I stumbled across this turkey curry recipe years ago when I had leftover Thanksgiving turkey and wanted something completely different from sandwiches. The warmth of curry spices paired with tender turkey creates such a satisfying meal, and it’s become one of my go-to recipes for using up holiday leftovers or for a weeknight dinner when I’m craving something with flavor.
The beauty of this curry lies in its simplicity. You don’t need to hunt down exotic ingredients or spend hours building complex spice pastes. A good curry powder does most of the heavy lifting, while onions, garlic, and ginger create the aromatic base. I’ve found that adding vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and bell peppers not only stretches the dish but also adds lovely texture and color. The coconut milk brings everything together with its creamy richness, and a splash of chicken broth keeps the meat moist.
Building Flavor in Your Turkey Curry
What makes this recipe work so well is the order of operations. You brown the turkey first to develop flavor, then build your spice base in the same pot. This technique layers the flavors beautifully. The vegetables go in based on their cooking times, with potatoes first since they take longest, followed by the quicker-cooking peppers and peas. Don’t skip the step of blooming your spices in oil before adding liquids. It makes such a difference in the final flavor.
Perfect for Shabbat and Beyond
This curry is perfect for Shabbat dinner or when you’re feeding a crowd. I like to serve it over basmati rice or with some warm pita bread on the side. Leftovers taste even better the next day, and it freezes beautifully if you want to make a double batch.

Ingredients
Method
- Heat oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season turkey pieces with salt and pepper, then brown them on all sides, about 5-6 minutes total. Remove turkey to a plate and set aside.
- In the same pot, add diced onion and cook until softened, about 4-5 minutes. Add garlic and ginger, cooking for another minute until fragrant.
- Add curry powder, cumin, turmeric, and cayenne to the pot. Stir constantly for 30 seconds until spices are fragrant and well combined with the onions.
- Pour in coconut milk and chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Add cubed potatoes and bring mixture to a simmer.
- Return turkey to the pot along with carrots. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add bell pepper and continue cooking for 8-10 minutes until vegetables are tender and turkey is cooked through.
- Stir in frozen peas and cook for 2-3 minutes until heated through. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
- Serve hot over basmati rice, garnished with fresh cilantro.
