Turkey

Happy Thanksgiving!!!  Tomorrow after the plates are cleared, the games are over and all of your family have left, you may find yourself left with a fridge full of leftover turkey.  Luckily, turkey is pretty good for you!  It is packed with many nutrients like selenium, niacin, vitamin B6 and the amino acid tryptophan.  It’s also a good source of zinc and vitamin B12.  Turkey is an excellent high-protein, low-fat food that can aid in cancer prevention, enhance your mood, boost your immune system and promote good sleep! 

 

You may wonder what to do with all of your leftover turkey.  A lot of people will have days filled with turkey sandwiches.  But there are TONS of healthy options for your turkey! First, chop, dice or shred your leftovers and store them in resealable plastic bags in the refrigerator. That way, you can reach for a bag or two as you need them. Then you’ll be ready to try different recipes.  Turkey can be used to make soups, salads, sandwiches, wraps, pizza, quesadillas, burritos, enchiladas, fajitas, tacos, pot pies, casseroles, skillet meals and pasta dishes.  Man oh man!!!  Who’s hungry?!!  Here are some healthy recipes that can be used for your turkey leftovers!

 

Turkey Taco Salad

 

Make this favorite more healthful by topping whole grain chips with lettuce, corn, lean turkey, salsa, and reduced-fat cheese.

·         1 ounce small round tortilla chips (about 24 chips) (such as Tostitos Bite Size Naturally Made with Whole Grains)

·         2 cups torn romaine lettuce

·         1/4 cup frozen corn, thawed

·         3 ounces shredded cooked turkey or chicken breast meat

·         2 tablespoons low-sodium salsa (such as Newman's Own)

·         3 tablespoons shredded reduced-fat Mexican-style cheese blend (such as Sargento)

 

1. Place chips on a plate. Top with lettuce, corn, turkey, salsa, and cheese.

 

TIP: Use frozen corn so you can thaw only what you need and save on sodium, too.

 

PER SERVING: 379 cal., 12 g total fat (3 g sat. fat), 86 mg chol., 379 mg sodium, 32 g carb. (5 g fiber, 3 g sugars), 35 g pro.
Turkey Taco Salad

 

Chilled Rotini Salad

 

Toss together a one-dish meal of whole grain pasta, chopped tomato, sweet pepper, cubed turkey, light vinaigrette, and Parmesan cheese.

·         2-1/3 cups cooked and cooled whole grain rotini pasta (4 ounces dried)

·         12 ounces cubed cooked turkey or chicken breast meat

·         1 cup chopped tomato

·         1 cup chopped green sweet pepper

·         1/2 cup light olive oil vinaigrette

·         4 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese

 

1. In a large bowl toss together cooled pasta, turkey, tomato, sweet pepper, and vinaigrette.
2. Divide salad among serving bowls. Top with Parmesan cheese.

 

PER SERVING: 312 cal., 8 g total fat (2 g sat. fat), 74 mg chol., 372 mg sodium, 27 g carb. (4 g fiber, 5 g sugars), 31g pro.

Chilled Rotini Salad

 

Quick Chili Bowl

 

Stir up a delicious chili in no time by combining leftover turkey, cans of low-sodium kidney beans and diced tomatoes, chopped onion and sweet pepper, and spicy seasonings.

·         2 14.5-ounce cans no-salt-added diced tomatoes, undrained

·         1 can reduced-sodium dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsed (such as Bush's)

·         8 ounces chopped cooked turkey or chicken breast meat

·         1/2 cup chopped green sweet pepper

·         1/2 cup chopped red onion

·         1 tablespoon chili powder

·         1-1/2 teaspoons ground cumin

·         1/2 teaspoon salt

·         1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1. In a large pot combine tomatoes, beans, turkey, green pepper, onion, chili powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper.
2. Bring chili to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to a simmer; cook 20 to 30 minutes.

 

PER SERVING: 240 cal., 0.5 g total fat (0 g sat. fat), 47 mg chol., 335 mg sodium, 34 g carb. (11 g fiber, 9 g sugars), 25 g pro.

Quick Chili Bowl

 

Turkey Tacos

 

Shred leftover turkey into small pieces and then toss in a bottled red enchilada sauce. Warm and serve on whole wheat tortillas, topping them with shredded lettuce and leftover cranberry sauce.

 

I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe holiday!