Certain foods are always relegated to the back of the pantry, where they remain until months later, patiently waiting to be utilized in a recipe. Thats certainly true of canned foods, including canned turkey. Sure, canned turkey might seem like a handy ingredient to have on hand, but what exactly are you supposed to make with it? It might not seem like much of a culinary tool unless you want to open the can and eat the turkey with some dry crackers.
In reality, though, canned turkey is one of the best-canned goods you can have on hand. While fresh turkey can be tricky and time-consuming to cook, canned turkey is already completely cooked through. Therefore, its easy to add it to dishes without a ton of extra work on your part. For this reason, we’ve put together this list of simple ways to make the canned turkey in your pantry taste better. By utilizing these ideas, you can ensure that youll take advantage of your canned turkey to the fullest. After perusing this compilation, you won’t have to ponder over what to do with a turkey can ever again. Here are some of our favorite canned turkey meal ideas.
Canned turkey, often relegated to the back of the pantry, holds a surprising potential for culinary creativity. With a little imagination and these 128 recipes, you can transform this humble ingredient into a variety of delicious and satisfying dishes.
1. Santoreggia Rosso Sauce (Savory Red Sauce): This versatile sauce perfect for pasta lasagna, pizza, and dipping, uses canned turkey as a flavorful base.
2. Crockpot Pumpkin Turkey Chili: This hearty chili combines the warmth of pumpkin with the savory richness of turkey, making it a perfect cold-weather comfort food.
3. Spicy Winter Vegetable Chowder: This flavorful chowder features a medley of winter vegetables and a touch of spice, making it a healthy and satisfying meal.
4, Heart Healthy Asian Turkey Hamburgers: These juicy and flavorful turkey burgers are packed with Asian-inspired spices and are a healthier alternative to traditional beef burgers,
5. Spaghetti Sauce with Turkey Meatballs: This classic spaghetti sauce gets a boost of protein with the addition of tender turkey meatballs.
6. Cheap Cheap Chili: This budget-friendly chili is packed with flavor and uses canned turkey to stretch your grocery dollars.
7. Judi’s Pizza Soup: This unique and comforting soup combines the flavors of pizza with the ease of a hearty soup.
8. Asparagus, Sausage & Pepper Pasta: This flavorful pasta dish features a delicious combination of asparagus, sausage, and peppers, with canned turkey adding a protein boost.
9. Lowfat Turkey/Chicken Tetrazzini: This creamy and comforting casserole is a great way to use up leftover turkey or chicken.
10. Chicken Cordon Bleu: This classic French dish features a tender chicken breast stuffed with ham and Swiss cheese, with a quick and easy sauce.
11. Mix & Match Casserole: This versatile casserole allows you to use up whatever ingredients you have on hand, including canned turkey, for a quick and easy meal.
12. West Coast Turkey Chili: This simple and hearty chili is a great way to use up leftover turkey and is perfect for a casual dinner.
13. Tex-Mex Mac ‘N Cheese: This cheesy and flavorful pasta dish gets a Tex-Mex twist with the addition of chili powder, cumin, and canned turkey.
14. Wine-Sauced Chicken: This elegant dish features chicken cooked in a rich wine sauce, with canned turkey adding a subtle depth of flavor.
15. Turkey or Chicken Tetrazzini: This classic casserole is a comforting and satisfying way to use up leftover turkey or chicken.
16. Poultry Chili: This hearty chili is packed with flavor and protein, making it a perfect meal for a cold winter day.
Beyond the Recipes: Tips and Tricks for Canned Turkey:
- Upgrade your chili: Add a can of turkey to your chili for a boost of protein and flavor.
- Make a hearty soup: Canned turkey is a great addition to soups, adding richness and texture.
- Create a delicious stock: Use leftover turkey bones and meat to make a flavorful stock for soups and stews.
- Swap canned chicken for turkey salad: Use canned turkey in place of chicken for a lighter and equally delicious salad.
- Make a satisfying pot pie: Canned turkey is a perfect filling for a comforting and flavorful pot pie.
- Combine with creamed corn for turkey burgers: Add creamed corn to your turkey burger mix for added moisture and binding.
- Top your pizza with turkey: Use canned turkey as a flavorful topping for homemade or frozen pizzas.
- Make delicious turkey meatballs: Canned turkey can be used to create juicy and flavorful meatballs.
- Toss with pasta for a quick and easy meal: Combine canned turkey with pasta, Parmesan cheese, and your favorite seasonings for a simple and satisfying dish.
- Create a Thanksgiving leftover casserole: Use canned turkey to create a delicious and easy casserole with leftover Thanksgiving side dishes.
Embrace the Versatility of Canned Turkey:
With these 128 recipes and tips, you can unlock the full potential of canned turkey, transforming it from a pantry staple into a versatile ingredient for countless culinary creations. So, the next time you find yourself with a can of turkey, don’t hesitate to get creative and explore the endless possibilities it offers.
Turn it into turkey bolognese
You have pasta, tomato paste, onion, celery, and carrots in the kitchen. But you don’t have any ground beef or pork, which you might think are necessary ingredients for making bolognese. Of course, you could run to the store and get the ingredients you’re missing, but if you’re pressed for time, have a tight budget, or just don’t feel like leaving the house, you might want to use that canned turkey instead. Yes, it has a much milder flavor than regular beef or pork, but if you’re looking for a dinner that’s not quite as filling as the original, that can work nicely.
We also love this turkey bolognese solution because its so much easier to cook than raw meat. Since you already know the protein is cooked when it comes out of the can, you don’t need to check to make sure it’s done. That cuts down on a lot of the guesswork you may otherwise have to do. With such a simple and easy hack, pasta night just became quicker than ever.
Give your chili a protein boost
We love making chili on chilly winter nights, and while you can make it with just beans, you might want to make yours a little heartier. Since chili is meant to be hearty and filling, adding a little extra protein won’t hurt. Luckily, adding a can of turkey to your chili is an ultra-simple addition that can transform the meal. A larger portion will increase the protein content in your dish, so it’s a good choice for people who are constantly looking for ways to add more protein to their diet. Even just a small amount can add a ton of flavor.
Make sure to add the turkey to the chili while it’s simmering if you want it to add as much flavor as possible. That way, the turkey will mix and meld with the other ingredients in the chili. But if you forget about it until right before you’re ready to serve dinner, you could theoretically add the canned turkey at the last minute. You only need to reheat it since it’s already thoroughly cooked to enjoy turkey chili.
I’m CANNING our TURKEY!
FAQ
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