16 Japanese Recipe For Leftover Turkey Get Cooking And Enjoy!
Published on: Mar 26, 2024
If you're struggling with what to do with all that leftover turkey from Thanksgiving, look no further. We've got a delicious and authentic Japanese recipe that will transform your leftovers into a completely new and exciting meal. This recipe is not only simple and easy to make, but it also incorporates traditional Japanese flavors and ingredients for a unique twist on your usual turkey dish. So let's get cooking and turn those leftovers into a mouth-watering meal that your whole family will love.
Japanese Pork Katsu is a popular dish in Japan, made with breaded and fried pork cutlets. It's a simple and delicious meal that can be served with rice, cabbage, and tonkatsu sauce for a full and satisfying meal. To make it, simply coat the pork in flour, dip it in egg, and then coat it in panko breadcrumbs before frying until crispy and golden brown. Serve it with a squeeze of lemon and tonkatsu sauce for a classic Japanese flavor.
These Japanese style pancakes are a fluffy and delicious twist on the traditional pancake. Made with a mixture of flour, sugar, milk, and egg yolks, these pancakes are then topped with whipped egg whites to give them their signature height and fluffiness. Serve them with maple syrup, fresh fruit, or even a dollop of whipped cream for a sweet and satisfying breakfast.
Known for its light and airy texture, Japanese ‘Cotton’ Cheesecake is a must-try for any dessert lover. Made with cream cheese, eggs, and sugar, this cheesecake is baked in a water bath to ensure a smooth and creamy texture. The result is a delicate and fluffy cake that is sure to impress. Serve it with a dusting of powdered sugar and fresh berries for a beautiful and delicious dessert.
Okonomiyaki is a savory Japanese pancake that is often referred to as a "Japanese pizza". It's made with a batter of flour, eggs, and shredded cabbage, and can be customized with your choice of toppings such as pork belly, shrimp, or squid. The pancake is then topped with a variety of sauces, including okonomiyaki sauce and Japanese mayo, and sprinkled with bonito flakes for added flavor. It's a fun and delicious dish that can be enjoyed as a main meal or as a snack.
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Japanese Cucumber Salad (Sunomono)
Main Ingredients: English Cucumber, Salt, Sugar, Soy Sauce, Rice Vinegar
Sunomono is a refreshing Japanese cucumber salad that is perfect for hot summer days. Made with thinly sliced cucumbers, rice vinegar, and sugar, this salad is a balance of sweet and tangy flavors. It can also be customized with other ingredients such as seaweed, shrimp, or octopus. Serve it as a side dish or as a topping for sushi for a light and refreshing addition to any meal.
Ramen is a beloved Japanese noodle dish that has gained popularity all over the world. It consists of noodles served in a savory broth and topped with various ingredients such as chashu pork, soft-boiled egg, and green onions. The key to a good ramen is the broth, which can take hours to make and is often flavored with soy sauce, miso, or tonkotsu. But once you take your first bite of this flavorful and comforting dish, you'll understand why it's a favorite among many.
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Japanese Rice Balls Onigiri
Main Ingredients: Cooked Rice, Umeboshi, Bonito Flakes, Soy Sauce, Mirin
Onigiri, also known as rice balls, are a staple in Japanese cuisine. They are made by forming rice into a triangular or cylindrical shape and filling them with various ingredients such as pickled plum, grilled salmon, or tuna mayo. They are often wrapped in nori seaweed for easy handling and can be enjoyed as a snack or as part of a meal. Onigiri is a great way to use up leftover rice and is a convenient and tasty option for a quick lunch.
Udon noodle soup is a hearty and comforting dish that is perfect for cold weather. Made with thick and chewy udon noodles in a flavorful broth, this soup is often served with various toppings such as tempura, tofu, or beef. The broth is usually made with dashi, a Japanese soup stock, and can be flavored with soy sauce, miso, or mirin. It's a satisfying and delicious meal that will warm you up from the inside out.
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Japanese Gyoza Dumplings
Main Ingredients: Napa Cabbage, Ground Pork, Garlic, Fresh Ginger
Gyoza are Japanese dumplings that are filled with a mixture of ground meat, cabbage, and seasonings. They are then pan-fried until crispy and served with a dipping sauce made of soy sauce, rice vinegar, and chili oil. They can also be steamed or boiled for a healthier option. Gyoza is a popular appetizer or side dish in Japan, but they can also be enjoyed as a main meal with a side of rice and miso soup.
Japanese eggplant, also known as nasu, is a popular ingredient in Japanese cuisine. It has a thin and tender skin and a mild flavor, making it a versatile vegetable that can be used in many dishes. It can be grilled, fried, or roasted and is often served with a savory sauce made of soy sauce, mirin, and sugar. It's a delicious and healthy addition to any meal.
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Japanese Soba Noodles With Peanut Sauce
Main Ingredients: Soba Noodles, Unsalted Roasted Peanuts, Sesame Oil
Soba noodles are thin and chewy noodles made from buckwheat flour. They are a staple in Japanese cuisine and can be enjoyed in many ways, including cold with a dipping sauce or hot in a noodle soup. One popular way to enjoy soba noodles is with a peanut sauce, made with peanut butter, soy sauce, and sesame oil. This dish is not only delicious but also packed with protein and nutrients, making it a healthy and satisfying meal.
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Yakitori (Japanese Grilled Chicken)
Main Ingredients: Skinless Chicken Thighs, Soy Sauce, Pure Maple Syrup
Yakitori is a popular Japanese dish consisting of skewered and grilled chicken. It's a simple and flavorful dish that can be enjoyed as a snack or as part of a meal. The chicken is marinated in a sauce made of soy sauce, mirin, and sake before being grilled over hot coals. It's often served with a sprinkle of shichimi togarashi, a Japanese spice blend, for added flavor and heat.
Zucchini, or zucchini no miso-ni in Japanese, is a classic side dish in Japanese cuisine. It's made by sautéing zucchini in a sweet and savory miso sauce made of miso paste, sugar, and sake. This dish is not only flavorful but also quick and easy to make, making it a great addition to any meal.
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Japanese Beef Steak
Main Ingredients: Garlic, Sugar, Soy Sauce, Sake, Water, New York Steaks
Japanese beef steak, or gyu steak, is a popular dish that is often served at special occasions or celebrations. It's made with high-quality cuts of beef, such as Kobe beef or Matsusaka beef, and cooked to perfection over a hot grill. The result is a tender and flavorful steak that is often served with a side of garlic butter rice and ponzu sauce for dipping.
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Katsudon Japanese Pork Cutlet and Egg Rice Bowl
Main Ingredients: Boneless Pork Chops, Salt, Pepper, Flour, Egg, Panko
Katsudon is a rice bowl dish that consists of a breaded and fried pork cutlet, tonkatsu, served over a bed of rice and topped with a sweet and savory sauce made of soy sauce, mirin, and dashi. The dish is then topped with a fluffy and runny egg, which adds a rich and creamy texture to the dish. Katsudon is a simple and delicious meal that is perfect for lunch or dinner.
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Japanese Sweet Potato Okonomiyaki
Main Ingredients: Plain Flour, Baking Powder, Vegetable Stock, Eggs, Soy
Sweet potatoes, or satsuma imo in Japanese, are a popular ingredient in Japanese cuisine. They are often used in both savory and sweet dishes, including this unique twist on the classic okonomiyaki. This version is made with grated sweet potatoes, flour, and eggs, and is topped with pork belly, green onions, and bonito flakes. The result is a delicious and hearty pancake that is perfect for breakfast or as a snack.
Japanese curry, or kare, is a comfort food that has gained popularity all over the world. It's a thick and flavorful curry made with a roux of flour, butter, and curry powder and can be customized with various ingredients such as vegetables, chicken, or beef. It's often served with a side of rice and fukujinzuke, a pickled relish, for added texture and flavor.
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Japanese Yaki Udon For Beginners
Main Ingredients: Udon Noodles, Sesame Oil, Garlic, Rice Vinegar, Pepper
Yaki udon is a stir-fried noodle dish that is popular in Japan. It's made with thick and chewy udon noodles, pork, cabbage, and carrots, and flavored with a sauce made of soy sauce, mirin, and oyster sauce. This dish is not only delicious but also easy to make, making it a great option for beginners. Serve it with a sprinkle of shichimi togarashi for a spicy kick.
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Japanese Ramen with Chicken
Main Ingredients: Chicken Breasts, Salt, Pepper, Unsalted Butter, Sesame
If you're looking for a lighter and healthier version of traditional ramen, try making it with chicken instead of pork. This dish is made with a flavorful chicken broth, chicken breast, and a variety of vegetables, making it a wholesome and satisfying meal. Top it with green onions, bamboo shoots, and a soft-boiled egg for a complete and delicious bowl of ramen.
Tonkatsu is a breaded and fried pork cutlet that is a staple in Japanese cuisine. It's made with thin slices of pork that are coated in flour, dipped in egg, and then coated in panko breadcrumbs before being fried until crispy and golden brown. It's often served with a side of rice, shredded cabbage, and tonkatsu sauce for a classic and satisfying meal.
The Perfect Turkey Fried Rice
Ingredients:
2 cups of cooked leftover turkey, shredded
4 cups of cooked white rice
1 cup of frozen peas and carrots
3 tablespoons of soy sauce
2 tablespoons of sesame oil
1 onion, diced
2 cloves of garlic, minced
2 eggs, beaten
Salt and pepper to taste
First, heat the sesame oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat. Add in the diced onion and minced garlic and sauté until fragrant.
Next, add in the frozen peas and carrots and sauté for a few minutes until they begin to soften.
Now, add in the shredded turkey and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until heated through.
Push all the ingredients to one side of the pan and pour in the beaten eggs on the other side. Scramble the eggs until fully cooked, then mix them in with the rest of the ingredients.
Add in the cooked white rice and soy sauce, mixing everything together until well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Continue to cook and stir for another 5-7 minutes until all the ingredients are heated through and the rice begins to slightly crisp.
And there you have it, a delicious and unique way to use up those leftover turkey from Thanksgiving. The combination of traditional Japanese flavors and the incorporation of your leftover turkey creates a fusion of flavors that is sure to impress. Serve with some pickled ginger and a drizzle of soy sauce on top for an extra burst of flavor.
So don't let those leftovers go to waste, give this Japanese fried rice recipe a try and enjoy a new and exciting meal with your family.