If you have leftover turkey and you’re wondering what to do with it beyond sandwiches and soups, I have just the answer for you: a Leftover Turkey Fried Rice Recipe that’s cozy, flavorful, and quick to whip up on a weeknight. I absolutely love how this dish transforms simple pantry staples and holiday leftovers into a fresh, comforting meal that your whole family can enjoy. Keep reading, and I promise you’ll want to make this your go-to for using up leftover turkey!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Transforms Leftovers into Happiness: Perfectly reinvents turkey that might otherwise get boring.
- Quick and Easy: Ready in about 20 minutes—ideal for a fast weeknight meal.
- Flavorful and Balanced: A great mix of vegetables, eggs, and savory seasonings.
- Customizable: You can easily tweak veggies or spices to match what you have on hand.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients blend together beautifully—leftover turkey adds a hearty touch, while the frozen veggies and eggs give texture and color. This combo brings out the best flavors, and soy sauce plus sesame oil gives that signature fried rice goodness. Keep an eye on your rice—it’s best if it’s been cooked and cooled, so the grains don’t clump.
- Cooked white rice: Day-old or leftover rice works best because it’s drier and fries up nicely without sticking.
- Leftover turkey: Chopped into bite-sized pieces; both white and dark meat are great here.
- Yellow onion: Adds sweetness and depth when sautéed until translucent.
- Garlic: Fresh and minced to boost flavor.
- Frozen vegetables: A mix like peas, carrots, and corn adds color and nutrition.
- Green onions: For freshness and a mild bite; split between cooking and garnish.
- Eggs: Scrambled right in the pan to add richness and protein.
- Butter: Brings a silky richness and helps keep rice from drying out.
- All purpose MSG seasoning or salt and pepper: Essential for that umami punch and seasoning balance.
- Sesame oil: Just a splash adds that irresistibly nutty aroma.
- Low sodium soy sauce: Controls salt levels and adds savory depth.
- Optional garnishes: Toasted sesame seeds, chili oil, or a pinch of MSG if you’re into that extra flavor kick.
Variations
You know how I love tweaking recipes to fit what’s in the fridge and my mood—this leftover turkey fried rice recipe is super flexible. Feel free to swap veggies, add some heat, or make it vegetarian-friendly by skipping the turkey and adding tofu or mushrooms instead.
- Vegetable Boost: I sometimes toss in chopped broccoli or diced bell peppers for extra crunch and color.
- Spicy Version: Adding a drizzle of chili oil or a dash of Sriracha turns this into my go-to spicy comfort food.
- Protein Swap: If you don’t have turkey, leftover chicken or even shrimp works wonderfully.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use tamari instead of soy sauce to keep it gluten-free without losing flavor.
How to Make Leftover Turkey Fried Rice Recipe
Step 1: Sauté Your Aromatics
Start by heating your large skillet over medium-high heat. If your pan isn’t nonstick, add a small splash of oil to prevent sticking. Toss in the diced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until it’s soft and translucent—this usually takes about 5-6 minutes. You want the onions to get fragrant and lightly golden because that sets the flavor base for your fried rice.
Step 2: Add Garlic and Veggies
Once your onions are soft, stir in the minced garlic. Cook it just for about a minute—too long and it can get bitter. Then add the frozen vegetables and toss everything together so the veggies thaw quickly and start to warm through. I like to push the veggies to the side of the pan after this to create space for the next part.
Step 3: Butter and Rice Magic
Add your butter to the open side of the pan and let it melt almost completely. Then add the cooked rice, spreading it out and pressing gently with the back of your spatula to break apart clumps and let those grains crisp up a bit in the hot pan. This is where the magic happens—I love how the rice gets that slightly toasted texture that makes fried rice irresistible.
Step 4: Season and Scramble Your Eggs
Drizzle the soy sauce and sesame oil over the rice, then stir well to coat everything evenly. Clear a small space in the middle of the pan and crack your eggs right there. Use your spatula to scramble them as they cook, then gently mix them into the rice once done. This gives your dish a wonderful creamy texture without overwhelming the rice.
Step 5: Bring in the Turkey and Finish
Finally, stir in your chopped leftover turkey and half of the sliced green onions. Keep stirring and cooking for a couple more minutes until the turkey is heated through. It’s easy to dry out turkey, so just cook until warmed, not over. Once you’re happy with the heat, remove from the stovetop and transfer to your serving dish. Sprinkle the rest of the green onions on top for that fresh pop of flavor.
Pro Tips for Making Leftover Turkey Fried Rice Recipe
- Use Day-Old Rice: Freshly cooked rice is too moist and clumps easily—day-old rice fries up perfectly with distinct grains.
- Don’t Overcook the Turkey: Leftover turkey dries out fast, so just warm it through at the end.
- Press the Rice in the Pan: Flattening the rice helps it get nicely toasted and prevents clumps.
- Adjust Soy Sauce Carefully: Start with less—you can always add more for saltiness once mixed.
How to Serve Leftover Turkey Fried Rice Recipe
Garnishes
I love sprinkling toasted sesame seeds on top—it adds a lovely crunch and nutty flavor. Sometimes I drizzle a little chili oil over mine for a subtle spicy kick. The fresh green onions left off in the cooking add that bright, crisp finish I look for.
Side Dishes
For a simple meal, I usually serve this fried rice with steamed or roasted greens like bok choy or broccoli. An easy cucumber salad on the side also balances the savory flavors beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
For family dinners or casual get-togethers, I sometimes pack the fried rice into ramekins or small bowls, then invert them onto plates so it forms a neat mound — kind of restaurant-style! Adding a fried egg on top makes it extra special and fun.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I put leftover turkey fried rice in airtight containers and store it in the fridge; it keeps well for up to 3 days. The key is to cool it down quickly before refrigerating to preserve freshness and texture.
Freezing
I’ve frozen portions in freezer-safe containers for up to a month. When you’re ready, thaw it overnight in the fridge, then reheat gently on the stove—it still tastes fantastic and is a real time-saver.
Reheating
Reheat your leftover turkey fried rice in a hot skillet over medium heat, stirring often and adding a splash of water or soy sauce if it seems dry. Avoid microwaving if possible, as that can make the rice a bit mushy.
FAQs
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Can I use brown rice instead of white rice for this leftover turkey fried rice recipe?
Absolutely! Brown rice works well too, just make sure it’s cooked and cooled properly beforehand. It might take a little longer to crisp up in the skillet, but you’ll get a heartier texture and a bit more fiber.
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What if I don’t have leftover turkey—can I use other meats?
Definitely! Leftover chicken, pork, or even shrimp make great substitutes. The recipe is flexible and focuses on making the most of whatever protein you have available.
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Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Yes! Because it stores and reheats well, this leftover turkey fried rice recipe is perfect for meal prep. Just portion it out into containers, and you’ve got several ready-to-go lunches or dinners.
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Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, by swapping the soy sauce for a gluten-free tamari or coconut aminos, you keep the recipe gluten-free without sacrificing that classic savory flavor.
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Should I use fresh or frozen vegetables?
Frozen veggies are super convenient and work perfectly here because they thaw quickly and mix well. Fresh vegetables are great too—just chop them small so they cook evenly.
Final Thoughts
When I first tried this leftover turkey fried rice recipe, I was blown away by how much it elevated simple leftovers to something really special. Now it’s on heavy rotation at my house, especially when hunting for a fuss-free dinner that doesn’t feel like a reheated mess. I hope you’ll enjoy it just as much as my family does—give it a shot and let that leftover turkey shine in a way you never expected!
Print
Leftover Turkey Fried Rice Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
A quick and delicious Leftover Turkey Fried Rice recipe that transforms your turkey leftovers into a flavorful, satisfying meal. Combining cooked rice, diced onion, garlic, frozen vegetables, green onions, scrambled eggs, and tender turkey, seasoned with soy sauce and sesame oil, this dish is perfect for an easy weeknight dinner or a creative way to reduce food waste.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4 cups cooked white rice
- 2 cups leftover turkey, chopped (white meat and/or dark meat)
- 1 small yellow onion, diced (about 1 1/4 cups)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 cups frozen vegetables (peas, carrots, and corn)
- 3 green onions, sliced
- 3 large eggs
- 2 tbsp butter (salted or unsalted)
- 2 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 1/2–2 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
Seasoning
- All Purpose MSG Seasoning or salt and pepper to taste
- Toasted sesame seeds (optional garnish)
- Chili oil (optional garnish)
- MSG (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Sauté Onions: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. If the skillet is not nonstick, add a small amount of cooking oil. Add diced onion and sauté for 5-6 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
- Add Garlic and Vegetables: Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for about one minute. Then, add frozen vegetables and stir until fully thawed. Push the vegetables to one side of the pan.
- Melt Butter & Add Rice: Add butter to the empty side of the skillet and let it melt mostly. Add the cooked rice, pressing it flat with the back of your spatula to break up clumps. Add soy sauce and sesame oil, stirring until rice is evenly coated and colored.
- Cook Eggs: Clear an open space in the middle of the pan and crack the eggs into it. Break yolks apart with spatula and scramble. Fold scrambled eggs into the rice mixture evenly.
- Add Turkey and Green Onions: Stir in leftover turkey and half of the green onions. Continue cooking and stirring frequently until the turkey is heated through, about 2-3 minutes.
- Serve and Garnish: Remove skillet from heat and transfer fried rice to a serving dish. Garnish with remaining green onions and optional toasted sesame seeds, chili oil, and MSG. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- Use leftover turkey that is properly cooked and refrigerated for safety.
- Frozen mixed vegetables can be substituted with fresh vegetables but adjust cooking time accordingly.
- Adjust soy sauce quantity to suit your preferred saltiness.
- Use low sodium soy sauce to keep sodium levels moderate.
- For a healthier option, consider using brown rice instead of white rice.
- Butter can be substituted with a neutral cooking oil if preferred.
- Optional garnishes like toasted sesame seeds and chili oil add a nice texture and heat.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 210mg
