Leftover Turkey Fried Rice

Why You’ll Love It

Great way to use leftovers: This recipe is perfect if you have leftover cooked turkey (and also a bonus if you have leftover cooked rice!)
Tastes really good: Soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, veggies, and more go into this turkey fried rice recipe, making it a really delicious dish.
A one-pot meal: All you need is a large frying pan, skillet or wok, so you will only have one pan to wash up after dinner.

Turkey Fried Rice Ingredients

A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.

Cooked rice: You need cooked rice that’s been chilled for at least 4 hours. Using freshly cooked rice means it will clump together and get mushy.
Leftover turkey: The star of the dish!
Seasonings: Garlic powder, white pepper, soy sauce, sesame oil, and sesame seeds add plenty of rich oriental flavors.
Frozen mixed vegetables: These add pops of color as well as flavor and nutrients.
Eggs: A key component in fried rice recipes.

How to Make Leftover Turkey Fried Rice

For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.

Cook the eggs: Scramble eggs in a little oil in a large, high-sided wok or skillet over a medium heat. Transfer them into a large bowl.
Cook the turkey: Add more oil and sauté cooked chopped or shredded turkey for a few minutes. Transfer it into the bowl with the scrambled eggs.
Cook the veggies: Cook the onions and then add the garlic. Add thawed frozen vegetables and stir fry for a few minutes.
Add the remaining ingredients: Add the cold cooked rice, eggs, turkey and green onions to the wok or skillet. Add soy sauce and sesame oil, along with white pepper and garlic powder. Cook for a few minutes and serve hot, garnished with sesame seeds and sliced green onion.

Substitutions and Variations

Gluten-free option: If you want a gluten-free version, ensure you’re using a wheat-free soy sauce.
Leftover turkey: Sub leftover chicken breast or thighs, cooked turkey tenderloins or shredded rotisserie chicken. You could even make ground turkey fried rice. If you want to make it a ground turkey recipe, cook the turkey first and add it back to the rice mixture at the end.
Vegetables: Use frozen peas and carrots only instead of frozen vegetables that have green beans and corn too. You could also use fresh vegetables like fresh carrots, broccoli, bell peppers and mushrooms. Snow peas and beansprouts are also really good. Dice your veggies into even-sized pieces and add then when you add the onions.
Olive oil: Use peanut oil, vegetable oil or avocado oil instead.
Leftover rice: Use leftover long grain white rice, jasmine rice or brown rice.
Low carb version: Sub cauliflower rice for the leftover rice.
Soy sauce: Sub tamari if preferred.
Sesame seeds: Substitute chopped peanuts.
Spice it up: Add red pepper flakes or a splash of your favorite hot sauce or chili garlic sauce.

Serving Suggestions

Appetizers: Begin your meal with Thanksgiving charcuterie board leftovers or turkey potstickers.
Side dishes: How does hibachi steak on the side sound, or perhaps you’d prefer one of these Panda Express copycat recipes?
Desserts: Finish up with Bisquick lemon blueberry cobbler.

How to Store Thanksgiving Fried Rice

Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and eat within 3 days.
Freeze: You can freeze leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Thaw: Defrost it in the refrigerator overnight.
Reheat: You can warm it back up in a pan on the stove or in the microwave.