Turkey a la King Recipe (with Leftovers) (2024)

By: Author Julie Menghini

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Turkey a la King is an easy one-pot meal that comes together in 20 minutes. It’s a deliciously creamy Leftover Turkey Recipe that you’ll want to make all year.

Turkey a la King Recipe (with Leftovers) (1)

Turkey a la King is a quick and easy comfort dish meal that comes together in under 20 minutes.

Leftover Turkey a la King is a great way to use up leftover chicken or turkey, and the ways to serve it is endless.

This family favorite uses ordinary ingredients and is a perfect answer for when they ask “what’s for dinner?”!

Growing up, Turkey ala King would have been considered a foreign dish.

We were a meat and potatoes family with all of the benefits of fresh fruit and vegetables you can find in a Midwest agricultural community.

Turkey a la King Recipe (with Leftovers) (2)

What does a la king mean?

Simply, the definition of à la king means “served in a cream sauce with mushrooms and pimiento or green peppers”.

In our opinion, à la king means easy comfort food. It’s like a pot pie without the crust.

This Recipe for Turkey a la King is a favorite in our kitchen and believe it will be yours for the following reasons:

  • Uses ordinary ingredients.
  • Versatile ingredients make it a recipe your family will love.
  • Perfect for using leftovers.
  • Tastes just as good the second day as the first.
  • One-pot recipe.
  • Done in less than 20 minutes.

We make this recipe a lot after Thanksgiving when we’re going through our leftover turkey recipes such as our Leftover Turkey Casserole.

You know, when you don’t dare serve one more turkey sandwich? The flavors in this Turkey a la King converts turkey into a brand new meal.

It’s also great for converting dry turkey into a creamy dish that the whole family will love.

How to make Turkey a la King

There are basically three steps in making the easy Turkey a la King recipe.

  1. Chop and saute the vegetables.
  2. Create the cream sauce using flour and stock or broth followed by cream.
  3. Add turkey.

I told you it was easy right?

Turkey a la King Recipe (with Leftovers) (3)

Variations you can make to this Turkey a la King Recipe

The definition in this recipe states that it’s made with mushrooms and pimentos.

We didn’t use pimentos because I rarely have them on hand. We love mushrooms in this recipe so always get some when I do my holiday shopping for our leftover recipes.

Vegetables – We’ll also include celery, onions, carrots or green or red peppers. You can clean out the vegetable drawer with this recipe!

Butter – We used unsalted but you can use salted. If you do taste the dish before salting it further. You can substitute the butter for cooking oil.

Turkey – This recipe is delicious with leftover chicken too. Grab a rotisserie chicken on the way home from work for an Easy Chicken a la King dinner.

Stock or Broth – Here’s another great way to use leftovers! Use leftover turkey stock or thin your turkey gravy to a stock-like consistency. The flavor will be over the top!

Cream – Just a little bit really adds a richness and velvety smooth texture to the dish. You can substitute the cream for half-and-half or even milk. Any variety will do.

That makes it perfect at any time of year! It’s warm comfort food in the winter and quick enough to make that it will not heat up the kitchen in the summer.

Turkey a la King Recipe (with Leftovers) (4)

How to Serve Turkey a la King

  • Leftover Turkey a la King is delicious served over leftover mashed potatoes, stuffing, or dressing!
  • Spoon it over baked puff pastry or refrigerator biscuits for a semi-homemade meal.
  • Rice is delicious and adds whole grain to your meal.
  • Noodles make Turkey a la King a kiddo favorite. We love the wide noodles because they hold up well with this dish.

Leftover Turkey Recipes

Any dish that calls for cooked chicken or turkey is perfect for using leftover turkey. Here are a few you may enjoy.

  • Turkey and Cheese Crescent Rolls
  • Healthy Chicken Pot Pie Soup
  • Hot Turkey Sandwich
  • Leftover Turkey Casserole
  • Turkey Stew

What you need to make this recipe

Hostess At Heart participates in affiliate programs. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases. Please refer to mydisclosure pagefor more information about these affiliate programs.

You don’t need a lot of fancy equipment to make this recipe. One of the most used skillets in my kitchen is actually a braiser. I love the wide bottom for even cooking.

We also use silicone spatulas. They don’t scratch our cookware and wear like iron. They’re cost-effective and the colors are FUN!

If you like this recipe, we would appreciate your comment and a 5-star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review!

Turkey a la King Recipe (with Leftovers) (5)

Turkey a la King

Author: Julie Menghini

Turkey a la King is an easy one-pot meal that comes together in under 20 minutes. It's a deliciously creamy Leftover Turkey recipe that you'll want to make all year long.

4.73 from 18 votes

Print Recipe Collect Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Course Main Dish

Cuisine American

Keyword: Leftovers, Turkey a la King, Turkey recipe

Servings: 8

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup butter salted or unsalted
  • 1/4 cup red pepper green or other colors work too
  • 1/4 cup green onions may substitute other variety
  • 1 cup mushrooms I use portobella but any variety will work
  • 3 tbsp flour
  • 2 cups chicken broth 14.5 oz can works
  • 1/2 cup cream half-n-half or milk will work
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
  • cups turkey cooked, shredded or diced

Instructions

  • In the bottom of a large skillet, melt the butter. Chop and add the red pepper, onion, and mushrooms. Saute until al dente or 5 minutes on medium-high.

  • Stir in flour. Continue stirring until smooth. Add the chicken stock.

  • Slowly drizzle in the cream, and stir using a spatula until the mixture starts to thicken.

  • Add the cooked turkey. Stir to combine. Add salt and pepper to taste.

  • Serve immediately.

Notes

This recipe is amazing served over noodles, potatoes, rice, or dressing. Make it your own by using the veggies that you have on hand or enjoy.

Nutrition

Calories: 215kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 8gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 73mgSodium: 503mgPotassium: 184mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 768IUVitamin C: 11mgCalcium: 22mgIron: 1mg

Nutritional Disclaimer

This recipe was calculated using the exact brands and measurements I used to make this recipe. If you are following a strict diet please note changing anything will cause the nutritional info to change. My calculations are intended as a guide only.

Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!

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Turkey a la King Recipe (with Leftovers) (6)

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Turkey a la King Recipe (with Leftovers) (2024)

FAQs

What to do with over cooked turkey? ›

In addition to gravy, you can also save dry turkey with a little chicken (or even better, turkey) stock or broth. Place your carved meat in a shallow baking dish and cover it with stock. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and place in low oven, somewhere around 250 degrees, for 5-10 minutes.

What is turkey a la king made of? ›

This turkey à la king recipe features turkey, peas, and mushrooms in a creamy sauce served over puff pastry boats, biscuits, toast, or rice.

How to make dry leftover turkey moist? ›

Plate the Turkey on Top of Gravy

If the turkey is dry, sitting in the moist gravy will help to rehydrate it. Serving more sauce on the side also helps to add moisture. Finally, if you've made a large turkey and have a lot left over, use it in recipes such as Turkey Pot Pie or a soup such as Turkey Wild Rice.

What does a la king mean in cooking? ›

/ˌæ lə ˈkɪŋ/ cut into small pieces and cooked in a sauce that contains cream and vegetables: This restaurant serves a wonderful chicken à la king. They cooked turnips à la king.

How do you reheat leftover turkey without drying it out? ›

Simply heat your oven to 300 degrees, put the carved meat in a baking dish, and add some chicken broth or turkey stock to the pan. The meat will absorb some of the liquid as it heats, making it nice and juicy. Cover the pan tightly with foil and place it in the oven until the meat is hot, 20 to 30 minutes.

How long does leftover cooked turkey last in the fridge? ›

USDA recommends using cooked turkey within 3 to 4 days, kept refrigerated (40°F or less). Refrigeration slows but does not stop bacterial growth. Turkey can be frozen for 3 to 4 months. Although safe indefinitely, frozen leftovers can lose moisture and flavor when stored for longer times in the freezer.

What is Ala King made of? ›

Chicken à la King ('chicken in the style of King') is a dish consisting of diced chicken in a cream sauce, often with sherry, mushrooms, and vegetables, generally served over rice, noodles, or bread. It is also often served in a vol-au-vent or pastry case. It is sometimes made with tuna or turkey in place of chicken.

What is the white packet inside a turkey? ›

First, whether you're using the giblets or not, remember to take them out of the turkey. They are usually packaged in a paper or plastic bag placed inside the cavity of the bird, so you definitely don't want to cook your turkey with the bag still in there. Turkey giblets are most commonly used to make a giblet gravy.

Why is my turkey tough after cooking? ›

Collagen in the bird (one of three protein fibers that attaches muscles to the bone) breaks down into softer gelatin molecules as it unwinds. If a turkey is cooked too long, the muscle proteins coagulate within the meat and cause dryness.

Why did my turkey fall apart? ›

If you brine the turkey for too long then it can start to have a negative effect and the proteins in the meat will start to break down, causing the meat to fall apart. So always keep to the guideline times and if your cooking time changes, remove the turkey from the brine, pat it dry and refrigerate it until needed.

Can I cook a turkey the day before and reheat it? ›

When serving your turkey the next day, the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline advises that cooked turkey may be eaten cold or reheated. To reheat your turkey, USDA gives the following recommendations: In the Oven: Set the oven temperature no lower than 325°F.

Where did turkey a la king come from? ›

Many believe it to be an American invention, as in chicken or turkey a la king. Historical accounts are rich on this subject. According to one source, the dish originated at the original Delmonico`s restaurant in lower Manhattan back in the 1880s.

Why is chicken à la king called chicken à la king? ›

Some say it was created at New York's Brighton Beach Hotel in the 1890s and named after its proprietor E. Clark King II. Some claim it originated in England, while others say it's from Philadelphia. Regardless of where it started, by the turn of the century, chicken à la king was everywhere.

What does Royale mean in cooking? ›

(ˈ)rȯ(i)¦yal. plural -s. 1. : an egg custard cooked and set in a mold, cut into various shapes when cold, and added as a garnish to clear soups.

What to do with a turkey that is done too early? ›

If it's done around an hour early, let it rest uncovered for about 20 to 30 minutes. Then cover your turkey with some foil and a thick towel or blanket to keep it warm. By letting it first rest you release the initial heat. That way it won't overcook once it's covered.

How do you cool down a cooked turkey? ›

Refrigerate turkey, loosely covered to help cool faster. Cover tightly when food is completely cooled.

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