Turkey in gravy with rice is a canteen classic you can make better at home than anywhere else. The principle is simple: brown the meat, add liquid, cover and let it braise until the meat is tender and the gravy thick. No cream needed; the gravy comes from the meat, the onion and a bit of patience. Turkey has a permanent place in our meal plans, so here are eight ways to cook it without getting bored.
How to make turkey in gravy that isn't dry
Turkey breast has very little fat, so it's less forgiving than chicken thighs. Two things make the difference. First: don't cut the meat into thin slices before braising; bigger pieces stay juicy. Second: braise it covered over a low heat, not at a rolling boil on full blast. If you want the classic with vegetables, our Turkey with carrot and ginger recipe (30 minutes) is exactly braised turkey in its own gravy, just with extra ginger to freshen up the sauce.
Turkey with rice from real meal plans, with macros
Our favourite among the quick versions is the Turkey steak with Mexican rice: 547 kcal, 47 g of protein and on the plate in 20 minutes. A tip straight from the recipe in the studio: If you want a bolder flavour, add a pinch of ground cumin or chilli powder to the Mexican rice and finish with a few drops of lime juice.
The Thursday email that plans your next week
Every Thursday we'll send you a sample meal plan for the week ahead, one recipe under the microscope and a tip on which foods are on offer right now.
When rice isn't enough: turkey for the rest of the week
Turkey can carry a lot more than a side of rice. From our recipes: Lazy lasagne with turkey ragù and cottage cheese béchamel (50 minutes, 419 kcal and 37 g P per portion), Turkey meatballs in a creamy sauce (35 minutes), Turkey curry with peppers (25 minutes), Creamy turkey pasta with honey, mustard and coconut milk (25 minutes), Kohlrabi pasta with a turkey fillet (20 minutes) and, for the weekend, Juicy turkey cutlets with a courgette and potato side (55 minutes). If you want to see how minced meat rotates across beef, pork and turkey in one overview, take a look at our minced meat recipes.
We mention two more turkey recipes elsewhere: you'll find the Turkey meatballs with chickpea flour, with 60 g P, in our overview of protein in your diet, and the Creamy courgette stew with turkey meatballs in our healthy courgette recipes. If you need lunch ready in half an hour, there are more ideas in our quick lunch recipes.
Frequently asked questions
How long do you braise turkey?
Pieces of breast take 20 to 30 minutes, covered, over a low heat. Braising breast meat for longer doesn't help; it dries the meat out instead of making it tender. Thighs can take up to an hour.
Why is my turkey tough?
Almost always because it was cooked too fiercely or for too long. Turkey breast needs a low heat and a lid; a rolling boil turns it into shoe leather.
Is turkey healthier than chicken?
They're very similar: lean meat with a high proportion of protein. Turkey breast tends to be slightly leaner, while chicken is cheaper and easier to find. We alternate between the two depending on the meal plan.
What can I serve with turkey in gravy instead of rice?
Tarhonya (egg barley pasta), pasta or mashed potatoes; they all soak up the gravy nicely. In our recipes above you'll also find turkey with pasta and with kohlrabi.
Get time and taste back in your week
You get your meal plan, recipes and shopping list ready-made. All that's left for you is the cooking.
Try Evenyn free for 3 days
