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If you're staring at a container of leftover turkey and wondering what to do with it, this creamy Turkey à la King is the answer. It's warm, comforting, and the perfect way to give Thanksgiving leftovers a delicious second life. Picture tender turkey pieces, buttery mushrooms, and sweet peas all swimming in a rich, velvety cream sauce—ready in just 25 minutes.
Whether you serve it over biscuits, puff pastry, toast, or rice, this Turkey à la King transforms leftovers into a cozy and satisfying post-holiday meal.
Jump to:
- Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- What It Tastes Like
- Ingredients You’ll Need
- Easy Substitutions
- How to Make Turkey à la King
- Serving Suggestions
- Make It Festive for Thanksgiving Leftovers
- Leftovers and Reheating
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes You’ll Love
- Find More Inspiration
- Turkey à la King
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Quick and Easy
This is a one-pan recipe that comes together in just 25 minutes—perfect when you're still recovering from Thanksgiving dinner prep.
Family-Friendly and Comforting
Kids and adults alike love it. The creamy sauce and mild flavors are total crowd-pleasers.
The Ultimate Thanksgiving Leftovers Makeover
Turn leftover turkey into something totally new—no more boring sandwiches or dry reheats!
What It Tastes Like
Turkey à la King is rich, creamy, and perfectly savory. The mushrooms add a delicate earthiness, the peas bring sweetness and texture, and everything is held together in a silky cream sauce. When served over biscuits or puff pastry, it’s the kind of meal that feels like a warm hug after a long day.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 fresh mushrooms, sliced
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup cooked turkey, chopped
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ⅓ cup frozen peas, thawed
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Easy Substitutions
- No turkey? Use cooked chicken or ham instead.
- Dairy-free? Try a plant-based heavy cream alternative.
- No mushrooms? Bell peppers or cooked carrots work too.
- Gluten-free? Use gluten-free flour and serve over mashed potatoes or rice.
How to Make Turkey à la King
- Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat until it turns golden brown.
- Add the mushrooms and sauté for about 3 minutes, until tender.
- Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute, forming a smooth paste.
- Whisk in the chicken broth slowly, stirring until the sauce starts to thicken.
- Add the turkey, cream, and peas. Reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Season with salt and pepper, and garnish with chopped parsley.
That’s it! Serve hot over your favorite base.
Serving Suggestions
- Biscuits: Classic and comforting.
- Puff Pastry Shells: Fancy and flaky for a more elevated presentation.
- Toast: Quick and simple—great for lunch.
- Rice or Egg Noodles: For a hearty, filling dinner.
Make It Festive for Thanksgiving Leftovers
This is the perfect day-after-Thanksgiving recipe. Here’s how to give it extra holiday flair:
- Add a spoonful of leftover stuffing as a topping.
- Sprinkle with a little cranberry sauce for a sweet-tart contrast.
- Use leftover veggies like roasted carrots or green beans as mix-ins.
Leftovers and Reheating
Storage
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheating
Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of broth or cream to loosen it up. You can also microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring between each.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Freeze in airtight containers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Absolutely—just use a larger skillet and double all the ingredients.
Yes, prepare the sauce and add turkey and peas just before serving to keep everything fresh.
More Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes You’ll Love
Need more ideas for your turkey leftovers? Try these reader favorites:
- Easy Turkey Shepherd’s Pie (Thanksgiving Dinner)
- Turkey Salad Recipe – Leftover Thanksgiving Meal
- Creamy Mexican Turkey Soup
These are all great ways to keep things fresh, creative, and delicious after the holiday is over.
Find More Inspiration
Looking for more Thanksgiving leftover ideas or cozy weeknight meals? Follow us on Pinterest for seasonal recipes, comfort food classics, and holiday cooking tips:
👉 Follow on Pinterest
Have you tried this Turkey à la King recipe?
Leave a comment below or tag @bakewithlina on Pinterest or Instagram I’d love to see how you served it!
Turkey à la King
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
This turkey à la king recipe features leftover turkey, peas, and mushrooms in a creamy sauce. Delicious served over puff pastry, biscuits, toast, or rice.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 fresh mushrooms, sliced
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup chopped cooked turkey
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ⅓ cup frozen peas, thawed
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Freshly chopped parsley for garnishing
Instructions
- Cook and stir butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat until golden brown.
- Add mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 3 minutes.
- Stir in flour until smooth, then slowly whisk in chicken broth and cook until slightly thickened.
- Stir in turkey, cream, and peas. Reduce heat to low and cook until sauce has thickened, about 5 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper and garnish with parsley.
Notes
You can substitute chopped cooked chicken or ham for turkey. Stir in 2 tablespoons dry sherry along with the broth for added flavor. Feel free to add additional vegetables, such as carrots or bell peppers.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 233
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 92mg
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 83mg
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