Nothing says “holiday meal” quite like turkey, but turkey is great any time of the year. It’s just not quite as ubiquitous. That leaves two questions for a survival mom: Where can I find some great leftover turkey recipes?!? And how can I add turkey to my long-term storage?
Help has arrived! Here are some great ideas for ways to use leftover turkey that go beyond a simple sandwich, and freeze-dried turkey and turkey-jerkey both make great additions to your long-term storage food.
Freeze dried foods look nearly identical to fresh because the freeze drying process retains the size, shape, and color of the food. Freeze dried raspberries and blackberries are almost identical to their fresh counterparts and we use these frequently in desserts and smoothies.
When food is freeze-dried, it is flash-frozen (frozen super quickly so ice crystals don’t form), then the moisture is removed and it is packaged. It is much less temperature-sensitive than most foods, is extremely light-weight, and can be returned to it’s original state just by adding boiling water, even decades later. When you buy a can of freeze-dried turkey or other meat, it is important to read the information on the can to know how long it should be good for.
Most companies sell freeze dried products in both small and large cans. The larger sizes are usually more economical – if you are going to actually use that much. If you will only use a small amount at a time, it’s better to buy several smaller sizes because they are only good for so long once they are opened. (The packaging includes guidelines.)
Sometimes, we just have too much to eat before it goes bad. That’s when it’s time to make some jerky and can some turkey to enjoy weeks or months later.
Turkey sandwiches are a classic leftover meal for a reason – they are fast, tasty, and (can be) yummy. That “can be” is the problem. Who hasn’t gotten sick of turkey sandwiches in the week after Thanksgiving? These give you more options for your lunch box.
Turkey Wraps with Curry-Chutney Mayonnaise and Peanuts
And more…15 Best-Ever Leftover Turkey Sandwiches
The Women's Outdoor News, aka The WON, features news, reviews and stories about women who are shooting, hunting, fishing and actively engaging in outdoor adventure. This publication is for women, by women. View all posts by The WON
