Though the Thanksgiving turkey dinner is an excitingly delicious celebration, we get even more excited over all the creative ways we can use the holiday leftovers. This recipe for leftover turkey chili smothered sweet potatoes, inspired by Budget Bytes, will have you waiting impatiently for the table to be cleared. Leftover turkey may be great for simple turkey sandwiches, but why not transform it into a satisfying meat-and-potatoes kind of meal? With just a few ingredients from your pantry, you can make a tasty black bean and turkey chili that begs to be served in a hot and steamy sweet potato. Top with shredded cheddar and a fresh garnish of cilantro or green onion, and you’ve got one unbeatable comfort food dish. Make-ahead amazing. Not in the mood for a hearty meal so soon after the big Thanksgiving dinner? No problem! Simply make the leftover turkey chili and freeze it until you’re ready to dig in. Thaw the chili in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat it on the stove while your sweet potatoes are nearing the end of their roasting time. Follow the rest of the recipe and get your leftover turkey chili smothered sweet potatoes to the table.
Roast the sweet potatoes
Rub the sweet potatoes with olive oil and place the them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Prick the potatoes a few times with a fork and roast at 400 F for 30 minutes. Turn the potatoes and continue to roast for 1 hour or until soft.
Saute onion and garlic
Time to make the chili. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the onions and garlic. Cook, stirring often, for 3 to 4 minutes or until the onions are soft and translucent. Stir in the leftover turkey.
Add additional turkey chili ingredients
Stir black beans, tomato sauce, tomato paste, chili powder, oregano, cumin, and water into the turkey mixture.
Cook the leftover turkey chili
Bring the chili to a simmer and reduce the heat to medium-low. Simmer the chili for 15 minutes to mouthwateringly meld the flavors.
Smother the sweet potatoes with turkey chili and cheese
Slice each sweet potato lengthwise to open but don’t cut through all the way. Use a fork to lightly mash the insides. Scoop 3/4-cup of the turkey chili into each potato and top with 2 tablespoons of shredded cheddar cheese.
Melt the cheese
Place the chili-topped sweet potatoes in the oven for a few minutes to melt the cheese.
Garnish and serve
Sprinkle chopped fresh cilantro or green onion on top of each sweet potato and serve hot.
Such a creative use of leftovers
Savory and delicious!
Dig in!
Yield 4 servings Courses Main dish
2 tablespoons olive oil4 sweet potatoes (8 to 12 ounces each)
Turkey chili:
1 tablespoon olive oil1 yellow onion, diced2 cloves garlic, minced1-1/2 cups leftover turkey, shredded or chopped1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed, drained1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce1 tablespoon tomato paste1 tablespoon chili powder1/2 teaspoon dried oregano1/2 teaspoon ground cumin1/2 cup watersalt to taste
Topping:
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheesechopped fresh cilantro or green onions for garnish
