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.

  • Turkey and Cheese Crescent Rolls
  • Healthy Chicken Pot Pie Soup
  • Hot Turkey Sandwich
  • Leftover Turkey Casserole
  • Turkey Stew

What you need to make this recipe

Hostess At Heart participates in affiliate programs. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases. Please refer to mydisclosure pagefor more information about these affiliate programs.

You don’t need a lot of fancy equipment to make this recipe. One of the most used skillets in my kitchen is actually a braiser. I love the wide bottom for even cooking.

We also use silicone spatulas. They don’t scratch our cookware and wear like iron. They’re cost-effective and the colors are FUN!

If you like this recipe, we would appreciate your comment and a 5-star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review!

Turkey a la King Recipe (with Leftovers) (5)

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

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.

What to do with over cooked turkey? ›

Place your carved meat in a shallow baking dish and cover it with stock. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and place in low oven, somewhere around 250 degrees, for 5-10 minutes. The dryness won't be entirely gone after this short broth bath, but the turkey will definitely be more moist than before.

How long is leftover turkey good for in the fridge? ›

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.

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 the royal sauce? ›

The official ingredients in Burger King's Royal Sauce are a mystery, but it's thought to include ketchup, mayonnaise, mustard, relish, and a host of spices. The sauce mixes sweet tomato and mayo with vinegary pickles, basil, onion, and tangy garlic. It also has a hint of spicy mustard and a dash of ranchy flavor.

Can you cook already cooked turkey? ›

First, preheat your oven to 325° F. Remove the turkey from the aluminum foil wrapping and place in a roasting pan. Pour 1 cup of water in the bottom of the pan and cover the turkey with a tented sheet of aluminum foil. For a 10-12 pound cooked turkey, bake for one hour, or until the turkey is 125° F.

How do you reheat leftover turkey and keep it moist? ›

Place the turkey pieces in a baking dish and drizzle with a few tablespoons of stock and/or butter. Cover the dish with foil and heat in the oven at 350°F for about 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can microwave the sliced turkey (cover with a damp paper towel) in a microwave-safe dish at 50% power in 1-minute intervals.

Why does leftover turkey taste different? ›

Though it's especially obvious in leftover fish and poultry, discerning connoisseurs can pick out the WOF bouquet in most reheated meats. These flavors are the result of a series of chemical reactions that begins with the deterioration of specific kinds of fats known as polyunsaturated fatty acids, or PUFAs.

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.

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

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. The USDA offers the following tips for storing and handling your turkey leftovers. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media Inc.

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.

How can you tell if turkey is spoiled? ›

But as any poultry starts to go bad, it will start to turn an unpleasant shade of gray. If that pink hue starts to look slightly dull then it's time to use up your ground turkey immediately, and if it has a gray tint (even just a slight one), then it's time to toss it.

How many times can you refreeze cooked turkey? ›

Cook the turkey immediately after it is thawed. Do not refreeze. Check your owner's manual for the size turkey that will fit in your microwave oven, the minutes per pound and power level to use for thawing.

Can I eat turkey left out overnight? ›

How can you be sure your leftovers are safe? A turkey can sit out for a maximum of two hours in the temperature danger zone of 40 to 140 degrees F. If the room temperature is above 90 degrees, limit the time that turkey sits out to only one hour.

What is Burger King's special sauce made of? ›

The main ingredients in Burger King's Royal Sauce include mayonnaise, ketchup, pickle relish, vinegar, and various spices. These ingredients come together to create the sauce's signature flavor.

Which sauce is the king of all sauces? ›

Bechamel – a milk based sauce that is thickened with a roux (clarified butter and flour). This sauce is named after its creator Louis XIV's steward, Louis de Béchamel. Considered the king of all sauces, and often called a cream sauce because of its consistency, this sauce is most often used in all types of dishes.

What is ma la sauce made of? ›

The sauce is made primarily of dried chili peppers, chili powder, douban paste, Sichuan peppercorns, clove, garlic, star anise, black cardamom, fennel, ginger, cinnamon, salt, and sugar. These ingredients are simmered with beef tallow and vegetable oil for many hours, and packed into a jar.

What sauce made from egg yolks butter wine and spices is also known as Dutch sauce? ›

Hollandaise sauce (/hɒlənˈdeɪz/ or /ˈhɒləndeɪz/; French: [ɔlɑ̃dɛz]), meaning Dutch sauce in French, is a mixture of egg yolk, melted butter, and lemon juice (or a white wine or vinegar reduction). It is usually seasoned with salt, and either white pepper or cayenne pepper.

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