10 Creative Ways to Use Your Turkey Leftovers

What to Do with the Insides of a Turkey

The Thanksgiving turkey is a centerpiece of the holiday meal, but what do you do with all the leftover innards? Don’t throw them away! There are plenty of delicious and creative ways to use turkey giblets, heart, and liver.

In this article, we’ll share some of our favorite recipes for using up the insides of a turkey. We’ll also provide tips on how to store and freeze giblets so that you can enjoy them all year long.

So whether you’re looking for a simple way to use up your leftovers or you’re looking for some new and exciting recipes, read on for all the information you need to know about using turkey giblets.

| What to do with the insides of a turkey? | Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|—|—|—|—|
| Save the giblets for gravy | Recipe | https://www.thespruceeats.com/turkey-gravy-recipe-591906 | Video | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3307963100 |
| Make stock with the carcass | Recipe | https://www.themediterraneandish.com/turkey-stock-recipe/ | Video | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-6366-_228 |
| Freeze the neck and wings for later use | Instructions | – Rinse the neck and wings thoroughly.
– Pat dry with paper towels.
– Place in a freezer bag and freeze. | Image |  |

How to Remove the Insides of a Turkey

Removing the insides of a turkey is a relatively simple process, but it is important to do it correctly in order to avoid contamination. The following steps will walk you through the process of removing the turkey’s internal organs and giblets.

1. Gather your supplies. You will need the following items:

* A sharp knife
* A large bowl
* A turkey baster
* A trash bag

2. Prepare the turkey. Rinse the turkey inside and out with cold water. Remove the giblets bag from the cavity of the turkey.

3. Remove the neck. Cut around the neck where it meets the body of the turkey. Use your fingers to pull the neck out of the body cavity.

4. Remove the giblets. Carefully open the giblets bag. Remove the heart, liver, and gizzard. Place the giblets in a bowl.

5. Remove the lungs. The lungs are located in the upper part of the turkey’s chest cavity. Use your fingers to reach up into the cavity and grab the lungs. Pull them out and discard them.

6. Remove the kidneys. The kidneys are located on either side of the spine, just below the neck. Use your fingers to reach up into the cavity and grab the kidneys. Pull them out and discard them.

7. Clean the cavity. Use a paper towel or clean cloth to wipe out the turkey’s cavity. Be sure to remove any blood or other debris.

8. Pluck the turkey. If you are not planning on cooking the turkey immediately, you will need to pluck the feathers. This can be done by hand or with a plucker.

9. Refrigerate the turkey. Once the turkey has been cleaned and plucked, it can be refrigerated until you are ready to cook it.

What to Do with the Giblets

The giblets of a turkey are the internal organs, including the heart, liver, gizzard, and neck. They are often discarded, but they can actually be used to make a variety of delicious dishes.

Here are a few ideas for what to do with the giblets of a turkey:

* Boil the giblets in water for about 30 minutes. This will remove any impurities and make them safe to eat.
* Use the giblets to make a stock. Stock is a flavorful liquid that is made by simmering bones and vegetables in water. It can be used as a base for soups, stews, and other dishes.
* Fry the giblets in butter or oil. This is a simple and delicious way to cook the giblets. They can be served as a side dish or added to other dishes, such as stuffing or casseroles.
* Make a giblet gravy. Gravy is a flavorful sauce that is made by thickening stock with flour or cornstarch. It is often served with roasted turkey.

The giblets of a turkey are a versatile and delicious ingredient that can be used to make a variety of dishes. So don’t throw them away! Use them to make a delicious and nutritious meal.

Removing the insides of a turkey and using the giblets is a simple process that can result in delicious and nutritious meals. By following these steps, you can easily enjoy all parts of your Thanksgiving turkey.

3. What to Do with the Neck

The turkey neck is a delicious and nutritious part of the bird that is often overlooked. It is packed with protein and nutrients, and it can be cooked in a variety of ways.

Here are a few ideas for what to do with the turkey neck:

* Braise it. Braising is a slow cooking method that results in a tender and flavorful neck. To braise the neck, you will need to:
* Season the neck with salt, pepper, and your favorite herbs and spices.
* Brown the neck in a hot skillet with oil or butter.
* Add the neck to a slow cooker along with some vegetables (such as carrots, onions, and celery), broth, and wine.
* Cook the neck on low for 6-8 hours, or until it is tender.
* Roast it. Roasting is another great way to cook turkey neck. To roast the neck, you will need to:
* Season the neck with salt, pepper, and your favorite herbs and spices.
* Place the neck in a roasting pan and roast it in a preheated oven at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 30-45 minutes, or until it is cooked through.
* Smoke it. Smoking is a great way to add flavor to turkey neck. To smoke the neck, you will need to:
* Season the neck with salt, pepper, and your favorite herbs and spices.
* Place the neck in a smoker and smoke it for 3-4 hours, or until it is cooked through.

No matter how you choose to cook it, turkey neck is a delicious and versatile part of the bird that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.

4. What to Do with the Gravy

Turkey gravy is a delicious and flavorful sauce that is often served with turkey dinner. It is made from the drippings of the turkey, along with some stock, flour, and seasonings.

Here are a few tips for making the perfect turkey gravy:

* Use a good quality stock. The stock is the foundation of the gravy, so it is important to use a good quality stock. If you don’t have any homemade stock on hand, you can use store-bought stock. Just be sure to choose a stock that is made with real ingredients.
* Don’t overcook the gravy. Gravy is best when it is made just before serving. If you overcook the gravy, it will become thick and lumpy.
* Adjust the seasonings to taste. Gravy should be seasoned with salt, pepper, and your favorite herbs and spices. Be sure to taste the gravy and adjust the seasonings as needed.

Here is a simple recipe for turkey gravy:

* Ingredients:
* 1 cup of turkey drippings
* 1 cup of chicken stock
* 2 tablespoons of flour
* 1 teaspoon of salt
* 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
* 1 bay leaf
* 1 teaspoon of dried thyme
* 1 teaspoon of dried sage

* Instructions:
1. In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
2. Add the flour to the saucepan and whisk until it is smooth.
3. Slowly add the turkey drippings to the saucepan, whisking constantly.
4. Bring the gravy to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes.
5. Stir in the chicken stock, salt, pepper, bay leaf, thyme, and sage.
6. Bring the gravy to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes, or until the gravy has thickened.
7. Remove the bay leaf from the gravy.
8. Serve the gravy immediately.

Turkey gravy is a delicious and versatile sauce that can be enjoyed with a variety of dishes. It is perfect for serving with turkey dinner, but it can also be used as a dipping sauce for chicken fingers or french fries.

The insides of a turkey can be used to make a variety of delicious and nutritious dishes. The turkey neck can be braised, roasted, or smoked, and the gravy can be made with turkey drippings, stock, flour, and seasonings. With a little creativity, you can use the insides of a turkey to create a delicious meal for your family and friends.

Q: What can I do with the insides of a turkey?

A: There are many things you can do with the insides of a turkey. Here are a few ideas:

* Save the giblets and neck for making gravy. The giblets are the internal organs of the turkey, and the neck is the long, thin muscle that runs along the back of the bird. Both of these can be used to make a flavorful gravy.
* Use the leftover meat to make soup or stew. Turkey soup or stew is a delicious and hearty way to use up leftover turkey meat. You can also use the bones to make a flavorful broth.
* Freeze the leftover meat for later use. If you don’t have time to cook all of the leftover turkey meat right away, you can freeze it for later use. This is a great way to have turkey on hand for quick and easy meals.
* Give the leftovers to your pets. Dogs and cats love turkey meat, so if you have any leftovers, you can give them to your furry friends. They’ll appreciate the treat!

Q: How do I save the giblets and neck for making gravy?

A: To save the giblets and neck for making gravy, follow these steps:

1. After you have roasted the turkey, remove the giblets and neck from the cavity.
2. Rinse the giblets and neck under cold water.
3. Place the giblets and neck in a pot or bowl.
4. Cover the giblets and neck with water.
5. Bring the water to a boil over medium heat.
6. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 1 hour.
7. Remove the giblets and neck from the pot or bowl.
8. Let the giblets and neck cool completely.
9. Store the giblets and neck in an airtight container in the refrigerator until you are ready to use them.

Q: How do I make gravy with the giblets and neck?

A: To make gravy with the giblets and neck, follow these steps:

1. In a large pot or saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.
2. Add the giblets and neck to the pot.
3. Cook the giblets and neck for 5 minutes, or until they are browned.
4. Add 1 cup of water to the pot.
5. Bring the water to a boil over medium heat.
6. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 1 hour.
7. Strain the gravy into a bowl.
8. Discard the giblets and neck.
9. Add 1 tablespoon of cornstarch to a small bowl.
10. Add 2 tablespoons of cold water to the cornstarch.
11. Whisk the cornstarch mixture into the gravy.
12. Bring the gravy to a boil over medium heat.
13. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 1 minute, or until the gravy thickens.
14. Season the gravy with salt and pepper to taste.
15. Serve the gravy with your turkey dinner.

Q: What other things can I do with the leftover turkey meat?

A: There are many other things you can do with leftover turkey meat. Here are a few ideas:

* Make turkey sandwiches. Turkey sandwiches are a classic way to use up leftover turkey meat. You can use your favorite sandwich bread, turkey meat, cheese, lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise.
* Make a turkey pot pie. A turkey pot pie is a hearty and comforting way to use up leftover turkey meat. You can use your favorite pot pie recipe, or you can use this simple recipe:

* In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.
* Add 1 cup of chopped onion to the pot.
* Cook the onion for 5 minutes, or until it is softened.
* Add 1 cup of chopped carrot to the pot.
* Cook the carrot for 5 minutes, or until it is softened.
* Add 1 cup of chopped celery to the pot.
* Cook the celery for 5 minutes, or until it is softened.
* Add 2 cups of cooked turkey meat to the pot.
* Add 1 cup of chicken broth to the pot.
* Bring the pot to a boil over medium heat.
* Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 1 hour.
* Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
* In a medium bowl,

there are many delicious and creative ways to use the insides of a turkey. Whether you’re looking for a simple way to use up leftovers or you’re looking for a new and exciting way to cook turkey, these recipes are sure to please. So next time you’re faced with a Thanksgiving turkey, don’t forget about the delicious possibilities that lie within!

Here are a few key takeaways:

* The insides of a turkey can be used to make a variety of dishes, including soups, stews, and casseroles.
* The giblets can be used to make gravy, stock, or even as a snack.
* The neck and wings can be roasted or grilled for a delicious and flavorful meal.
* The heart and liver can be sauteed or fried for a quick and easy protein.
* By using all parts of the turkey, you can reduce food waste and save money.