One Pan Leftover Turkey Fried Rice (With Wild Rice)
One pan leftover turkey fried rice is a great way to use up leftover Thanksgiving turkey or chicken without the hassle. Best of all, this easy healthy recipe cooks in less than 30 minutes.
One of the best parts of Thanksgiving is all the leftovers. That is until of course you get sick of eating them. However, I’ll argue that the problem is not the leftovers themselves, but people not knowing how to reimagine those leftovers.
For example, leftover rice and delicious leftover turkey transforms into a one-pan recipe for the whole family. Here’s why you should make this delicious meal.
Reasons You Should Make One Pan Leftover Turkey Fried Rice With Wild Rice
Most people like a good one pan meal. Me too! I’m right there with you.
Granted if that one pan meal is just as delicious as it is nutritious, that’s even better. Here’s why you should make this turkey fried rice recipe.
One Pan Meal – A large skillet is what you need to make this meal come together. That makes clean up pretty simple.
Healthy Meal – This meal contains a nice balance of protein, healthy carbs and the right type of fats. Additionally, I’m using wild rice which has a higher nutritional content than traditional white rice or even brown rice.
Quick Meal – If you want to be in and out of the kitchen in a short amount of the time, this is the part where you’d sign up. Since this recipe started out with leftover rice and leftover turkey, you’re already half way there. Cooking time takes less than 30 minute
Easy Way To Use Up Leftovers – This recipe is a the perfect way to use up leftovers and it’s very easy to adapt the recipe to what you have on hand. For example, you can also make this recipe using lean ground turkey, turkey sausage, ground chicken, leftover chicken or ground beef for a slightly different twist.
What Actually Is Wild Rice
Unlike traditional rice, true wild rice is a grass and not a grain that is mostly grown in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Canada and to a smaller degree other regions. When wild harvested, wild rice grows in shallow lakes, rivers and wetlands. Unlike white rice, true wild rice needs cool temperatures to grow and thrive. Wild rice is an ancient food.
This food has provided nutrition for ancient populations for thousands of years. Wild rice is still considered a staple food for many Native American tribes today.
Wild rice can appear from light brown to black in color. Some varieties of wild rice can even appear golden when cooked. Wild rice can be substituted in any of your traditional recipes where rice is used. You can also use wild rice as a cereal, in stuffing and more.
Tools You’ll Need
large wok or cast iron sauté pan – to accommodate all the deliciousness that will be happening in the kitchen.
cutting board – to cut veggies
Ingredients in One Pan Turkey Fried Rice
whole eggs – Use the whole thing. Egg white and egg yolks.
leftover roast turkey (Can also use turkey breast or leftover chicken)
broccoli florets – Get fresh if you can
frozen vegetables: A mix of green beans and green peas. I recommend getting these frozen as they’re hard to get fresh this time of year (fall/winter))
diced onion – Yellow onion will do.
garlic – Add that extra depth of flavor
carrot (diced) – Adds some natural sweetness
tamari: Use tamari for a gluten free option or traditionally fermented soy sauce from non-GMO soy beans.
ghee: When you’re eating for wellness, I don’t recommend olive oil to cook with as high temperatures denatures the oil and removes some of the healthy attributes.
salt – Never miss an opportunity to add good nutrition. This salt is harvested from a non polluted source and is as pure as it gets.
pepper – helot to give the turkey fried rice a little something extra.
Optional Toppings to Serve
green onions – Brightens up the dish
chili flakes – Adds some spice
sesame seeds – Leans into more Asian flavors
chive oil – Not a typical addition, but definitely worth a try. A light drizzle is all you need. Here’s my easy recipe for chive oil.
pomegranate seeds – Sometimes leftover recipes can be kind of “blah”. But, if you really want to take this recipe over the top and keep things festive, try scattering some fresh pomegranate seeds over the top. Not only is it very pretty, but it also adds a fresh, bright flavor.
Directions
Step 1: Heat ghee in a pan on medium heat.
Step 2: Once it starts to melt, sauté turkey, peas, broccoli, carrot, onion, garlic and green beans that have been cut into 1-inch pieces.
Step 3: After 3 minutes, pour in tamari (or soy sauce), and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
Step 4: Add cooked wild rice and stir gently. Continue cooking.
Step 5: Make a well in the center of the pan and pour in the beaten eggs, with a little salt and pepper.
Step 6: Wait a couple of minutes and stir gently until the fried rice is thoroughly mixed with the vegetables and eggs.
Step 7: Serve the fried rice with sesame seeds, green onions, chili flakes or drizzle with some chive oil.
How to Store Leftover Turkey Fried Rice
Refrigerator: After cooling, store any leftover turkey fried rice in a covered glass container for up to 3-4 days.
Freezer: Cool completely. Store in a freezer safe container for up to 1-2 months.
To Reheat: Add turkey fried rice to a skillet with a little bit of water or chicken broth to prevent it from drying out when reheating.
Additional Notes
If you’re gluten free, note that this recipe is a healthy gluten free leftover turkey recipe as long as you use the tamari instead of soy sauce.
This recipe was written for turkey, but you can also use ground turkey, ground beef, turkey sausage or even chicken.
One Pan Leftover Turkey Fried Rice
One pan leftover turkey fried rice is a great way to use up leftover Thanksgiving turkey without the hassle. Best of all, this easy healthy recipe cooks in less than 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- 2 eggs (beaten)
- 2 cups leftover roast turkey (diced)
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 1 cup frozen green green beans
- 1 onion (chopped)
- 1 clove of garlic (minced)
- 3 cups cooked wild rice
- 2 tbsp tamari or soy sauce
- 1 tbsp ghee
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Heat ghee in a sauté pan on medium heat and begin cooking the turkey, peas, broccoli, carrot, onion, garlic and green beans cut in 1-inch pieces
- After 3 minutes, pour in tamari and cook for another 3 minutes.
- Add wild rice, and stir gently. Continue cooking.
- Make a well int he middle of the pan and pour in the eggs, salt and pepper.
- Wait for a couple of minutes and then begin to stir gently until the fried rice is evenly mixed with vegetables and the egg.
- Seve the fired rice with sesame seeds, green onions, chili flakes or drizzle with chive oil.
Notes
Feel free to use tamari or a traditionally fermented soy sauce according to your preference.
This recipe can be make with leftover turkey or chicken.
Nutrition Information
Yield
5Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 286Total Fat 9gSaturated Fat 3gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 5gCholesterol 140mgSodium 911mgCarbohydrates 28gFiber 4gSugar 3gProtein 24g
Nutrition information isn't always accurate.
