I’m honestly reluctant to call this a leftover turkey recipe because, really, this recipe is worth setting aside cooked turkey to make. So if you’re wondering what to do with leftover turkey or even leftover cooked chicken, this recipe will absolutely blow you away.
The Best Way to Use Leftover Turkey:
Now I hope you made one of my whole turkey recipes – Masala Turkey or Tandoori Turkey. But if not, no worries, this biryani recipe will work perfectly with any cooked turkey. This turkey biryani has everything you’d expect to find in regular biryani: whole spices, ground spices, caramelized onions, ginger, and garlic. My recipe also calls for several toppings. Because this is a “leftover recipe,” I think fresh herbs are essential here. Use plenty of fresh cilantro and mint to make this biryani feel bright and new. And for a final festive touch, top the biryani with chewy red cranberries and crunchy green pumpkin seeds. These red and green toppings are a bit of a change from the usual ghee-coated cashews and raisins, though if that’s what you’ve got, you can’t go wrong, so go ahead and use them. I bet golden raisins or green pistachios would look and taste great too.
Turkey Biryani Ingredients:
Cooked Turkey (or Chicken): remove the skin, and if possible, use dark meat to avoid over cooking any meat. I’ve also tried this with a combination of dark and white meat and it turns out great.Basmati RiceOilOnionGarlic GingerWhole Spices: cardamom pods, cloves, bay leaf, cinnamon stick, cumin seeds, fennel seedsGround Spices: coriander, paprika, salt, garam masala, cayenne, turmericGarnish: dried cranberries or golden raisins, pumpkin seeds or pistachios, cilantro, mint
How to Make Turkey Biryani
Cook the whole spices in some oil, stir, then add the onions and cook until golden/caramelized. Add the ginger, garlic, stir, then add the cooked turkey and ground spices and mix well. Add water and rice and mix, then cook. When it’s done, sprinkle with garnishes like cilantro and mint as well as dried cranberries and pumpkin seeds for a festive touch.
What to Serve with Turkey Biryani
To round out this festive (leftover) meal, serve this biryani with my bright reddish-pink Beet Raita and my sweet, spicy, and tangy Cranberry Chutney. Like this recipe? Pin it to your favorite Pinterest board now so you will remember to make it later!
