Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Congee (Printable version)

Creamy rice porridge transforming holiday turkey leftovers into a comforting, nourishing meal with aromatic Asian flavors.

# List of ingredients:

→ Turkey and Broth

01 - 2 cups cooked turkey meat, shredded or diced
02 - 8 cups turkey or chicken broth (preferably homemade from turkey carcass)

→ Rice

03 - 1 cup uncooked jasmine or long-grain white rice (rinsed)

→ Aromatics

04 - 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, sliced
05 - 2 cloves garlic, smashed
06 - 2 scallions, sliced (white and green parts separated)

→ Seasonings

07 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce
08 - 1 teaspoon sesame oil
09 - 1/2 teaspoon salt (plus more to taste)
10 - 1/4 teaspoon white pepper

→ Toppings

11 - Chopped scallions (green parts)
12 - Fresh cilantro leaves
13 - Crispy shallots or fried garlic
14 - Chili oil or sriracha
15 - Sliced boiled egg

# Directions:

01 - In a large pot, combine the broth, rice, ginger, garlic, and the white parts of the scallions. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
02 - Reduce heat to low, partially cover, and simmer for 45–55 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the rice has broken down and the mixture is creamy. Add more broth or water if needed to reach your desired consistency.
03 - Stir in the turkey meat and cook for an additional 5–10 minutes until heated through.
04 - Season with soy sauce, sesame oil, salt, and white pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
05 - Ladle the congee into bowls. Top with green scallion parts, cilantro, crispy shallots, chili oil, or a boiled egg as desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It turns that overwhelming mountain of leftover turkey into something that feels like a warm hug
  • The creamy porridge texture is incredibly soothing, especially when youre tired from holiday hosting
  • You can customize the toppings endlessly, making it different every time
02 -
  • If the congee gets too thick, just add more broth or water, it will thicken as it cools
  • Stir more frequently toward the end, the rice can stick and burn when it breaks down
  • Brown rice needs more liquid and time, plan for another 20 to 30 minutes
03 -
  • Make a double batch and freeze individual portions for quick lunches
  • Use a whisk in the last 10 minutes to break up any remaining rice chunks
  • Leftover congee thickens significantly, thin with water when reheating

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