Turkey Leftovers with a Moroccan Twist

Christmas Day is gloriously indulgent: the golden roast, the pigs in blankets, the bread sauce, and the pudding you swore you had no room for. By the time Boxing Day arrives, most of us are craving something lighter, and that's exactly where this salad shines.

Our Moroccan Salad is fresh, vibrant and wonderfully refreshing, a welcome change after the richness of the day before. It also makes the very most of your leftover Copas turkey, so nothing from the feast goes to waste.

Fluffy couscous is infused with fragrant Ras el Hanout, then tossed with chickpeas, roasted aubergines and courgettes, juicy tomatoes and a little red chilli. Tender shredded turkey brings it all together, and a handful of fresh coriander adds a bright, zesty finish.

It's easy, too. Ten minutes of preparation and twenty minutes of cooking is all it takes to feed four, leaving you free for a crisp Boxing Day walk, a board game or another film by the fire. Serve with toasted pita breads and let everyone dig in.

Here's how to make it.

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Serves: 4

INGREDIENTS:

• 500g leftover turkey, shredded.
• 200g couscous
• 400g chickpeas
• 2 red chillies, de seeded, & finely chopped
• 200g chopped fresh tomatoes
• 2 aubergines
• 2 courgettes
• 1tbsp Ras el Hanout
• 1 small bunch coriander, roughly chopped
• Toasted pita breads to serve
• Olive oil

METHOD:

1. Pre heat oven to 200°C
2. Slice aubergines and courgettes into 1cm thick discs. Then chop the courgettes slices in half and the aubergine slices into quarters. Spread out onto a baking tray and drizzle with a little oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
3. Place in the oven and cook for approx. 10 minutes on each side or until tender and beginning to brown. Remove and allow to cool.
4. Drain and rinse the chickpeas
5. Place the couscous in a heat proof bowl. Bring a kettle of water to the boil and pour it over the couscous to cover by roughly 1cm/½in. and add a drizzle of olive oil. Stir, cover, and set aside for 10 minutes.
6. Flu the couscous with a fork to separate the grains and stir through the and Ras El Hanout and chickpeas.
7. Once combined, add the chilli, tomatoes, aubergines, courgettes, and turkey.
8. Season with Salt and Pepper to taste and allow to cool fully.
9. Transfer to your serving dish and sprinkle over the chopped coriander.
10. Slice the toasted pitta breads and serve.

We think the best meals are the ones that stretch a little further and bring everyone back to the table, and this Moroccan Salad does exactly that. It's proof that a truly great turkey keeps on giving, long after the main event. If you're planning your celebration and want a bird worth savouring down to the very last bite, discover our Copas turkeys here. And if you give this recipe a try, we'd love to hear how you got on, so do share your creations with us.

FAQs

What can I make with leftover turkey? Leftover turkey works brilliantly in salads, curries, pies and sandwiches. This Moroccan Salad is a fresh, lighter option, combining 500g of shredded turkey with spiced couscous, chickpeas and roasted vegetables to serve four.

How long does this Moroccan turkey salad take to make? It takes about 30 minutes in total: 10 minutes of preparation and 20 minutes of cooking, plus time for the salad to cool fully before serving.

What is Ras el Hanout? Ras el Hanout is a warm, fragrant North African spice blend. It often includes spices such as cumin, coriander, cinnamon, ginger and turmeric, and it gives the couscous its gentle, aromatic Moroccan flavour.

Can I make this salad ahead of time? Yes. It's ideal for making ahead, as it's served cold. Keep it covered in the fridge and enjoy it within two days. Add the coriander just before serving for the freshest flavour.

Delicious Ideas for Leftovers

With a Copas turkey, the feasting doesn’t stop at Christmas dinner. Our birds are raised to be full of flavour and generously sized, which means you’ll have plenty of tender meat left to enjoy once the big day is over. Rather than simply reheating, why not make the most of it? From rich, comforting soups to vibrant salads, warming curries, and family-friendly favourites, our digital cookbook gives you plenty to feast upon.