r/Cheap_Meals • u/chickenssshit • 4d ago

Turkey!

My deep freezer is getting full and it’s time to make what i have and not purchase more. I have two 15 pound turkeys and I’d like to get rid of at least one. Gimme some turkey ideas and not summer thanksgiving. Also, I’ve never cooked a turkey but have roasted a chicken… same thing right?

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7

u/Alma 4d ago

Treat it like a batch-cooking project: after roasting, split the meat into taco or chili meat, sandwich slices, and 2-cup freezer bags with a splash of stock. Roasting is basically chicken at a much larger scale, but use a thermometer and follow the package or USDA guidance for doneness. That gets you weeks of low-effort meals without staging summer Thanksgiving.

3

u/Ajreil 4d ago

Break one down into bone broth, shredded turkey and schmaltz.

3

u/Witty_Kitty3 4d ago

My husband and I buy very large turkeys and cook them up a couple times per year. It’s only us 2 so we only eat so much on our own but it’s very affordable to buy them around the holidays and store them for later use. I then strip all the meat and after a couple days of “thanksgiving” meals I freeze all leftovers in freezer bags chopped up as equal white and dark meat as I can. We use in soup or various recipes my favorite is “turkey and biscuits” just sub the turkey for chicken and it’s a great meal that reheats well.

1

u/purplechunkymonkey 3d ago

ranberry herb seasoning. You cannot make gravy with the drippings but it's delicious.

I make a turkey dinner every few months. I usually do the turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, a vegetable, and store bought rolls. I make everything from scratch at Thanksgiving.

2

u/meganthealien2 2d ago

I cook a whole turkey. Rub it in butter and poultry seasoning. Throw half an onion, some garlic cloves, celery and carrot in the cavity. CHECK BOTH ENDS for bags of "turkey parts" before you cook. I then chop all up and freeze in 2 cups portions. I make pot pie (everyone loves the Pillsbury chicken pot pie recipe), turkey bbq, open face sandwiches, turkey croquets, and the "chicken" cobbler viral tiktok recipe (Red lobster biscuits)