Turkey a la King (Leftover Turkey Favorite!)

Turkey a la King turns leftover turkey into a hearty, 30-minute meal with vegetables and a creamy homemade sauce. It’s an easy one-skillet dinner that gives leftovers a fresh twist, much like my cozy turkey pot pie or creamy turkey casserole, making it the ultimate leftover turkey recipe.

Turkey A La King in the pan with a bowl of biscuits

Holly’s Recipe Highlights: Turkey à la King

Flavor: Rich, creamy, and savory with earthy mushrooms, sweet peas, mild peppers, and leftover turkey in every bite.
Why Make It: Made in one pan with easy clean-up, this recipe uses leftover turkey and a creamy homemade sauce that’s full of flavor.
Serving: Spoon it over homemade biscuits, pasta, rice pilaf, or mashed potatoes for the perfect meal.

Total Time: 23 Mins Servings: 4 Cooking Method: Stovetop

Ingredients Notes

broth , peas , half and half , sherry , onion , turkey , pepper , butter , flour , garlic powder , mushrooms , pimentos salt and pepper with labels to make Turkey a la King

Cooked Turkey: This is the perfect dish for using up leftover roast turkey. Chop or shred it before adding.
Brown Mushrooms: Use cremini mushrooms or white mushrooms, opting for pre-sliced mushrooms to save time on prep.
Green Bell Pepper: Green peppers add a pop of color and savory flavor. Replace with red peppers for a sweeter substitute.
Dry Sherry (optional): While optional, dry sherry adds so much flavor. For an alcohol-free option, try using extra broth with a small squeeze of lemon juice.
Half-and-Half: Use half-and-half or light cream for a rich sauce.
Frozen Peas: Use frozen peas or swap with a peas and carrots mixture and add directly from frozen so they stay bright and crisp.
Pimentos: Add an extra pop of sweetness and color, but can be omitted.

For meal prep, store the turkey mixture separately from the rice, egg noodles, or biscuits.

Use a 12-inch skillet to give the mushrooms and sauce plenty of room.
Brown the mushrooms before adding liquid for deeper flavor and a thicker sauce.
Keep the sauce at a gentle simmer to prevent the cream from separating.
Add turkey last and heat just until warm to keep it tender.

Storing Leftovers

Refrigerate: Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freeze: Freeze the filling in freezer-safe containers or bags for the best texture. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheat: Warm gently on the stovetop, adding additional broth or half-and-half if needed. For single servings, microwave in short intervals, stirring each time.

More Cozy Ways to Use Leftover Turkey

Did you make this Turkey a la King recipe? Leave a comment and rating below.

image of Everyday Comfort cookbook by Holly Nilsson of Spend With Pennies plus text

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 18 minutes

Total Time 23 minutes

In a large 12-inch skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms, onions, and bell pepper and cook until they begin to soften, about 5 minutes.
Add the sherry if using, and stir, cooking until most of the liquid is evaporated. Stir in the garlic powder, pepper, and salt.
Stir in the flour and cook for 2 minutes. While stirring, gradually add the turkey broth and cream. Turn the heat to a low simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened, about 5 to 7 minutes.
Add the peas, chopped pimentos, and turkey, cooking until heated through, about 3 to 4 minutes.
Serve over pasta, rice, or biscuits.

*A dry white wine such as Pinot Gris or Sauvignon Blanc can be used in place of sherry.
To freeze, ladle Turkey a la King into zippered bags or an airtight container. Mark with the date.

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Entree, Main Course, Turkey

Cuisine American

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