This simple leftover turkey curry is the perfect way to give new life to your roast dinner leftovers. Packed with flavour and ready in 45 minutes, it’s tomatoey, mildly spiced, and ideal for using up Christmas turkey, chicken, or even roast veggies. With a simple homemade curry sauce and store cupboard ingredients, this dish turns leftovers into a comforting, crowd-pleasing meal that’s far from second best!
It's a great recipe for using up leftovers for Boxing Day or post-roast meal planning and can also be frozen or adapted with chicken.
There's minimal prep required making it an easy alternative to ordering in a takeaway curry!
Tips
- Optional variations:
- Use up leftover roast vegetables like carrots, parsnips or potatoes.
- Add chickpeas or lentils for extra substance.
- A spoonful of mango chutney or yogurt will add sweetness and creaminess.
- This simple leftover turkey curry recipe is easily adapted if you’re cooking for less or more people.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes - the sauce can be made up to 2 days in advance. Add the turkey just before serving.
Yes - freeze in portions for up to 3 months. Defrost thoroughly and reheat until piping hot.
Yes - this recipe works perfectly with leftover chicken, beef, or even roasted vegetables.
It’s mild to medium depending on your curry powder — add chilli for extra heat.
Add a splash of water or stock until you reach the right consistency.
Gently on the hob over a medium heat until piping hot, adding a splash of stock or milk to loosen the sauce, or in the microwave.
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HOW TO MAKE THIS SIMPLE LEFTOVER TURKEY CURRY
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 onions (approx. 250g), chopped
- 0.25 tsp salt
- 1 tsp garlic paste
- 4 tbsp curry powder (use medium or tikka)
- 2 tsp ground ginger
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 2 x 400g tins chopped tomatoes
- 4 tbsp tomato puree
- 500ml chicken stock (made using 1 stock pot or cube)
- 0.25 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 500g leftover turkey (or chicken), shredded or cut into 3cm to 4cm chunks
- 2 tbsp fresh coriander, roughly chopped, plus extra to garnish
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over a medium heat, add the chopped onions and cook for 7 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened.
- Add the garlic paste, curry powder, ginger and cumin and continue to cook for 2 minutes until aromatic, stirring to mix well. Then add the tins of tomatoes, tomato puree and chicken stock. Stir well and season with 0.25 tsp freshly ground black pepper.
- Bring to the boil then reduce to a simmer for 20 minutes. Add the chunks of turkey (or chicken) and chopped coriander, and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Serve, garnished with extra coriander leaves and your choice of Indian sides.
Serving Suggestions
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Simple Leftover Turkey Curry
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 onions (approx. 250g) chopped
- 0.25 tsp salt
- 1 tsp garlic paste
- 4 tbsp curry powder (use medium or tikka)
- 2 tsp ground ginger
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 2 x 400 g (28.2 oz) tins chopped tomatoes
- 4 tbsp tomato puree
- 500 ml (2 cups) chicken stock (made using 1 stock pot or cube)
- 0.25 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 500 g (1.1 lb) leftover turkey (or chicken) shredded or cut into 3cm to 4cm chunks
- 2 tbsp fresh coriander roughly chopped, plus extra to garnish
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over a medium heat, add the chopped onions and cook for 7 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened.
- Add the garlic paste, curry powder, ginger and cumin and continue to cook for 2 minutes until aromatic, stirring to mix well. Then add the tins of tomatoes, tomato puree and chicken stock. Stir well and season with 0.25 tsp freshly ground black pepper.
- Bring to the boil then reduce to a simmer for 20 minutes. Add the chunks of turkey (or chicken) and chopped coriander, and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Serve, garnished with extra coriander leaves and your choice of Indian sides.
Notes
- Optional variations:
- Use up leftover roast vegetables like carrots, parsnips or potatoes.
- Add chickpeas or lentils for extra substance.
- A spoonful of mango chutney or yogurt will add sweetness and creaminess.
- This simple leftover turkey curry recipe is easily adapted if you’re cooking for less or more people.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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