these aromas float through the air!
TIPS & TRICKS:
- Use any sweet potatoes you can locate. I was able to find these beautiful white sweet potatoes at Whole Foods. Check your local Asian market too!
- You can use white meat or dark meat in this dish, or both. I happen to like white meat better, but don't let that stop you!
- I served this dish over steamed white rice, but brown rice would also be delicious in this dish!
WANT MORE?
If you liked this Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Curry with Sweet Potatoes recipe, you’re going to want these recipes:
- Stuffed Peppers with Turkey and Rice
- Delicata Squash Stuffed with Turkey and Rice
- Asian-Inspired Turkey Noodle Soup
- Stuffed Acorn Squash with Turkey and Rice
- Thai Turkey Burgers with Spicy Aioli
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Update Notes: This post was originally published on November 12, 2018, but was republished with slight text changes and additions, like step-by-step instructions and tips in November 2020.
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Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Curry with Sweet Potatoes
Leftover turkey is so perfect for this easy Asian-inspired Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Curry with Sweet Potatoes. Post-Thanksgiving has never tasted so good!
- Total Time: 30 min
- Yield: 4 1x
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- ½ large onion, chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 teaspoons garam masala
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 2 teaspoons yellow curry powder
- 1 large tomato, chopped
- ½ cup light coconut milk
- ⅔ cup water
- ½ large sweet potato, peeled and cut into small cubes
- ½ large white sweet potato (or regular potato), peeled and cut into small cubes
- 2 cups leftover cooked turkey meat, cut into thick cubes
- Salt and pepper
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- Steamed white rice
Instructions
- Slice the leftover turkey breast into thick pieces before cubing.
- Sauté the onions and garlic until translucent.
- Stir in garam masala, cumin, and curry powder until incorporated. Add in tomato, stirring for about 2 minutes. Add the coconut milk, water, and potatoes and stir well.
- Cook and simmer for about 20 minutes, or until potatoes are soft.
- Stir in the turkey meat and simmer another 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Serve over steamed rice. Garnish with fresh cilantro.
Notes
- Use any sweet potatoes you can locate. I was able to find these beautiful white sweet potatoes at Whole Foods. Check your local Asian market too!
- You can use white meat or dark meat in this dish, or both. I happen to like white meat better, but don't let that stop you!
- I served this dish over steamed white rice, but brown rice would also be delicious in this dish!
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 25 min
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 424
- Sugar: 4.5 g
- Sodium: 144.3 mg
- Fat: 15.6 g
- Carbohydrates: 31.9 g
- Protein: 37.2 g
- Cholesterol: 114.5 mg
Keywords: easy turkey curry, leftover turkey, turkey curry Indian style, leftover turkey recipes
Toni | Boulder Locavore
Looks like a new favorite for weeknights!
★★★★★
Asian Caucasian
Thanks, Toni! I hate to waste a good bird and always looking for ways to spice up the leftovers. Great Indian flavors in this dish!
Lindsay Cotter
What a great way to use leftover turkey! Looks cozy and delicious!
★★★★★
Asian Caucasian
Thanks, Lindsay! We love using the leftover turkey for this recipe in our house. Such great Indian flavors!
Asian Caucasian
Thank you so much, Catherine! I really love the use of these Indian flavors in this leftover turkey dish. Post-Thanksgiving has a new sheriff in town! 🙂
Alexis
This curry dish sounds amazing! I would have never thought to do leftover turkey curry. I'm going to make this for sure!
★★★★★
Asian Caucasian
The Indian flavors combined with the leftover turkey is so delicious! Just put on top of rice for a perfect post-Thanksgiving meal!
Beth Neels
Oh this curry looks like the perfect thing to do with leftover turkey! I just love the flavor of coconut curries!
★★★★★
Asian Caucasian
These Indian flavors are just what leftover turkeys are made for! So yummy, I hope you'll like it!
Alexandra Shunk
SO SO easy! I love how you totally changed up the traditional turkey flavors because the next day, I am kinda over it already! This creates an entirely different meal with little effort and zero waste! 🙂
★★★★★
Asian Caucasian
I know, right? I get so sick of the Thanksgiving meal after it's over, so this really picks it up a notch!
Katie Crenshaw | A Fork's Tale
I am loving the flavors in this. What a great way to use leftover turkey. I am saving this recipe to try with our leftovers!
★★★★★
Asian Caucasian
Can't wait to hear how you liked this use of leftover Thanksgiving turkey! Hope you enjoy, Katie!
Karen S.
I’m always looking for new ideas to use up my Thanksgiving turkey. This is perfect!
★★★★★
Asian Caucasian
You’re going to love this recipe, Karen! It’s such a unique way to use up your leftovers!
Erin Clarkson
This is such a good idea! Always good to have little tricks up your sleeve to use leftovers!
Asian Caucasian
That's for sure, and if you're not a fan of turkey you can substitute it with chicken! Just as good!
Lindsay @ The Live-In Kitchen
Such a great way to use leftovers in a different way!
Asian Caucasian
I hate to throw away good turkey meat! I'll either freeze it for later or use it up in a recipe!
Hadia
I love curries and I love sweet potatoes, so definitely giving your recipe a try! Sounds fantastic!
Asian Caucasian
Can't wait for you to try it! Let me know how it comes out!
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes)
This looks great!!!
Asian Caucasian
Thank you, Jocelyn! It's a very comforting bowl of leftovers!
Lane & Holly | With Two Spoons
Love these flavors! And such a fabulous use of leftovers!
Asian Caucasian
Thanks, Lane! This is just what I needed to get a small break from all of that Thanksgiving food. Turkey time is any time!
Cathy Schwartz
Looks yummy! I am going to try this with my turkey leftovers. I will let you know how it turns out!!