How to Meal Prep and Save Money with a Whole Turkey

Buying a whole turkey isn’t just for Thanksgiving—it's a fantastic way to meal prep and save money all year-round! By using every part of the bird, you can create a variety of meals that stretch your grocery budget while providing nutritious and tasty dinners. With some simple planning, a whole turkey can become the star ingredient of multiple dishes throughout the week. Here’s how you can meal prep and save money with Organic Prairie® Whole Turkey.

1. Roast the Whole Turkey

The first step in maximizing a whole turkey is roasting it properly. Season it with herbs, spices, and butter or oil, then roast it in the oven until it reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F. Roasting a whole turkey ensures you’ll have both light and dark meat to work with, offering variety in your meals.

Once the turkey is cooked, let it rest, then carve it into portions:

• Breast meat: Slice or shred for sandwiches, salads, or casseroles.
• Legs and thighs: Use for hearty meals like soups, stews, or tacos.
• Carcass: Save the bones to make turkey stock or broth, which can be used in soups, sauces, and grains. Or, make our Turkey Carcass Soup for an easy and cozy meal.

2. Portion and Freeze

To make the most of your turkey, portion out the meat for different meals throughout the week. Freezing the meat in individual portions will ensure you always have pre-cooked turkey on hand. Here’s a breakdown of how to portion and store it:

• Breast meat: Shred or slice the meat and store it in freezer-safe bags. Label each bag with the date and intended use (salads, sandwiches, etc.).
• Legs and thighs: Store these portions in separate bags, ready to add to soups, casseroles, or tacos.
• Turkey stock: After making stock from the bones, store it in mason jars or freezer-safe containers to use as a base for soups and sauces.

By freezing the turkey in portions, you’ll prevent food waste and save time on cooking later in the week.

3. Create Versatile Meals

Using turkey in a variety of different recipes ensures you won’t get bored eating the same protein. Here are some ideas for how to incorporate turkey into your meal prep:

• Turkey Tacos: Use shredded dark meat for taco fillings. Add spices, salsa, and fresh toppings for a quick and delicious meal.
• Turkey Soup: Use homemade turkey stock as a base, then add shredded turkey, vegetables, and noodles for a comforting soup. Try our recipe for Turkey Carcass Soup.
• Turkey Salad: Toss leftover turkey breast with fresh greens, veggies, and a light vinaigrette for a healthy, protein-packed salad. Try our recipe or Leftover Turkey Salad.
• Turkey Sandwiches: Make sandwiches with sliced turkey breast, cheese, and your favorite condiments. These make for easy lunches during the week. Or, try our recipe for Turkey Jalapeno Grilled Cheese.
• Turkey Casserole: Mix turkey with vegetables, pasta, and a creamy white sauce for a baked casserole that’s perfect for dinner or to take to work as leftover lunch.

4. Stretch Your Meals with Stock

One of the most budget friendly aspects of using a whole turkey is making stock from the bones. Turkey stock is rich in flavor and nutrients and can be used as the base for a variety of meals. Here’s how you can stretch your meals:

• Soups and Stews: Use turkey stock as a base for soups like turkey noodle or turkey and vegetable soup.
• Cooking Grains: Cook rice, quinoa, or couscous in turkey stock instead of water to add more flavor to your side dishes.
• Sauces: Use turkey stock to create gravies, sauces, or reductions that can accompany other dishes.

Making your own stock means you won’t need to buy store-bought broth, saving money while adding depth of flavor to your meals.

5. Plan for Leftovers

Meal prepping with a whole turkey allows you to plan for leftovers. Use leftover turkey to create entirely new meals instead of reheating the same dish. For example, roast turkey can be transformed into:

• Turkey chili: Use white meat, dark meat, or both to make turkey chili. You can replace the beef with turkey in our Cozy Beef Beef Chili and also in our Slow Cooker Pumpkin Chili recipes.
• Turkey pot pie: Use leftover turkey in a creamy filling, topped with pie crust for a comforting pot pie. You can easily replace white or dark meat turkey in our Hearty Meat Pie.
• Turkey wraps: Roll sliced turkey breast with veggies and hummus in a whole-wheat tortilla for a light lunch. Try our recipe for BBQ Turkey Avocado Wrap.

By planning for creative uses of leftovers, you’ll get more mileage out of your turkey and prevent food waste.

Don’t Be a Turkey, Buy One Instead

A whole turkey is a budget-friendly option that can be turned into multiple meals throughout the week! By roasting, portioning, and freezing the meat, you’ll have ready-to-go protein for a variety of dishes. Using the turkey carcass to make stock also stretches your grocery dollars while adding richness to soups, grains, and sauces. With a little planning, you can meal prep efficiently, save money, and enjoy delicious turkey-based meals long after the holiday season.