Cover Turkey mac and cheese, created by chef-owner Petrina Loh of Morsels (Photo: Morsels)

Have too much turkey on your hands after your Christmas feasting? Here are some delicious leftover turkey recipes from Singapore’s top chefs that makes use of leftover turkey

You’ve had a good time with your friends and family this Christmas season, and now you have a gigantic mound of half-eaten turkey left on your hands. What do you do with this hunk of game that could feed several families over? Fret not—we asked some of Singapore’s top chefs what they do with their leftover turkey, turning them from normal pieces of meat to stunning dishes in their own right. From turkey mac and cheese to cold sesame noodles, here are some ideas to turn your leftovers into magic.

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1. Cold sesame noodles with turkey

Tatler Asia
Above Cold sesame noodles with turkey by Michael Wilson, chef-owner of Marguerite

Michael Wilson, executive chef, Marguerite

“I discovered this delicious dish on a scorching summer’s day in Shanghai, at a tucked-away eatery far away from my usual stomping ground. I was so impressed by it that I persuaded the chefs at the Puli Hotel (where I worked) to add it to our breakfast menu. I love this recipe for its adaptability—swap ingredients based on what you have in your fridge. Whether it's leftover turkey, prawns or poached chicken, the dish accommodates for variations. Substitute peanut butter for the sesame paste if that’s your thing. Adjust your noodle cooking time but my preference is a chewier noodle for added texture. I use a house-made chilli oil but a store-bought Lao Gan Ma works too. This dish is meant to be easy after days of kitchen toil. If you’re anticipating a major hangover the next day, prep all the ingredients ahead and keep them in the fridge. Then, simply mix and enjoy.”

INGREDIENTS

Dressing

  • 30g minced garlic
  • 20g minced ginger
  • 100g water
  • 200g Chinese sesame paste or tahini
  • 20g Zhejiang vinegar/Chinese black vinegar
  • 70g light soya sauce
  • 20g sugar
  • 40g Sichuan chilli crisp
  • 5g sesame oil
  • Pinch of white pepper powder

Components

  • 350g grated cucumber
  • 600g ban mian noodles
  • 100g fried peanuts
  • 30g picked coriander leaves
  • 70g sliced green onions
  • 30g chilli oil (store-bought or homemade; homemade recipe below)
  • 200g cooked and shredded turkey breast

Homemade chilli oil (optional)

  1. 20g chilli flakes 
  2. 10g Sichuan peppercorns, whole 
  3. 5g white peppercorns, whole 
  4. 3g star anise, whole
  5. 4g cinnamon, whole 
  6. 125 g neutral oil (e.g. sunflower, rapeseed, corn oil) 

Heat oil to 140 degrees Celsius and pour over spices. Leave to cool and strain. 

METHOD

  1. Boil the noodles in water for 3 minutes and refresh in cold water. When cool, strain off the water well and place in a mixing bowl.
  2. Mix noodles with 80% of the peanuts, shredded turkey, cucumber, green onions and coriander.
  3. Mix all the ingredients for the dressing. Mix the dressing with the noodles to your taste.
  4. Plate noodles in a large bowl and garnish with the remaining 20 per cent of peanuts, turkey, cucumber, coriander and green onions.
  5. Drizzle with as much or as little chilli oil as you like.

2. Turkey mac and cheese

Tatler Asia
Above Turkey mac and cheese, created by chef-owner Petrina Loh of Morsels (Photo: Morsels)

Petrina Loh, chef-owner, Morsels

INGREDIENTS

Stock

  • Bones and trimmings from turkey
  • 2 litres of water 
  • 1 brown onion 
  • 1/2 carrot 

Béchamel and macaroni

  • 60g butter
  • 60g all-purpose flour
  • 250g stock
  • Grated Parmesan, Gruyère, or any cheese you like
  • Salt and pepper
  • 60g of macaroni

METHOD

  1. Separate the turkey meat from the skin. Boil all ingredients and reduce to 1 litre of stock; strain.
  2. To make the béchamel, whisk butter and flour over low heat for 2–3 minutes. Gradually pour in the stock, whisking continuously. Add in turkey trimmings.
  3. Add grated Gruyère, Parmesan or any cheese you like, and stir. Season as needed with salt and pepper.
  4. Boil the macaroni with salted water for 4 minutes; drain. Pour the turkey béchamel over. 

Read more: The easiest Christmas cocktails to make at home, according to local bartenders

3. Turkey dumplings

Tatler Asia
Above Dumplings (Photo: Charles de Luvio on Unsplash)

Ashlee Malligan, head chef, Nouri and Appetite

“At the Malligans, we wholeheartedly embrace Christmas feasting, beginning our planning as early as October. We prepare an elaborate feast for family and friends, transforming each Christmas into a heartwarming celebration filled with great company and delicious food.

These turkey dumplings are a quick and delicious way to reinvent holiday leftovers, delivering a burst of flavour in every bite.”

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 cups of leftover turkey, finely shredded
  • Sliced spring onions
  • 1 raw egg
  • 1 tsp soy sauce
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 heaped tbsp of your favourite Sichuan chilli paste
  • Dumpling wrappers

METHOD

  1. In a bowl, finely shred turkey meat and combine it with sliced spring onions, a raw egg, soy sauce, sesame oil, and Sichuan chilli paste.
  2. Spoon the turkey mixture onto square dumpling wrappers, fold, and seal the edges with water, bringing the four corners together to form a square parcel.
  3. Steam or pan-fry until golden and cooked through. Serve with a yoghurt sauce seasoned with salt, a generous drizzle of olive oil, and a sprinkle of sumac.

4. Bollito

Daniele Sperindio, chef-owner, Art di Daniele Sperindio

“More often than not, I use leftover turkey as a bollito (an Italian meat stew often served with sauces like salsa verde). Back in Italy, we often serve bollito cold and it features a variety of meats, such as veal tongue or assorted boiled cuts of an animal. I’ve embraced the versatility of turkey as an alternative. 

Firstly, to make a proper use of leftover turkey, it needs to be cooked well and moist in the first place. I will then prepare a salsa verde—blending a light flavored olive oil, Italian parsley, coriander, mint and garlic. I will then soak some old bread in white wine vinegar and blend it with the salsa verde mix. As an option, a boiled egg yolk can also be dropped in. Once everything is blended, the salsa verde comes out very fragrant and acidic. We will use this to spread it on top of the leftover turkey. This should be accompanied with a piece of toasted bread to cut through the acidity, a couple of salted anchovies and perhaps some capers. 

I like preparing my leftover turkey this way because not only is it moreish and delicious, but it also minimises food waste by allowing the incorporation of other leftovers like stale bread.”

Topics

Ethan Kan
Dining writer, Tatler Singapore
Tatler Asia

Ethan Kan was Tatler Singapore’s dining writer.