18 Leftover Turkey Recipe Southern Dive Into Deliciousness!
Published on: Apr 2, 2024
As the holiday season comes to an end, many of us find ourselves with an abundance of leftover turkey. Rather than letting it go to waste, why not get creative in the kitchen and whip up some delicious southern-inspired dishes? Not only will this save you money and reduce food waste, but it will also add some variety to your post-holiday meals. Here are some mouth-watering leftover turkey recipes with a southern twist that will have your taste buds singing and your family asking for seconds.
No Southern meal is complete without a side of delicious black-eyed peas. These tender, creamy legumes are a staple in Southern cooking and can be found on tables all across the region. The key to making the perfect batch of Southern black-eyed peas is slow cooking them with flavorful ingredients like bacon, onions, and spices. For an extra kick of heat, add some diced jalapeños or red pepper flakes. Serve these black-eyed peas alongside your beer can chicken for a truly Southern feast.
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Southern Smothered Turkey Necks
Main Ingredients: Turkey Necks, Seasoning Salt, Kosher Salt, Cayenne
If you're looking for a unique and flavorful way to prepare turkey, look no further than Southern smothered turkey necks. This dish features tender turkey necks slow-cooked in a savory gravy made with onions, garlic, and spices. The result is a rich and comforting dish that pairs perfectly with beer can chicken. Serve the turkey necks on a bed of rice or with some crusty bread to soak up all that delicious gravy.
No Southern meal is complete without a side of greens. Whether it's collards, turnip greens, or mustard greens, these leafy greens are a staple in Southern cooking. To make the perfect batch of Southern greens, start by sautéing onions and garlic in a large pot. Then add in your greens, some chicken broth, and a dash of hot sauce. Let them cook down until they're tender and serve alongside your beer can chicken for a well-rounded meal.
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Southern-inspired Sweet Potato & Corn Muffins
Main Ingredients: Oat Flour, Cornmeal, Baking Powder, Baking Soda
If you want to add a touch of Southern flair to your beer can chicken meal, try making some sweet potato and corn muffins. These fluffy and flavorful muffins are made with mashed sweet potatoes, whole kernel corn, and a touch of brown sugar. The result is a deliciously sweet and savory muffin that pairs perfectly with the smoky flavors of beer can chicken. Serve them warm with a pat of butter for an irresistible side dish.
Giblet gravy is a classic Southern accompaniment to roast poultry, and it's the perfect addition to your beer can chicken meal. This savory gravy is made with the organs from the chicken, along with onions, celery, and spices. It's thickened with a flour and butter roux, making it the perfect consistency to drizzle over your beer can chicken. Don't let those chicken organs go to waste – turn them into a delicious gravy that will elevate your meal to the next level.
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Southern Green Beans with Smoked Turkey
Main Ingredients: Frozen Green Beans, Turkey Leg, Water, Minced Garlic
Green beans are a classic Southern side dish, and this recipe takes them to the next level with the addition of smoked turkey. The smoky flavor of the turkey infuses the beans, giving them a delicious depth of flavor. These beans are cooked low and slow with onions, garlic, and spices until they're tender and bursting with flavor. Serve them alongside your beer can chicken for a Southern-style feast.
For a light and refreshing side dish to pair with your beer can chicken, try making a Southern-style turkey salad. This salad features tender chunks of roasted turkey mixed with celery, onions, and a creamy dressing. Serve it on a bed of lettuce or on some crusty bread for a satisfying and tasty accompaniment to your meal. You can even use leftover beer can chicken in this recipe for a tasty twist on a classic Southern dish.
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Spicy & Smoky Southern Black Eyed Peas
Main Ingredients: Chicken Stock, Turkey Wings, Black Eyed Peas, White
If you want to add some heat and smokiness to your Southern black-eyed peas, try this spicy and smoky version. It features all the classic ingredients – bacon, onions, and spices – but adds in some diced jalapeños and smoked paprika for an extra kick. The result is a flavorful and bold side dish that pairs perfectly with beer can chicken. Serve the black-eyed peas with a sprinkle of cilantro and a squeeze of lime for a burst of freshness.
Collard greens are a staple in Southern cooking, and for good reason. These hearty greens are full of flavor and nutrients, making them the perfect side dish for your beer can chicken meal. This recipe features a simple preparation of sautéed onions and garlic, chicken broth, and spices. The collard greens are cooked until tender but still have a slight bite, making them the perfect complement to the tender and juicy beer can chicken.
If you want to make collard greens but don't have time to stand over the stove, try this slow cooker version. Simply throw all the ingredients – collard greens, onions, garlic, broth, and spices – into your slow cooker and let it do the work for you. The result is a flavorful and tender side dish that pairs perfectly with beer can chicken. This is also a great option for making collard greens ahead of time for a busy weeknight meal.
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Southern Style Pressure Cooker Collard Greens
Main Ingredients: Turkey Leg, Onion, Garlic, Chicken Broth, Collard
If you have a pressure cooker, you can make perfectly tender and flavorful collard greens in a fraction of the time. This recipe features all the classic ingredients – onions, garlic, broth, and spices – but uses the pressure cooker to cook the greens in just a few minutes. The result is a delicious and convenient side dish that pairs perfectly with beer can chicken. This is a great option for those busy weeknights when you want a hearty and healthy meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
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Southern Cornbread – Southern Skillet Cornbread
Main Ingredients: Butter, Yellow Cornmeal, Flour, Baking Soda, Salt
No Southern meal is complete without a side of cornbread, and this Southern skillet cornbread is the perfect accompaniment to your beer can chicken. This recipe features a classic combination of cornmeal, flour, sugar, and buttermilk, but adds in some diced jalapeños and cheddar cheese for an extra kick. It's baked in a cast-iron skillet for a crispy and golden crust. Serve it warm with some butter for a delicious and comforting side dish.
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Sweet Tea and Citrus Brined Turkey
Main Ingredients: Water, Tea Bags, Brown Sugar, Kosher Salt, Onion
If you want to take your beer can chicken meal to the next level, try brining your turkey in a mixture of sweet tea and citrus. This brine infuses the turkey with a subtle sweetness and a hint of citrus that pairs perfectly with the smoky flavors of the beer can chicken. Brining also helps keep the turkey moist and tender, ensuring a delicious and juicy bird every time.
Cornbread dressing, also known as cornbread stuffing, is a classic Southern side dish that is a must-have at any holiday meal. This recipe features a combination of cornbread, white bread, onions, celery, and spices, all soaked in a flavorful broth and baked to perfection. The result is a hearty and comforting dish that pairs perfectly with beer can chicken. Serve it alongside your meal or use it to stuff the beer can chicken for a flavorful twist on a classic dish.
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Grate's Great Collard Greens(Southern Collard Greens...
Main Ingredients: Collard Greens, Turkey Wing, Salt, White Sugar, Hot
This recipe for Southern collard greens comes from renowned barbecue pitmaster, Rodney Scott. The secret to these greens is adding a touch of vinegar for some tang and a sprinkle of sugar for a touch of sweetness. The result is a perfectly balanced and flavorful side dish that pairs perfectly with beer can chicken. Make sure to serve these greens with some hot sauce on the side for those who like a little extra heat.
Sausage gravy is a classic Southern breakfast dish, but it also makes a great accompaniment to beer can chicken. This gravy is made with crumbled breakfast sausage, onions, and spices, all cooked in a creamy and flavorful gravy. Serve it over biscuits or on top of your beer can chicken for a hearty and delicious meal. For an extra kick of flavor, add some diced bell peppers or hot sauce to the gravy.
This simple recipe for Southern green beans lets the natural flavors of the beans shine. They're cooked with bacon, onions, and a touch of sugar for a hint of sweetness. The result is a tender and flavorful side dish that pairs perfectly with beer can chicken. This is a great option for those who prefer a more simple and traditional approach to their Southern side dishes.
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Southern Greens and Potlikker
Main Ingredients: Olive Oil, Onion, Garlic, Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
Potlikker, also known as pot liquor, is the flavorful liquid that remains after cooking greens. It's often used as a broth or dressing for the greens, but it can also be enjoyed on its own as a nutritious and flavorful drink. This recipe features a combination of collard greens, turnip greens, and mustard greens cooked with bacon, onions, and spices. Serve the greens and potlikker alongside your beer can chicken for a satisfying and nutritious meal.
For a twist on the classic cornbread dressing, try making this Southern-style cornbread stuffing. It features all the traditional ingredients – cornbread, white bread, onions, celery, and spices – but adds in some diced apples and cranberries for a touch of sweetness and tartness. The result is a flavorful and festive side dish that pairs perfectly with beer can chicken. This is a great option for holiday meals or anytime you want a special and delicious side dish.
This recipe for Southern style collard greens is a classic and foolproof way to prepare this beloved side dish. The greens are cooked low and slow with onions, garlic, and spices until they're tender and full of flavor. Serve them alongside your beer can chicken for a traditional Southern meal that will satisfy and comfort your taste buds. This recipe is also a great way to introduce collard greens to those who may not have tried them before.
As the holiday season comes to an end, many of us find ourselves with an abundance of leftover turkey. Rather than letting it go to waste, why not get creative in the kitchen and whip up some delicious southern-inspired dishes? Not only will this save you money and reduce food waste, but it will also add some variety to your post-holiday meals. Here are some mouth-watering leftover turkey recipes with a southern twist that will have your taste buds singing and your family asking for seconds.
1. Southern Turkey Pot Pie
Ingredients:
2 cups of leftover turkey, chopped
1 cup frozen vegetables (corn, peas, carrots)
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
1 tbsp butter
1 onion, diced
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp dried parsley
Salt and pepper to taste
1 sheet of pre-made pie crust
Directions:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add in the diced onion and cook until softened.
Add in the leftover turkey, frozen vegetables, chicken broth, heavy cream, garlic powder, thyme, parsley, and salt and pepper. Stir to combine and let it simmer for 5 minutes.
Transfer the mixture to a pie dish and cover with the pre-made pie crust. Cut slits in the crust to allow steam to escape.
Bake for 30 minutes or until the crust is golden brown.
This savory and hearty dish is perfect for a cozy night in and will have you wishing for leftovers all year round.
2. Cajun Turkey and Rice Soup
Ingredients:
2 cups leftover turkey, shredded
1 cup cooked white rice
1 can diced tomatoes
1 onion, diced
1 green pepper, diced
3 cloves of garlic, minced
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp cayenne pepper
4 cups chicken broth
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
In a large pot, sauté the diced onion and green pepper until softened. Add in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
Add in the leftover turkey, diced tomatoes, cooked rice, dried thyme, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, and chicken broth. Stir to combine and let it simmer for 20 minutes.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve hot and enjoy the spicy kick of this delicious soup.
This recipe is a great way to use up your leftover turkey and add some southern flair to your meal.
3. Turkey and Cranberry Grilled Cheese
Ingredients:
2 slices of bread
2 slices of leftover turkey
2 slices of cheddar cheese
1/4 cup cranberry sauce
1 tbsp butter
Directions:
Butter one side of each slice of bread.
Place one slice of bread, butter side down, in a skillet over medium heat.
Layer one slice of cheese, turkey, cranberry sauce, and the other slice of cheese on top of the bread in the skillet.
Place the other slice of bread on top, butter side up.
Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side or until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
This unconventional grilled cheese is a tasty way to use up your leftover turkey and cranberry sauce in a unique and delicious way.
No matter how much leftover turkey you have, these southern-inspired recipes will have you looking forward to using them up. With a little creativity and some key ingredients, you can transform your holiday leftovers into mouth-watering meals that your whole family will love. So don't let that turkey go to waste, give these recipes a try and add some southern flair to your post-holiday menu.
![Southern Smothered Turkey Necks [Video] | Turkey neck recipe, Cooking ...](https://i.pinimg.com/736x/86/5c/a8/865ca8be31e2f1c9797b421b69a2888d.jpg)
