Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Congee (Printable)

Savory rice porridge transforming holiday leftovers into a creamy, comforting bowl with aromatic ginger and garlic.

# What You'll Need:

→ 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

# How-To Steps:

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 Suggestions:

01 -
  • It turns leftover turkey into something that feels completely new and exciting
  • The creamy texture is incredibly soothing without any dairy whatsoever
  • You can customize the toppings to match whatever mood youre in
02 -
  • The congee will continue thickening as it sits, so err on the thinner side initially
  • Using a whisk in the last 10 minutes creates an incredibly smooth restaurant-style texture
  • Fresh ginger is absolutely worth it here, powder just wont give the same bright notes
03 -
  • Freeze extra broth in 2-cup portions for quick congee anytime
  • The ratio of rice to liquid is forgiving, adjust to your preferred thickness

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