There are few things in this world as comforting as a delicious, hearty turkey curry on a cold winter day. This easy turkey curry recipe is the perfect comfort food for any occasion!
You can use chunks of leftover turkey, chopped pre-cooked turkey from the supermarket or slice and cook some turkey whilst simmering the curry sauce.
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Turkey Curry Recipe
Please continue reading below after the recipe card for serving suggestions and cooking tips for our leftover turkey curry.
📖 Step by Step Recipe
Turkey Curry (Leftover Turkey Recipe)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon Vegetable Oil
- 2 Onions - Finely Chopped
- 6 Garlic Cloves - diced
- 1 Red Chillies - Optional. use extra for more spice
- 2 tablespoon Tomato Puree
- 2 tablespoon Curry Powder
- 1 tin Chopped Tomatoes
- ½ tablespoon Brown Sugar
- ½ Lemon - juice only
- pinch Salt
- 350 ml Cold Water (1 ½ cup)
- 400 grams Leftover Cooked Turkey (2 cups)
- 1 handful Fresh Coriander - chopped
Instructions
Homemade Medium Curry Sauce
- Gently fry onions in oil for 5 minutes on medium heat2 tablespoon Vegetable Oil, 2 Onions
- Add garlic, chilli, tomato puree and curry powder.6 Garlic Cloves, 1 Red Chillies, 2 tablespoon Tomato Puree, 2 tablespoon Curry Powder
- Stir through until well combined and fragrant.
- Next, add the chopped tomatoes, sugar, salt and lemon juice.1 tin Chopped Tomatoes, ½ tablespoon Brown Sugar, ½ Lemon, pinch Salt
- Add the cold water and bring to a boil.350 ml Cold Water (1 ½ cup)
- Turn the temperature down to low. Simmer for 15 minutes.
- Cut or tear the cooked turkey into bite-size chunks. Keep covered until the sauce has had its time.Or if using raw turkey, chop it into bitesize pieces and cook in a separate pan.400 grams Leftover Cooked Turkey (2 cups)
- Pour the sauce into a deep bowl and use a hand blender to make a smooth curry sauce.
- Return to the pan over medium heat400 grams Leftover Cooked Turkey (2 cups)
- Add the cooked turkey.
- Stir through until the turkey is heated through.
- Sprinkle with fresh coriander leaves before serving1 handful Fresh Coriander
- Serve with white rice and naan bread.
Video
Notes
Variations
One great thing about the leftover turkey curry recipe is that there are so many ways to adjust it to your taste. Adjust the spice levels to suit your family's heat tolerance levels.Mild Curry
If you want a mild creamy turkey curry, add coconut milk instead of water and use a mild curry powder with no chillies.Hot Curry
For something with a little more kick, add more fresh chillies.Sweet Curry
If you want to give your curry extra sweetness, try adding some mango chutney.Jarred Sauce
If you're short on time, there are plenty of store-bought pastes or jarred curry sauces that you can use instead of making your own.Other leftovers
This recipe can be used with chicken or vegetables insteadNutrition
This post was originally posted on 20/11/2022. It has been updated with more advice on ingredients and how to make Leftover Turkey Curry. We have moved the recipe card up in the post on 04/04/2024 to make it more user-friendly.
Leftover Turkey from Christmas or Thanksgiving
If you find yourself with leftover turkey from Christmas or Thanksgiving, don't let it go to waste! There are only so many turkey sandwiches you can have; we have plenty of ways to turn that turkey into a delicious meal.
One option is to make this turkey curry. This dish is packed with flavour, and it's easy to customize according to your preferences.
We also have a fantastic leftover turkey and ham pie that uses all the Christmas leftovers.
Ingredients
When it comes to turkey curry, there are a few key ingredients that you'll need to make this curry.
Prepare all the ingredients to make this turkey curry quick and easy.
- Turkey - Use leftover roast turkey (white or dark meat). If no leftovers, cook fresh turkey breast or boneless thighs, or use pre-cooked turkey from the supermarket.
- Onions - Finely chopped to form the base of the curry.
- Vegetable Oil - Needed to sauté the onions.
- Garlic - Adds extra flavour. Fresh garlic is best; you can add fresh ginger too.
- Chillies - For spice, use fresh red chillies or dried powdered chilli.
- Curry Powder - Key ingredient for flavour. Start with mild and adjust spiciness with fresh chillies. Garam masala can be used as a substitute.
- Tomato Puree - Essential for adding richness.
- Chopped Tomatoes - Tinned or finely chopped fresh tomatoes for depth of flavour and colour.
- Brown Sugar - Balances the heat of the chillies and adds sweetness.
- Lemon - Adds a fresh note with its juice.
- Fresh Coriander - A handful of leaves adds a fresh, herby flavour.
Variations
One great thing about the leftover turkey curry recipe is that there are so many ways to adjust it to your taste. Adjust the spice levels to suit your family's heat tolerance levels.
Mild Curry
If you want a mild creamy turkey curry, add coconut milk instead of water and use a mild curry powder with no chillies.
Hot Curry
For something with a little more kick, add more fresh chillies.
Sweet Curry
If you want to give your curry extra sweetness, try adding some mango chutney.
Jarred Sauce
If you're short on time, there are plenty of store-bought pastes or jarred curry sauces that you can use instead of making your own.
Other leftovers
No leftover cooked turkey? This recipe can be used with cooked or leftover chicken or vegetables instead.
Instructions
Here is a quick rundown on how to make this leftover turkey curry.
To make the turkey curry, start by sauteing onions in vegetable oil and fry gently until they are softened.
Then add garlic, garlic, chilli, tomato puree (tomato paste) and curry powder and stir it into the onions.
Next, add the chopped tomatoes, sugar, salt and lemon juice. Pour in the cold water and bring to a boil.
Turn down to a simmer, and allow 15 minutes for the sauce to thicken.
During this time, you can cook some chopped raw turkey or chicken, if you are not using leftovers.
Once the sauce has thickened, it is time to blend it. We pour it into a deep mixing bowl and use a hand blender for quick, easy results to make a smooth curry sauce.
Pour the smooth homemade curry sauce into the pan over medium heat, and stir in the leftover cooked turkey.
Add some fresh coriander leaves, and enjoy your deliciously easy leftover turkey curry!
Turkey Curry Side Serving Suggestions
When it comes to side dishes to serve with turkey curry, we have endless possibilities to choose from. Here are a few particular sides that we think enhance the flavours of the dish. I love to have turkey curry in an air fryer jacket potato.
Mango Chutney is fantastic to add some sweetness and great with poppadums, a naan breads can be used to soak up the delicious curry. Add a dollop of mint yoghurt to tame the curry's heat.
Rice Side Dishes
A bowl of mushroom rice or plain basmati white rice can help to soak up the curry's rich flavours. Or try one of our flavoured rice.
Or serve the curry in a jacket potato with a simple green salad to provide a refreshing crunch.
Turkey Curry Storage
Regarding storage, there are a few things to remember with leftover turkey curry.
First, if you have used leftover turkey to make this curry, it has already been cooked twice, and it is not recommended to reheat it again, but you can store it in the fridge and eat it cold.
It's important to ensure that any leftover curry is stored in an airtight container in the fridge and eaten within 2 days.
With a little effort, that boring leftover turkey can be turned into a delicious meal the whole family will enjoy. Why not give our curry recipe a try? Let us know how it turns out in the comments below!
So what are you waiting for? Try our easy leftover turkey curry recipe today!
Nicky says
This curry is an absolute winner all the way. The curry sauce recipe is really delicious and I made a spicier version by adding extra Madras curry powder and some green finger chillies. Once the sauce thickened and reduced I let it cool before adding the turkey and then put it in the fridge to infuse the flavours. The aroma and flavours that come through in this curry are some of the best I’ve experienced in Indian cuisine. Will definitely use this base sauce throughout the year for curry. Thank you for such a brilliant recipe.
Luke and Kay says
Thank you for trying our Leftover Turkey Curry recipe, Nicky! We are so happy to hear that it was a success and that you enjoyed the flavour profile. Your modifications sound delicious and we're glad that our sauce base can be used for other curries throughout the year. Thank you for taking the time to leave us such a kind review and we hope you continue to enjoy our recipes in the future. Happy cooking! 🙂
Mrs Carol Ballinger says
This was the best curry that I’ve ever made with left over turkey and the sauce was to die for, the recipe was easy to follow, my family loved it , plus it’s not just for Christmas because you suggested prawns, chicken, that sauce is a keeper thanks.
Kay says
Carol, thank you for trying our Leftover Turkey Curry recipe and for leaving such a glowing review. We're so happy to hear that you loved it and that the sauce was to die for! It's great to know that this recipe can be enjoyed not just during the Christmas season, but all year round. Thanks for sharing it with your family and we hope you'll make it again soon!
Amy Liu Dong says
Looks like a good and tasty dish to make for dinner.
I am sure everyone will love it!
Kay says
Thanks for trying our Leftover Turkey Curry, Amy! We're glad you like the recipe and we hope your family enjoys it too.
Ann says
What a great idea to use up some extra holiday turkey leftovers. I have not tried turkey curry before, but it sounds delicious!
Kay says
Thanks for trying our Leftover Turkey Curry Ann, we're glad you like the idea of using up holiday leftovers! 🙂
Jamie says
An awesome curry dish made with our (leftover) turkey. Such a great idea to make another dish out of this! Everybody definitely loves curry and this one totally looks so yummy!
Kay says
Thank you for trying our Leftover Turkey Curry Jamie, I'm glad you and your family enjoyed it. It is definitely a great way to use up leftover turkey!