A comfort classic, turkey a la king is a popular way to use up leftover holiday turkey!
Mushrooms, peas, and turkey are simmered in a rich and creamy white sauce and then served over your choice of puff pastry, egg noodles, rice, mashed potatoes, or even toast!
It is creamy and savory and is a perennial hit with families everywhere! The vintage recipe is making a comeback for good reason. It’s super easy and flavorful. My kids devoured it!
What is Turkey a la King?
Reportedly developed by Chef William “King” at the Bellevue Hotel in Philadelphia in the early 1900s, chicken a la king became a very popular dish. It’s a great way to use up leftover holiday turkey and veggies by incorporating them into a Bechamel sauce and serving over or under a puff pastry, rice, or egg noodles!
An Elegant, Yet Easy Dinner!
- Easy to make at home, this elegant one-skillet dish goes from the stovetop to the tabletop in minutes!
- Make and take turkey a la king to game day viewing parties and serve from a crockpot so everyone can help themselves! Don’t forget the Texas toast, dinner rolls, biscuits, or bread to soak up all that creamy sauce!
- Like turkey tetrazzini and turkey pot pie, turkey a la king is a healthy and hearty recipe that’s always in demand!
Ingredients and Variations
Turkey: Any part of leftover turkey can be used in turkey a la king. Chicken can be added or used instead. Check for small bones and remove them. No more leftover turkey? Use a ready-made or make-your-own rotisserie chicken or chicken breasts.
Sauce: The velvety cream sauce develops a deep, savory flavor when cooked with mushrooms and green peppers. Add some sour cream for a thicker, tangier sauce, if desired.
Vegetables: Mushrooms add a savory, lightly woodsy flavor and peas add a pop of sweetness and color. Bulk up your turkey a la king with any leftover vegetables, or to make it super easy, toss in a frozen bag of your favorite vegetable medley.
Variations: Enjoy turkey a la king as a rich and hearty soup by adding a can or two of condensed mushroom, celery, or chicken soup and veggies like carrots, potatoes, or chopped broccoli and cauliflower.
How to Make Turkey a la King
Turkey and veggies are simmered in a rich and creamy broth that’s poured over bread, potatoes, or rice!
- Saute garlic and butter over low heat. Add mushrooms and peppers and cook until tender, as described in the recipe card below.
- Whisk in flour, chicken broth, and Worcestershire sauce and cook until the sauce is thickened.
- Whisk eggs, half and half, sherry, and salt and pepper in a small bowl.
- Stir the egg mixture into the sauce.
- Add turkey, peas, and pimentos, and cook until the sauce is thickened.
Serve over puff pastry, rice, noodles, or as desired.
How to Serve Turkey a la King
Once the sauce is thickened, use a ladle to pour turkey a la king over puffed pastries, dinner rolls, cornbread, mashed potatoes, brown or white rice, or egg noodles. Add a tangy cucumber dill salad and dinner is served! Crostini is another way to serve the dish either for dinner, or appetizer style.
Puff pastry dough can be found in the freezer section at your local grocery, or you can find prebaked, ready to use, puff pastry shells, including at Amazon!
Storing Leftovers
- Keep leftover turkey a la king in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave. When reheating, add a little half and half to thin the sauce if you’d like.
- Freeze in portions for up to 4 weeks. Note: Dairy-based sauces don’t thaw well, but can be revived with vigorous mixing and additional half-and-half, cream, or milk.
More Creamy Dishes To Try!
Have you tried this Turkey a la King recipe? Leave a comment and rating below!
Turkey a la King
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 8 ounces mushrooms sliced
- 1 green pepper diced
- 2 Tablespoons flour
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce optional
- 2 egg yolks
- ½ cup half and half
- 1 Tablespoon cooking sherry
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
- 1 ½ – 2 cups cooked turkey chopped
- ⅓ cup frozen peas thawed
- ¼ cup pimentos chopped, drained
For Serving
- puffed pastries
- rice
- egg noodles
- potatoes
Instructions
- In a large skillet on medium-low heat, add butter and garlic. Cook for 3 minutes, until butter is melted and garlic is fragrant.
- Add mushrooms and green pepper and cook until tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in flour and slowly stir or whisk in chicken broth. Add Worcestershire sauce and cook 5-6 minutes, until slightly thickened.
- Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk egg yolks. Add half and half, sherry, salt, and pepper, and whisk to combine.
- Add egg mixture to the skillet and stir. Add turkey, peas, and pimento and stir to combine. Cook for 2-3 minutes, or until thickened. Season with salt and pepper as desired.
- Serve over puff pastries, rice, egg noodles, potatoes, toast, or even crostini.
Notes
- Nutrition calculated without serving suggestions such as pastries, rice, etc.
- Refrigerate leftovers in a covered container for up to 4 days.
- Reheat portions on the stovetop or in the microwave.
- Portions can be frozen in freezer safe containers for up to 4 weeks. Since this is a dairy based sauce, stir well when reheating and add a bit of milk.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information does not include optional ingredients or garnish and is an estimate. It may change based on actual ingredients and cooking methods used.
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A classy easy dish – perfect for using up my leftover Turkey.