Beyond the Leftovers – Turkey Stock & Turkey Pot Pie
Thanksgiving is over.
It always seems surprising to me because of such build up to
Thanksgiving and for all the work that goes into the one big meal. It is definitely one of my favorite meals of
the year, how can it not be with all those delicious dishes!
It always seems surprising to me because of such build up to
Thanksgiving and for all the work that goes into the one big meal. It is definitely one of my favorite meals of
the year, how can it not be with all those delicious dishes!
My favorite part of the big meal though? The leftovers.
I’m sure that you all have been eating leftovers for several
days like we have, but the leftovers will continue to go a lot farther in our
house.
days like we have, but the leftovers will continue to go a lot farther in our
house.
Let me explain.
Whenever we have a turkey – which is honestly only once a
year – I want to make sure that I use up the turkey. Not just the white meat on Thanksgiving, and some
turkey sandwiches or a turkey and rice soup, which are all great things in
their own right, but I also want to be able to use those leftovers during our
very busy Christmas season and into the New Year.
year – I want to make sure that I use up the turkey. Not just the white meat on Thanksgiving, and some
turkey sandwiches or a turkey and rice soup, which are all great things in
their own right, but I also want to be able to use those leftovers during our
very busy Christmas season and into the New Year.
One way that I have done that in the past is to put together
turkey pot pie in a bag – literally just cut up turkey and gravy in a freezer
bag. Then when I want to make a pie, I
only need to take the bag out of the freezer, let it thaw overnight put in a
pie crust and then throw some frozen veggies in (my kids like green beans and
peas). Bake at 450 degrees for 10
minutes, and then turn the oven down to 350 degrees and let it go until the
crust is done and it is bubbling – super easy!
turkey pot pie in a bag – literally just cut up turkey and gravy in a freezer
bag. Then when I want to make a pie, I
only need to take the bag out of the freezer, let it thaw overnight put in a
pie crust and then throw some frozen veggies in (my kids like green beans and
peas). Bake at 450 degrees for 10
minutes, and then turn the oven down to 350 degrees and let it go until the
crust is done and it is bubbling – super easy!
The other way that I really like to use up the turkey,
though, is to make turkey stock.
though, is to make turkey stock.
I love to make my own stock, I typically make veggie stock most of the time because onions carrots and celery are all pretty
inexpensive to get at the store, much more so than purchasing those cartons of
organic vegetable stock.
inexpensive to get at the store, much more so than purchasing those cartons of
organic vegetable stock.
But, I do love a good bone broth in the winter.
Bone broth is incredibly healthy for you – especially during
the winter time. The minerals it
contains are all immune boosting, which is important with all the germs going
around. It also contains healing
compounds such as proline, glycine, collagen, and glutamine. And the collagen in bone broth helps to heal
your gut lining. (source)
the winter time. The minerals it
contains are all immune boosting, which is important with all the germs going
around. It also contains healing
compounds such as proline, glycine, collagen, and glutamine. And the collagen in bone broth helps to heal
your gut lining. (source)
See, definitely a great thing to have on hand during the
winter!
winter!
Bone broth is incredibly simple to make – take leftover turkey bones (it is the turkey carcass, let’s just accept that is what it is called), put in a very large stock pot (10qt or larger), cover with water, and simmer
all.day.long. The all day part is the
most important. You need to give the bones
time to release all the great nutrients.
all.day.long. The all day part is the
most important. You need to give the bones
time to release all the great nutrients.
Once you have simmered the turkey, you can then let it cool
overnight and then put into gallon size freezer bags to lay flat and freeze
(then conveniently stack) to use for soups, stews, and chili throughout the
winter.
overnight and then put into gallon size freezer bags to lay flat and freeze
(then conveniently stack) to use for soups, stews, and chili throughout the
winter.
Today is the day that I plan to start my bone broth,
typically I do it over the weekend, but we were busy putting up our tree, and I
forgot to put it in. So my house will
smell delicious today!
typically I do it over the weekend, but we were busy putting up our tree, and I
forgot to put it in. So my house will
smell delicious today!
What are some ways that you use up
leftovers? Do you make bone broth?
I love making stocks! And turkey stock is great! Have you ever tried bone broth? It's supposed to be SUPER beneficial health-wise!
Any time I have a turkey or chicken dinner, I make a bone broth. Best way to stretch out another meal!
I've heard great things about bone broth. I'll have to try it next time we do a turkey.
We didn't have thanksgiving at our home this year so we couldn't bring home any leftovers. Bummer I know!! This looks so good!!!
I only made bone broth from chicken so far. This is definitely something to keep in mind!
I love to make homemade stock! My favorite it to buy a rotisserie chicken and throw the bones and some veggies in the crockpot to make stock!
I need to do this after Christmas. We don't tend to have a lot of left overs being a family of 9 but when we do I NEED to do stuff like this. I need more turkey pot pie in my life. – Jeanine
My favourite part of any meal is the leftovers too. What a great idea to make it into stock instead of wasting it.
I've always wanted to do this but never make it this far. I've heard it makes to die for broth though
I just used my turkey stock last night to make soup! I used the juices from the roasting pan as a starter.
There is something so comforting about a bone broth, made right in your home, with succulent veggies and noodles added later.
I need to give this a try, as I have some turkey bones in the fridge right now. Usually we toss them out, but I love the idea of this.
I have never, ever made my own broth. I always just buy it. However, this bone broth sounds simple to make and so great for battling all those germs in the winter months!
I made bone broth and we had a couple days of leftovers. Next week I'll make turkey pot pie or soup. It's always yummy!
This was my first time making turkey and I didn't want any of it going to waste. Bone stock was so interesting to make, I think it's so good to use the whole thing and not let it go to waste
I too love Thanksgiving leftovers. I never really get tired of them because they're only around a few days of the year!
This sounds amazing! I will have to try this, I am tired of the same old turkey leftovers so this sounds great!
oohhhh this is something I will have to do. My mom loves to cook ham and turkey on Christmas.
We do a bone broth from the ham bone, and add beans to it. The most delicious part of the ham!!