This hearty and flavorful Leftover Turkey Stew with Butternut Squash recipe is a great way to use turkey remaining after a holiday feast!
This recipe was originally published in November, 2014, then updated November 2019.
Inspiration for Leftover Turkey Stew
I don’t host for Thanksgiving, so don’t have quite as many leftovers to contend with as you might. But I usually leave my folks armed with a couple of pretty well-packed containers of turkey and sides, so I do have some experience. I got in the Thanksgiving spirit earlier this month and roasted a turkey. That gave me turkey bones as well as meat to work with, so making a stew was a must! The result was this tasty Leftover Turkey and Butternut Squash Stew, perfect for sharing for the #SundaySupper focused on Thanksgiving leftovers.
Potatoes might be more common in a stew of this sort, but I had a lot of squash on hand from our fall farmshare. So I put a whole butternut squash to work in this stew with tasty results! If you had some leftover pureed squash from the Thanksgiving table, you could add that into the stew, and then add a couple of chopped potatoes for texture. This recipe is flexible–experiment with what you have on hand!
Tips for making Turkey Stew with Butternut Squash
Here are a few tips for making our leftover turkey stew; see the recipe card below for the full details.
- Homemade stock definitely enhances the flavor of the stew. I cover how to make your own in the next section.
- The recipe I give uses vegetables such as squash and carrots that cook during the stew making process. This turkey stew is also a great way to use cooked leftover vegetables. Add those in with about 10 minutes left in the cooking time.
- Once you have stock or store bought broth ready to go, the stew can be ready after about 40 minutes cooking time. But if you have time to let the stew simmer for a good hour, that will enhance the flavors.
Making your own stock for Leftover Turkey Stew
If you left someone else’s house with turkey meat, you can make the stew with some store-bought stock–skip on down to the stew recipe below! But homemade stock adds so much flavor! I describe the process for making stock with leftover chicken here, and the process is pretty similar with turkey. Here are some tips for making your own turkey stock from leftover turkey carcass and meat in a slow cooker.
- A slow cooker makes the stock making process easy.
- If you have not already done so, start by removing most of the good turkey meat that is still on the bones. Put that turkey in a container and refrigerate until you are ready to add it to the stew.
- Next break up the turkey carcass so that it can fit into the slow cooker. Add the turkey legs, wings and other bones. It’s fine if there are still bits of meat and skin on the bones.
- I followed this recipe for the original turkey dinner that provided the leftovers for this stew. I included some roasted carrots and parsnips in the roasting pan. If you also had roasted veggies along with the turkey, go ahead and add any leftovers to the crockpot.
- Cover the turkey bones with water, and set the crockpot on low for at least 12 hours. If you get the stock going the evening after your turkey dinner, you can have it going in the slow cooker a full 24 hours, finishing the process the next evening. Enjoy the great smells in your house as the turkey stock simmers!
- Finish the stock by dumping the crockpot contents through a strainer into a large pan. Pick through the turkey bones to get more meat that can be added to the stew. This can often be quite a bit, as meat hidden by skin and various bone crevices gets loosened up while the stock simmers.
More favorite leftover turkey recipes
After the recipe, there are links to some great leftover turkey recipe ideas from others in the Sunday Supper blogger group, and I also have rounded up 19 Tasty Leftover Turkey Recipes. But if you want a few quick ideas, here are a few of my favorite leftover turkey recipes:
- Leftover Turkey Pasta with Mushrooms
- Leftover Turkey Potpie (from Sugar Spun Run)
- Orzo with Leftover Turkey and Sweet Potatoes
And if you would like to try another soup with butternut, try our Butternut Squash Mushroom Soup recipe.
Wine Pairing for Turkey and Butternut Squash Stew
I’m inclined to go with Pinot Noir for turkey, and the butternut squash seals the deal! I recently had a great Pinot, paired with a fettuccine dish. I’m sure the 2016 Harper Voit Strandline Pinot Noir ($41, 14.3% ABV) I’m referencing would be great with our turkey stew, too. This Willamette Valley Pinot has raspberry fruit with notes of chocolate, and layers of delicious flavor.
You might well be looking to spend a good bit less on wine to go with leftover turkey! Hahn Family Wines is a reliable source of good value California Pinot I often grab for under $20 per bottle.
Leftover Turkey Stew with Butternut Squash
This hearty and delicious Leftover Turkey Stew with Butternut Squash recipe is a great way to use leftover turkey! Grab a spoon and dig into this comforting stew with great fall flavors!
- Prep Time: 30 mins
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 mins
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Entree
- Method: stove top
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 medium butternut squash, peeled and chopped
- 1 cup green peas, frozen OK
- 4 cups or more cooked turkey, cut or shred into bit sized pieces
- 7 cups turkey or chicken stock (if you have less than 7 cups stock, add water to bring you to 7 cups of liquid).
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Soften the onions: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large pan. Add the onions to the pan and sauté for about 5 minutes, until they begin to soften.
- Add veggies: Add the carrots, butternut squash, and garlic, and sauté for about two more minutes.
- Add stock: Add the stock to the pan, bring to a boil, then reduce to simmer on medium low.
- Add turkey and simmer: After the veggies have been simmering for about 10 minutes, stir in the turkey and peas. Let the stew simmer uncovered at least 30 more minutes until the veggies are good and tender. Stir occasionally as the stew simmers, and break up a few pieces of the squash as you do to distribute the flavor throughout the liquid.
- Finish the stew: A full hour of total cooking time is ideal to really let the flavor build up. Add salt and pepper to taste, and serve in a bowl along with crusty bread. Enjoy!
Notes
- You can use store bought chicken or turkey stock if needed. But if you have the leftover turkey carcass too, making your own stock is a great idea. You can follow the tips for making turkey stock in the article above the recipe, or see my method for making chicken stock here — the same process applies with turkey.
- Vary the vegetables based on what you have on hand. The recipe as presented is based on squash and other veggies that need to be cooked. If you have leftover cooked vegetables you would like to use, add them with about 10 minutes cooking time remaining. That will be just enough to heat them without getting too soft.
Keywords: leftover turkey stew, turkey stew with squash, turkey and butternut squash, turkey soup with butternut squash
Breakfast:
Cranberry Sauce Muffins by The Foodie Army Wife
Leftover Stuffing Breakfast Strata by Ruffles & Truffles
Sweet Potato Casserole Muffins by Magnolia Days
Turkey & Chorizo Breakfast Hash by Brunch with Joy
Italian Mashed Potato Pancakes by The Weekend Gourmet
Cranberry Sauce’d Corn Bread Muffins by Rhubarb and Honey
Main Dish:
Leftover Pie by Jane’s Adventures in Dinner
Thanksgiving Leftover Waffles by Foxes Love Lemons
Stuffing Hash by The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen
Turkey Pizza by Meal Diva
Turkey & Caramelized Onion Risotto by kimchi MOM
Turkey with Creamy Mushroom Marsala Sauce by Casa de Crews
Moroccan Turkey Stew by What Smells So Good?
Peruvian Cilantro & Turkey Soup by The Little Ferraro Kitchen
Turkey & Butternut Squash Stew by Cooking Chat
Turkey Kreplach Soup by Panning the Globe
Turkey & Stuffing Crepes by Peaceful Cooking
Cranberry Apple Pecan Chicken Salad by NeighborFood
Herbed Turkey over Cornbread Waffles with Cranberry Sauce by girlichef
Creamy Peanut Gochujang Pasta by Wallflour Girl
Cranberry Sweet Potato Soup by Take A Bite Out of Boca
Turkey Enchilada Pasta Bake by Curious Cuisiniere
Turkey Orzo Risotto by Family Foodie
Turkey Croquettes by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
Side Dishes:
Cheesy Mashed Potato Croquettes by Noshing with the Nolands
Whipped Carrots with Sriracha Butter by Healthy Delicious
Cranberry-Balsamic Glazed Cauliflower Wings by Cupcakes & Kale Chips
Parmesan Mashed Cauliflower and Potatoes by Momma’s Meals
Cheesy Jalapeño Potato Cakes by Bobbi’s Cozy Kitchen
Sandwiches:
Cranberry & Turkey Sandwich by The Redhead Baker
Monte Cristo Sandwich by Nik Snacks
Hot Brown Turkey Sandwiches by The Life and Loves of Grumpy’s Honeybunch
Sprouted Grain Turkey, Cranberry & Brie Panini by Amee’s Savory Dish
Turkey Cranberry Flatbread by Peanut Butter and Peppers
Condiments & Sauces:
Cranberry Vinaigrette by Nosh My Way
Leftover White Wine Syrup by Food Lust People Love
DIY Yellow Mustard by The Texan New Yorker
Dessert:
Banana Cheesecake with Pecan Graham Cracker Crust by Desserts Required
Cranberry Cream Cheese Bars by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
Gluten-Free Lemon Cake by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
Spiced Cranberry Sauce Buckle by The Wimpy Vegetarian
Cocktails & Drinks:
Cranberry Orange Crush by The Messy Baker
Cranberry Bellini by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
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Shelby
This looks absolutely delicious. I really love butternut squash so I am happy to see this rather than potatoes in your stew! (I’m not such a huge fan of potatoes – I know, shocker!).
Cooking Chat
Thanks Shelby! I love potatoes, but do like to mix it up with other things like the butternut.
Lisa (Panning The Globe)
This looks amaaazzzzing! I love the idea of the butternut squash in the soup – thanks! ~ Lisa
Jennie @themessybakerblog.com
This is one gorgeous bowl of soup. I can’t wait to try this recipe. Pinned.
Cooking Chat
Thanks for stopping by Jennie…and for hosting this great SundaySupper!
MealDiva
That is one yummy looking soup!
Tara
Great looking bowl of soup. Sure wish it was in front of me now!!
★★★★★
Liz
Now that looks like perfection in a bowl! What a terrific variation of turkey soup!
Shaina
What a gorgeous stew. I love butternut squash, it’s definitely one of my favorite ingredients to use this time of year! PS- good choice pairing with a Pinot Noir 🙂
Cooking Chat
Yes, the Pinot really completes this one!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips
I love how you can totally change this up depending on what you have leftover. Though I am a huge butternut squash fan!
Cooking Chat
Yes, it’s great to have a basic recipe that can be varied easily!
Sarah Ozimek
What a beautiful stew! I could go for a big bowl right now!
Bobbi's Kozy Kitchen
That is one beautiful bowl of stew David!!
★★★★
Amee
I love the butternut squash in this stew! Sounds so good!!
★★★★★
Nichole
I love this recipe! The flavor combinations look so comforting. And what a gorgeous photo!
Ala
Two birds with one stone! (Well, really only one bird and one squash–but still…) I love this pairing. It just screams autumn and Thanksgiving awesomeness to me!
Christie
Turkey soup in our house was hit or miss. It usually was a turkey and rice soup and if we forgot to refrigerate it after it cooled it got tossed. So, 50% of the time, we got to eat it.. The instructions to the recipe are just that. LOL THIS would definitely be saved for later! YUM!
Cooking Chat
Thanks for stopping by, Christie. We definitely ate every bit of this soup!
Amy Kim (@kimchi_mom)
This looks so comforting! I always save and freeze the turkey bones with the intent to make stock, but unfortunately I never follow through.
Although I love butternut squash and have some sitting in my fridge…perhaps this will be on the menu this week! Thanks for sharing and have a great Thanksgiving!
Cooking Chat
Hi Amy–bones in freezer sound familiar! If I don’t make the stock right away it rarely happens, I’m afraid.
Sarah
Loving everything about this!
Cindys Recipes and Writings
I love the colors in this soup! A great flavor profile, David!
Julie @ Texan New Yorker
Your photos are so beautiful!! I love butternut squash too, this looks so delicious!
Cooking Chat
Thanks Julie! We have definitely been working on getting our photos to look as good as the food tastes, so appreciate the feedback 🙂
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry
This stew sounds absolutely delicious and a great way to use up any turkey leftovers you may have!
★★★★★
Julia
Mmm… this stew looks amazing. I have some leftover turkey on hand so can’t wait to try it!
★★★★★
Jas @ All that's Jas
Loving this hearty dish with leftover turkey! Perfect for lazy holiday weekend.
★★★★★
Cooking Chat
Definitely!
Priya Shiva
Than you for sharing such useful ways to use leftover turkey! The stew looks so comforting!
★★★★★
Cooking Chat
Thanks, it definitely would hit the spot in this chilly weather!
Calleigh
Thanks for this recipe, now I can put our leftovers into flavorful use, it’s especially tasty when you make your own stock.