‘Tis the season for leftovers, and if you’re looking for a delicious way to transform leftover turkey into a family dinner, you’ll love this crockpot turkey stew! I don’t know about you, but post-Thanksgiving, I definitely can’t be bothered with the fuss of making anything too complicated from scratch. This one is just so easy, and that’s why I love having it in my holiday repertoire.

You just toss everything into the crockpot — tender chunks of leftover turkey, soft potatoes, carrots, celery, and a creamy, savory broth — and let it work its magic. The result is a rich, velvety stew that feels like the best parts of Thanksgiving or Christmas all over again (but without the chaos or pile of dishes).

Why you’ll love this recipe:

Perfect for leftovers: The easiest way to give that Thanksgiving or Christmas turkey new life.
Hands-off comfort food: Just load up the slow cooker and let it do the heavy lifting — no babysitting required.
Creamy, hearty, and cozy: The kind of meal that warms you up from the inside out.
Make-ahead friendly: Great for meal prep or those “too tired to cook” weeknights.
Family favorite: Even picky eaters will love this one — it’s simple, familiar, and full of flavor.

Ingredients

As always, I’ve included a printable recipe card for you at the bottom of this post, covering ingredients, measurements, and basically everything you need to know to make this stew. Be sure to print out a copy so you can easily find this one again during the busy holiday season!

Leftover turkey: This recipe is just perfect for Thanksgiving & Christmas leftovers. Use light or dark meat (or a mix of both). Just make sure it’s cooked and roughly chopped or shredded.
Potatoes: Russet or Yukon Golds both work beautifully here. They soak up all that savory flavor and make the stew extra hearty.
Carrots, celery & onion: The classic soup trio that builds a rich base of flavor.
Garlic: A little minced garlic goes a long way to deepen the flavor.
Turkey broth: Homemade broth is amazing if you’ve got it, but store-bought works perfectly too. You can even sub in chicken broth if that’s what’s on hand.
Turkey gravy mix: This is the secret shortcut that gives the stew that cozy, gravy-like richness without any fuss.
Seasonings: Poultry seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder round everything out with classic, comforting flavor.
Heavy cream + cornstarch: The dream team for creating that velvety, stew-like texture.
Frozen peas: They go in right at the end to stay bright and tender.
Parsley: Totally optional, but a sprinkle on top makes it feel a little fresher and holiday-worthy.

How To Make Crockpot Turkey Stew

Layer the ingredients: Add the turkey, potatoes, carrots, celery, onion, and garlic to your slow cooker.

Mix the broth and seasonings: In a separate bowl, whisk together the turkey broth, gravy mix, and all your seasonings. Pour the mixture into the slow cooker, making sure everything is nicely coated.

Cook it low and slow: Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6 hours, until the veggies are fork-tender and the turkey is perfectly juicy.
Thicken the stew: In a small bowl, whisk together the heavy cream and cornstarch until smooth, then stir it into the slow cooker.
Add the peas: Stir in the peas, cover again, and cook for another 30 minutes to let the stew thicken and the flavors meld together.

Serve and enjoy: Garnish with fresh herbs (or a sprinkle of cracked black pepper), grab a spoon, and dig in.

Storage & Make-Ahead Tips

Refrigerate: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. It reheats beautifully — just warm it gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until hot.
Freeze: You can absolutely freeze this stew, but for the best texture, try freezing it without the cream added. Store it in zip-top freezer bags or containers for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to reheat, stir in the cream after thawing and warming it through.
Make ahead: Want to save time in the morning? Chop all your veggies and whisk together the broth and seasonings the night before. Then just dump, stir, and go when it’s time to cook.

Substitutions

Leftover turkey: No leftovers? No problem! You can swap in rotisserie chicken or even raw, cubed turkey breast or thighs. Just toss it in at the start so it cooks through in the slow cooker.
Turkey broth: Chicken broth or stock works perfectly if you don’t have turkey broth on hand.
Heavy cream: For a lighter option, use half-and-half or evaporated milk. Going dairy-free? Try plain oat or almond milk and thicken it with a little extra cornstarch.
Gravy packet: A chicken or mushroom gravy mix will get the job done if that’s what’s in your pantry.
Frozen peas: Feel free to switch it up with frozen corn, green beans, or even a mixed veggie blend. Whatever you have in the freezer will work.

Serving Suggestions

This crockpot turkey stew is pure comfort food — hearty, creamy, and perfect for chilly nights. Here are a few ways to make it shine:

With crusty bread or biscuits: Serve it alongside a warm loaf of crusty bread, dinner rolls, or buttery biscuits to soak up all that rich gravy-like broth.
Over rice: For an extra-filling twist, spoon it over a bed of fluffy white rice.
Add a sprinkle of cheese: A handful of shredded cheddar or Parmesan on top just before serving takes it up a notch.
Holiday leftovers made fancy: This is such a good way to reinvent Thanksgiving turkey without it feeling like leftovers. Add a little cranberry sauce on the side for festive flair.
Serve with a simple green salad: Balance out the cozy richness with something light — a crisp salad with vinaigrette pairs perfectly.

Print Recipe

Crockpot Turkey Stew

This cozy crockpot turkey stew is the ultimate comfort meal for using up leftover holiday turkey. Tender chunks of turkey, hearty vegetables, and a creamy, flavorful broth all simmer together to create a bowl of pure comfort. It’s easy to make, freezer-friendly, and reheats beautifully — the kind of recipe that feels like a warm hug after a long day.

Prep Time5

Cook Time4

Total Time4 5

Course: Main Course

Servings:

Ingredients

3 cups leftover turkey
2 large potatoes peeled and diced
2 large carrots peeled and diced
2 stalks celery peeled and diced
1 onion chopped
2 cloves garlic minced
2 cups turkey broth
1 1 ounce packet turkey gravy
1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
1 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 cup frozen peas
Parsley for garnish optional

Instructions

Layer the ingredients: Add the turkey, potatoes, carrots, celery, onion, and garlic to your slow cooker.
Mix the broth and seasonings: In a separate bowl, whisk together the turkey broth, gravy mix, and all your seasonings. Pour the mixture into the slow cooker, making sure everything is nicely coated.
Cook it low and slow: Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6 hours, until the veggies are fork-tender and the turkey is perfectly juicy.
Thicken the stew: In a small bowl, whisk together the heavy cream and cornstarch until smooth, then stir it into the slow cooker.
Add the peas: Stir in the peas, cover again, and cook for another 30 minutes to let the stew thicken and the flavors meld together.
Serve and enjoy: Garnish with fresh herbs (or a sprinkle of cracked black pepper), grab a spoon, and dig in.

This recipe is one of my favorite ways to use up leftover turkey, and it’s such a cozy, comforting meal for those days over the holidays when you want something satisfying without the fuss. If you try it, let me know what you think in the comments below! Your feedback always means the world to me, and it helps me to create more recipes for you in the future.