Stir Fry Turkey Stew: Easy One-Pan Comfort Food!

Stir fry turkey stew is a dish born from a happy accident, a craving for something comforting yet quick on a busy weeknight. I'd been experimenting with using stir fry techniques to elevate traditional stews, and the results were surprisingly delicious. This stir fry turkey stew is now a regular in our family rotation. It’s a dish that reminds me of my grandmother’s resourceful cooking, taking simple ingredients and turning them into something extraordinary.

Why You Will Love This stir fry turkey stew Recipe

This stir fry turkey stew is pure comfort food, but without the hours of simmering usually required for a great stew. It's ready in under an hour, making it perfect for those busy weeknights when you crave a hearty, home cooked meal. The flavors are rich and satisfying plus its super easy to customize with your favorite vegetables. My husband says it tastes just like Thanksgiving every time I make it, and frankly, that's a compliment I'll gladly accept! It’s a surprisingly healthy and delicious way to use up leftover turkey, but works just as well with ground turkey, too. Try our Stir Fry Beef Stew for another hearty variation.

Ingredients Needed for This stir fry turkey stew Recipe

Here's what you'll need to create this flavorful and satisfying stir fry turkey stew:

• Turkey: 1 pound ground turkey, or leftover cooked turkey, cut into bite size pieces.
• Vegetable Oil: 2 tablespoons, for stir frying.
• Onion: 1 medium yellow onion, chopped.
• Garlic: 2 cloves, minced.
• Carrots: 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced.
• Celery: 2 stalks celery, diced.
• Potatoes: 2 medium Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cubed.
• Broth: 4 cups chicken or turkey broth.
• Tomato Paste: 2 tablespoons.
• Soy Sauce: 1 tablespoon.
• Worcestershire Sauce: 1 teaspoon.
• Dried Thyme: 1 teaspoon.
• Dried Rosemary: 1/2 teaspoon.
• Salt and Pepper: To taste.
• Frozen Peas: 1 cup.
• Cornstarch: 1 tablespoon, mixed with 2 tablespoons of cold water (optional, for thickening).
• Fresh Parsley: For garnish (optional).

How to Make This stir fry turkey stew Recipe

Follow these simple steps to create a delicious stir fry turkey stew:

1. Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium high heat. Add the ground turkey (or cooked turkey) and cook, stirring frequently, until browned. If using ground turkey, break it up with a spoon as it cooks. Remove the turkey from the pot and set aside.

2. Add the chopped onion, garlic, carrots, and celery to the pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.

3. Add the cubed potatoes to the pot and stir to combine with the vegetables. Cook for another 2-3 minutes.

4. Pour in the chicken or turkey broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Stir in the tomato paste, soy sauce, and Worcestershire sauce.

5. Add the dried thyme and rosemary. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

6. Return the cooked turkey to the pot. Bring the stew to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender. We suggest also checking out our Stir Fry Shrimp Stew for your future meals!

7. Stir in the frozen peas and cook for another 2-3 minutes, or until heated through.

8. If you want a thicker stew, slowly drizzle in the cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with cold water), stirring constantly, until the stew reaches your desired consistency.

9. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired. Serve hot and enjoy! You might also like our spin on an alternate recipe, stir fry tuna casserole.

How to Serve This stir fry turkey stew Recipe

Serve this hearty stir fry turkey stew hot, in bowls. It pairs perfectly with crusty bread for dipping into the flavorful broth. Top with a dollop of sour cream or plain Greek yogurt for extra creaminess. A sprinkle of fresh parsley or chives adds a pop of color and freshness. For a complete meal, serve it with a side salad or steamed green beans.

How to Store This stir fry turkey stew Recipe

Let the stir fry turkey stew cool completely before storing. Transfer the stew to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. You can also freeze the stew for longer storage. Transfer the cooled stew to freezer safe containers or zip top bags, removing as much air as possible. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. To reheat, thaw the stew in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. You may need to add a little extra broth if the stew has thickened too much.

Tips to Make This stir fry turkey stew Recipe

• Feel free to substitute other vegetables in this stir fry turkey stew according to your preferences. Mushrooms, bell peppers, zucchini, or green beans would all be delicious additions.
• For a spicier stew, add a pinch of red pepper flakes along with the thyme and rosemary.
• If you don't have Worcestershire sauce, you can substitute a little balsamic vinegar or soy sauce.

Helpful Notes for This stir fry turkey stew Recipe

Yukon gold potatoes are my favorite for this stir fry turkey stew because they hold their shape well and have a creamy texture. You can use other types of potatoes, but they may become softer during cooking. Be sure to use low sodium broth to control the sodium content of the stew. If you don't have fresh parsley, you can use dried parsley, but use about half the amount.

Variation of This stir fry turkey stew Recipe

• For a seasonal twist, add butternut squash or sweet potatoes in the fall for a richer, sweeter flavor.
• Make it a creamy stew by stirring in a splash of heavy cream or half and half at the end of cooking.
• Add a can of drained and rinsed cannellini beans or great northern beans for extra protein and fiber.

Frequently Asked Questions

Stir Fry Turkey Stew: Easy One-Pan Comfort Food!

A quick and easy stir fry turkey stew recipe perfect for busy weeknights! This comforting dish is ready in under an hour and packed with flavorful vegetables and tender turkey.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Yield: 6 servings
Category: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free

Nutrition:

Calories: 350
Protein: 30g
Carbs: 25g
Fat: 15g

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground turkey, or leftover cooked turkey, cut into bite size pieces
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 2 medium Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 4 cups chicken or turkey broth
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch, mixed with 2 tablespoons of cold water (optional, for thickening)
• Fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium high heat. Add the ground turkey (or cooked turkey) and cook, stirring frequently, until browned. If using ground turkey, break it up with a spoon as it cooks. Remove the turkey from the pot and set aside.
2. Add the chopped onion, garlic, carrots, and celery to the pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
3. Add the cubed potatoes to the pot and stir to combine with the vegetables. Cook for another 2-3 minutes.
4. Pour in the chicken or turkey broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Stir in the tomato paste, soy sauce, and Worcestershire sauce.
5. Add the dried thyme and rosemary. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Return the cooked turkey to the pot. Bring the stew to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.
7. Stir in the frozen peas and cook for another 2-3 minutes, or until heated through.
8. If you want a thicker stew, slowly drizzle in the cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with cold water), stirring constantly, until the stew reaches your desired consistency.
9. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired. Serve hot.

Notes

• For a richer flavor, use turkey broth instead of chicken broth. You can also customize the vegetables to your liking. Mushrooms, bell peppers, and green beans would all be great additions.