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serving a pot of stew made with thanksgiving leftovers
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Day After Thanksgiving Stew

Turn leftover Thanksgiving turkey and sides into this cozy and chunky turkey stew! Combined with wild rice and a creamy gravy, it makes a delicious and easy meal.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time1 hour
Total Time1 hour 20 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Difficulty: Easy
Servings: 6 servings
Author: Nora from Savory Nothings

Ingredients

Leftovers:

  • cooked turkey ~3 cups, shredded or chopped
  • roasted vegetables about 3-4 cups; carrots, parsnips, sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, green beans, etc.
  • turkey gravy up to 1 cup – optional but magical
  • fresh herbs thyme, rosemary, sage

Fresh/Pantry:

  • 1 tbsp olive oil or butter
  • 1 medium onion diced (about 1 cup)
  • 2 carrots diced (optional if not enough roasted vegetables; about 1 cup)
  • 2 sticks celery diced (about 1 cup)
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • ½ cup dry sherry or white wine optional, but lovely
  • 4-6 cups turkey or chicken broth or more if needed
  • 1 cup uncooked wild rice or a wild rice blend
  • ½ cup heavy cream whisked together with 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Prep:
    This recipe works best in a 5-6 quart Dutch oven or soup pot. Get your ingredients ready.
    groceries for leftover turkey stew
  • Sauté aromatics:
    In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter. Sauté onion, carrot (if using), and celery with a pinch of salt until soft (6–8 min). Add garlic and herbs (fresh or dried), cook 1 more minute.
    1 tbsp olive oil or butter, 1 medium onion, 2 carrots, 2 sticks celery, 2 cloves garlic, fresh herbs
    sautéing vegetables in dutch oven
  • Deglaze:
    Pour in sherry or white wine. Let it bubble 1–2 minutes to cook off alcohol and lift up flavor.
    ½ cup dry sherry or white wine
    deglazing vegetables in dutch oven
  • Add wild rice + broth:
    Stir in broth and wild rice. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer 35–45 min, until rice is tender.
    4-6 cups turkey or chicken broth, 1 cup uncooked wild rice
    simmering wild rice soup
  • Add turkey + roasted veggies:
    Stir in leftover turkey and roasted vegetables. Add leftover gravy if you have it. Let everything gently simmer and heat together 5–10 min.
    cooked turkey, roasted vegetables, turkey gravy
    simmering stew made from thanksgiving leftovers
  • Adjust texture:
    Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the cream and cornstarch slurry, do not boil at this point - only let warm through until thickened.
    Taste and adjust salt, pepper, more herbs if needed. Ladle into bowls. Add leftover stuffing like croutons, toasted leftover dinner rolls or bread, herbs, or nothing at all - it’s wonderful either way.
    ½ cup heavy cream whisked together with 1 tablespoon cornstarch
    serving a pot of stew made with thanksgiving leftovers