Use up that leftover turkey with this spicy-as-you-like Turkey Tikka Masala!
One for your back pocket, for when the Christmas day madness is over - this Turkey Tikka Masala makes a great Boxing day dinner.
Those shreds of leftover turkey a coated in a thick tikka sauce, then griddled or grilled to give that plain turkey a charred, spicy flavour.
Cooked up in a creamy, spiced masala sauce, it's an indulgent dinner. Great for curling up on the sofa with, to watch those boxing day movies.
I'm going to make this post ultra quick today guys as I know it's a busy day.
We've still got loads of tidying and wrapping to do. Plus the kids are decorating the Christmas cake later (I'll try to instagram story it).
So I'll leave you with the recipe, plus a link to 11 other recipes you can make with turkey leftovers.
Happy Christmas everyone, I hope you and your family have a truly wonderful, peaceful and joyful holiday xxx
The Recipe:
Leftover Turkey Tikka Masala
Ingredients
Turkey Tikka:
- leftover turkey - as much as you have! - but ideally enough for 4 people, sliced
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 120 ml (Ā½ cup + 1 tsp) Greek yogurt - or thick natural yogurt (full-fat)
- 2 cloves garlic - peeled and minced
- 1 tsp minced ginger
- juice of half a lemon
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- Ā½ tsp turmeric
- Ā½ tsp cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- Ā½ tsp mild chilli powder - this is more for flavour and doesn't add any heat. Add in hot chilli powder and/or more chilli powder if you like it hotter
- pinch of cinnamon
- Ā½ tsp salt
- Ā½ tsp black pepper
Sauce:
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 onion - finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic - peeled and minced
- 2 tsp minced ginger
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 2 tsp ground coriander
- 2 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp cumin
- Ā½ tsp cinnamon
- 2 tbsp tomato puree - paste
- 1 red bell pepper - de-seeded and sliced
- 400 g (14 oz) tin chopped tomatoes
- 120 ml (Ā½ cup) water
- 180 ml (Ā¾ cup) double/heavy cream
- 3 tbsp ground almonds
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
To Serve:
- small bunch fresh coriander/cilantro - roughly chopped
- boiled rice
INSTRUCTIONS
- First, make the turkey tikka. Mix together all the tikka ingredients, except for the turkey and the oil, until combined. Add in the turkey, and gently stir to coat. Put to one side.120 ml (Ā½ cup + 1 tsp) Greek yogurt, 2 cloves garlic, 1 tsp minced ginger, juice of half a lemon, 1 tsp ground coriander, Ā½ tsp turmeric, Ā½ tsp cumin, 1 tsp paprika, Ā½ tsp mild chilli powder, pinch of cinnamon, Ā½ tsp salt, Ā½ tsp black pepper, leftover turkey
- Now make the sauce. Add the oil and butter to a large frying pan (skillet) and heat on a medium-high heat until the butter has melted. Add the onion, and cook for 4-5 minutes until softened.1 tbsp vegetable oil, 1 tbsp unsalted butter, 1 onion
- Add the garlic, ginger, garam masala, ground coriander, paprika, cumin, cinnamon and tomato puree. Stir and cook for 2-3 minutes to allow the spices to release their fragrance.3 cloves garlic, 2 tsp minced ginger, 1 tsp garam masala, 2 tsp ground coriander, 2 tsp paprika, 1 tsp cumin, Ā½ tsp cinnamon, 2 tbsp tomato puree
- Add in the chopped red bell pepper, tinned tomatoes, and water. Stir and bring to the boil, then simmer for 15-20 minutes until thickened.1 red bell pepper, 400 g (14 oz) tin chopped tomatoes, 120 ml (Ā½ cup) water
- Meanwhile, preheat a griddle plate (or the grill/broiler) until hot. Brush the griddle with a little of the oil, then place the turkey pieces on the griddle. Brush with the turkey with the remaining oil. Cook on the griddle (or under the grill), turning once until browned and lightly charred. Turn off the heat and place the turkey in a bowl.2 tbsp vegetable oil
- When the sauce is nearly ready, stir in the cream, ground almonds, and sugar, followed by the charred turkey. Cook for a further 5 minutes to heat through.180 ml (Ā¾ cup) double/heavy cream, 3 tbsp ground almonds, 1 tbsp brown sugar
- Sprinkle the turkey tikka masala with chopped coriander and serve with boiled rice.small bunch fresh coriander/cilantro, boiled rice
ā Notes
Nutrition
Belinda Fleming says
Hi, can the double cream be substituted in any way? Perhaps Creme Fraiche? Thanks
Catherine Avis says
Absolutely delicious & so easy to make.
gary reynolds says
Absolutely delicious.
Matthew Walters says
Best curry Iāve made in a long while. Only change I made was to add one more tin of chopped tomatoes. Amazing curry, will definitely make again.
Cheryl Fisher says
Morning! This looks delicious and canāt wait to do it later today. If there is any left, can it be frozen please or would it āseparateā on reheating after being frozen? Thanks Cheryl
Chris Corbishley says
Hi Cheryl,
As this is is made with leftover meat i wouldn't recommend freezing and reheating.
Thanks
Chris & Nicky
Jo says
Very nice but took much longer than 50 minutes.
Chris Corbishley says
Hi Jo,
Was there any part in particular that took you a long time? Was it preparing or the cooking process?
Thanks
Chris & Nicky
Rosie Hughes says
So should the turkey already be cooked before using this recipe? And then just chargrilled during cooking? Or can raw turkey be used and it cooks during the grilling process?
Chris Corbishley says
Hi Rosie,
This recipe and instructions is for using up left over cooked turkey.
Thanks
Chris
Toni says
When do you add the tikka sauce that you "put aside" at beginning of recipe?
Nicky Corbishley says
Hi Toni, the tikka sauce is the marinade for the cooked leftover turkey. When you grill/griddle the turkey, it should be covered in the sauce. You can discard any that's left in the bowl.
KC says
I have some leftover turkey in the freezer from Easter, making this weekend, it looks delicious.