Finally, A Post-Thanksgiving Recipe for Turkey Leftovers That Doesn’t Totally Suck
This recipe for turkey leftovers covers all the bases — it’s super nutritious, ultra flavorful, and uses all of that remaining Thanksgiving turkey in your fridge.
You’ve done it. You made it through the rush of relatives, the chaos of the holiday kitchen, and the five steps of brining turkey. The crowd has officially cleared out and you’re left with a whole lot of dishes, a pile of mashed potatoes, and half of a heritage turkey. Now what?
Well, what if I told you my favorite Thanksgiving meal wasn’t the actual turkey feast, but the amazing leftovers that come after it? You might not believe me, and I wouldn’t blame you — the most common recipe for turkey leftovers is a dry, uninspired turkey sandwich. But this kale and white bean soup recipe is here to change your mind.
Here’s Why We Love This Winter Soup Recipe
This cozy winter soup recipe is the ultimate comfort food. If you’re unsure what to do with a leftover turkey post-Thanksgiving, this easy and healthy white bean, turkey, and kale soup is a no-brainer.
This turkey leftovers recipe is particularly rich in nutrients thanks to a whole head (yes, you read that right!) of kale that’s added right at the end. Kale is a total superfood packed with antioxidants and fiber — and in this soup, it adds depth and heartiness in addition to those nutrients. Read on for the health benefits of kale and white bean, the leftover turkey soup recipe (or try this turkey chili recipe if that’s more your style!), and more turkey inspiration to get you through your post-Thanksgiving blues.
How to Store Thanksgiving Leftovers
Before you get back to cooking, the first step is to make sure the remnants of your Thanksgiving dinner are handled safely for maximum freshness over the next several days.
To make the most of a recipe for Thanksgiving leftovers, your food should be cooled down as quickly as possible — ideally within two hours. If you used stuffing in your turkey, start by removing it from the bird to store it separately.
To make sure things cool down effectively and you don’t trap heat, pack your turkey leftovers into several shallow containers (rather than one large one), and avoid stacking them in your fridge.
How Long Can You Keep Leftover Turkey?
Leftover turkey can be stored in the refrigerator for up to four days. To keep all of it tasting fresh for as long as possible, try to reheat only what you’ll be serving. Avoid reheating all your leftovers unless you plan to use everything that day!
What About Freezing Turkey Leftovers?
If you overdid it on Thanksgiving and know you’ll be sick of turkey for the foreseeable future, you might want to consider freezing your leftovers.
Freezing keeps your leftovers safe to eat for much, much longer by preventing the growth of bacteria. To save your turkey for a few weeks down the line, we recommend slicing the meat into smaller portions and wrapping it in aluminum foil or freezer paper before packing it into freezer bags or containers.
Once frozen, any leftover turkey recipes you try will taste best within two to three months (although it will technically be safe to eat for many months beyond that).
Kale Yeah! Kale Health Benefits of Kale
You already know that this white bean, turkey, and kale soup will soothe your soul. But beyond being a comfort food, it also packs a serious dose of nutrients — many of which come from the kale.
Kale has earned its health superstar status thanks to the wide variety of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants in its green leaves.
Kale and Cancer Research
Like other cruciferous vegetables such as Brussels sprouts and broccoli, kale has shown potential for boosting bone health, supporting heart health, and lowering blood sugar, among other benefits.
Promising research also shows that a specific compound in these vegetables known as sulforaphane may have anti-cancer properties, with test-tube and animal studies seeing a reduction in the size and number of cancer cells1.
Kale and Cholesterol
This green leafy veg also helps lower cholesterol levels in the body. When kale is consumed, its nutrients bind with bile acids in our intestine, which can then be eliminated from the body as waste.
When this occurs, our liver needs to replace the missing bile acids by drawing from our supply of cholesterol. As a result, cholesterol levels drop (yay!). One study found that daily consumption of kale juice for 12 weeks increased beneficial HDL cholesterol by 27 percent and lowered LDL levels (also known as “bad” cholesterol) by 10 percent2.
Kale is also a very good source of fiber, which is necessary for healthy digestion, as well as omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, vitamins A, C, E, B6, B2, and K, potassium, iron, and protein. In other words, it’s one of the healthiest vegetables you can put in your body.
Is White Bean Soup Good for You?
Kale isn’t the only superfood to lend its powers to your dinner. It joins hearty and fiber-rich white beans, protein-packed turkey, aromatic onions, garlic, celery, and carrot, plus a touch of fresh herbs. The result may be the coziest possible way to get your daily nutrients.
Recipe for Turkey Leftovers: White Bean, Turkey, and Kale Soup
Ingredients
Preparation
- Place a large pot over medium-high heat and add the avocado oil. If you aren’t using turkey leftovers, add ground turkey and sauté for 3-5 minutes, or until the meat begins to turn white. Add the onions, garlic, celery stalks, and carrots, and sauté for ten minutes.
- Add the white beans, diced tomatoes, and stock. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook over medium to low heat for about 20-25 minutes. For those of you using leftovers, shred your turkey and add it in with about 15 minutes left to cook. Add chopped kale at the end and allow to cook for five minutes.
- Garnish the soup with salt and pepper, herbs, and Parmesan cheese.
Sources:
1. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5456215/
2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0895398808600124
