Creamy turkey and cauliflower skillet turns leftover turkey into a low-carb one-pan meal in about 15 minutes. Rice-sized cauliflower stands in for a hearty hash, and a heavy cream sauce with thyme ties it all together. Comforting enough for a cold morning, quick enough for any weekday.
Wondering what to do with that leftover holiday turkey? Look no further! This Creamy Turkey and Cauliflower Skillet transforms leftovers into a gourmet, low-carb meal that’s both comforting and incredibly quick to whip up. The cauliflower mimics a hearty hash, while the creamy sauce brings everything together for a dish that feels indulgent but fits perfectly into a healthy lifestyle. It’s a one-pan wonder that will become your new favorite way to enjoy turkey!
Ingredients
• ½ teaspoon / 1g (0.04 oz) dried thyme, crushed
• ½ small onion, chopped, approx. ¼ cup / 40g (1.41 oz)
• 1 tablespoon / 14g (0.49 oz) butter
• ½ cup / 50g (1.76 oz) cauliflower florets, boiled
• ¼ cup / 60ml (2 fl oz) heavy cream
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• ½ pound / 227g (8 oz) cooked turkey meat, chopped
Instructions
1. Directions
2. Take your pre-boiled cauliflower florets and finely chop them into small, rice-sized pieces. Set aside.
3. In a medium skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until it becomes soft and fragrant.
4. Stir in the finely chopped cauliflower and the crushed dried thyme. Continue to cook for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
5. Add the chopped cooked turkey to the skillet. Stir and cook for 3-5 minutes, or until the turkey is completely heated through.
6. Reduce the heat to low and pour in the heavy cream. Stir constantly until the sauce thickens slightly and coats all the . Season generously with salt and black pepper to your liking.
7. Serve hot, straight from the skillet.
Nutritional Information
• Nutrition
• Calories: 309 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 3.6g
• Protein: 34.3g
• Fat: 17.1g
Pro Tips
• For an extra rich and cheesy dish, stir in ¼ cup of grated Parmesan or shredded cheddar cheese along with the heavy cream until melted.
• Swap the dried thyme for 1 ½ teaspoons of fresh thyme for a brighter, more aromatic flavor. Fresh parsley or chives also make a great garnish.
• Feel free to add other low-carb vegetables like chopped mushrooms or bell peppers. Sauté them with the onion until tender.
FAQ
Q: Is this leftover turkey recipe keto-friendly
A: Yes, this Creamy Turkey and Cauliflower Skillet is designed to be a low-carb meal. With only 3.6g (0.13 oz) of carbohydrates per serving, it’s an excellent option for those following a keto or low-carb lifestyle.
Q: How can I make this turkey skillet cheesier
A: For a richer, cheesier dish, simply stir in ¼ cup of grated Parmesan or shredded cheddar cheese when you add the heavy cream. Continue stirring until the cheese is completely melted into the sauce.
Q: Can I add other vegetables to this skillet
A: Definitely! You can easily add other low-carb vegetables. The recipe suggests sautéing chopped mushrooms or bell peppers along with the onion until they are tender.
Q: Can I use fresh herbs instead of dried thyme
A: Yes, absolutely! The pro tips suggest swapping the ½ teaspoon of dried thyme for 1 ½ teaspoons of fresh thyme for a brighter, more aromatic flavor.
Pro Tips
- Chop the boiled cauliflower florets into small, rice-sized pieces so they mimic a classic hash. Finely chopped cauliflower also cooks faster and melds into the cream sauce better.
- Sauté the onion in butter for 3-4 minutes until soft and fragrant before adding the cauliflower and thyme. Those few minutes build the savory base of the whole skillet.
- Pour the heavy cream in over low heat and stir constantly until the sauce thickens just enough to coat everything. High heat can make the cream split instead of turning silky.
- For an extra rich, cheesy version, stir in 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan or shredded cheddar along with the heavy cream until it melts into the sauce.
- Swap the 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme for 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh thyme for a brighter flavor, and add chopped mushrooms or bell peppers with the onion for extra low-carb vegetables.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this turkey and cauliflower skillet keto-friendly?
Yes, each serving has about 309 calories, 34.3g of protein, and just 3.6g of carbohydrates. The cauliflower replaces a starchy hash, keeping the whole one-pan meal low-carb.
How can I make this skillet cheesier?
Stir in 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan or shredded cheddar when you add the heavy cream. Keep stirring over low heat until the cheese melts smoothly into the sauce.
Can I add other vegetables to this dish?
Definitely, chopped mushrooms and bell peppers work well. Sauté them with the onion until tender before adding the cauliflower, and the cream sauce will coat everything.
Can I use fresh herbs instead of dried thyme?
Yes, replace the 1/2 teaspoon of dried thyme with 1 1/2 teaspoons of fresh thyme for a brighter, more aromatic flavor. Fresh parsley or chives make a lovely garnish too.
Recipe card below.
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Creamy Turkey and Cauliflower Skillet
Ingredients
Method
- Directions
- Take your pre-boiled cauliflower florets and finely chop them into small, rice-sized pieces.
- Set aside.
- In a medium skillet over medium heat, melt the butter.
- Add the chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until it becomes soft and fragrant.
- Stir in the finely chopped cauliflower and the crushed dried thyme.
- Continue to cook for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- Add the chopped cooked turkey to the skillet.
- Stir and cook for 3-5 minutes, or until the turkey is completely heated through.
- Reduce the heat to low and pour in the heavy cream.
- Stir constantly until the sauce thickens slightly and coats all the .
- Season generously with salt and black pepper to your liking.
- Serve hot, straight from the skillet.
