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 to do with dry turkey leftovers? ›

The dried meat will absorb the moisture and be more edible. Make any kind of dish with a rich sauce, to give the dry meat some richness. Or just serve it with a rich gravy. The next time I do turkey and have leftovers I will make this recipe…..

What is turkey a la king made of? ›

This turkey à la king recipe features turkey, peas, and mushrooms in a creamy sauce served over puff pastry boats, biscuits, toast, or rice.

What does a la king mean in cooking? ›

à la king in American English

(ˌɑː lə ˈkɪŋ, ˌæ lə) adjective. (of cooked fowl, fish, etc.) diced and served in a cream sauce containing mushrooms, pimiento, or green pepper.

Can you cook a turkey ahead of time and reheat? ›

When serving your turkey the next day, the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline advises that cooked turkey may be eaten cold or reheated. To reheat your turkey, USDA gives the following recommendations: In the Oven: Set the oven temperature no lower than 325°F.

How do I make leftover turkey moist again? ›

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.

Is leftover turkey good after 7 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 difference between Tetrazzini and a La King? ›

Usually served with chicken, a dish served à la king generally consists of a cream sauce flavored with wine, mushrooms, peas and other vegetables served over rice, noodles, or with bread. While it does bear a resemblance to tetrazzini, tetrazzini gets the distinct pleasure of containing cheese.

Who invented turkey a la king? ›

Where does Turkey a la King come from? There are many origin stories for this recipe, but the original version was probably Chicken a la King, not turkey. It may have originated in lower Manhattan at Delmonico's restaurant. Or, it might have been created at Claridge's Hotel in London.

What is Ala King sauce made of? ›

Wheat flour, Sugars (corn syrup solids, sugar, maltodextrin), Modified milk ingredients, Salt, Corn starch, Sunflower oil, Hydrolyzed corn protein, Yeast extract, Onion powder, Cream cheese, Natural flavour, Chicken fat, Cooked chicken skin, Cooked chicken, Modified corn starch, Silicon dioxide, Sodium citrate, ...

Why is chicken à la king called chicken à la king? ›

The origin of chicken à la king's name is a subject of debate. Some say it was created at New York's Brighton Beach Hotel in the 1890s and named after its proprietor E. Clark King II. Some claim it originated in England, while others say it's from Philadelphia.

Where did turkey a la king come from? ›

Turkey à la King is a dish that originated in the United States in the late 19th century. It is believed to have been created by chef George Greenwald at the Brighton Beach Hotel in New York.

How do chefs reheat turkey? ›

To reheat, preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Keeping the turkey in the roasting pan, pour a bit of stock (chicken, turkey, or veggie stock or broth will work) over the meat to moisten it. Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes to an hour, or until the turkey is warmed through.

Should I butter my turkey the night before? ›

You can unwrap the turkey the night before or the morning of. Then, slide pats of butter under the skin and smooth them out. This helps to baste the meat, keeping it juicy as the butter melts, and it makes the skin ultra crispy.

Should I season turkey the night before? ›

Yes! It doesn't so much matter when you season your bird—whether it's just before popping it in the oven or several days in advance for a dry-brine technique—as long as you season it before it gets cooked.

What to do with leftover turkey drippings? ›

If you roasted a turkey, don't throw out the drippings from the pan! This flavorful liquid makes a great base for gravy, stock, or soup. Start by pouring the liquid through a fine mesh strainer and discard the solids. Then remove the fat that floats to the top.

How long does dried turkey last? ›

Dehydrating meat is a great way to preserve and store it for up to 30 years when done correctly. Dehydrating meat involves removing water content and achieving a kill step temperature of 165°F is essential to ensure that all harmful bacteria are eliminated.

Why is my turkey dry and tough? ›

Turkey is a lean meat, and Healthline reports that turkey has slightly less fat in its dark meat than chicken. Another reason why turkey may be dry is due to its poor breast-to-leg ratio. By the time one gets the leg meat to cook to temperature so it's safe for consumption, the breast meat often has dried out.

How good are turkey leftovers good for? ›

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.

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