Growing up in New Jersey I learned to love "Diner Food" and I could always count on Turkey or Chicken Croquettes to be on the menu. This is my recreation of that classic diner dish.
Old Fashioned Turkey Croquettes-
It never fails that every time I roast a turkey, I always have more turkey than we can eat before we get tired of it. I re-use the leftovers just about every way you can think of, but a good portion always ends up in the freezer and never gets used.
And that’s why I started making Turkey Croquettes!
What is a Croquette?
“A Croquette is a small breadcrumbed fried food roll containing, usually as main ingredients, ground meat (veal, beef, chicken, or turkey), shellfish, fish, ham, cheese, mashed potatoes or vegetables, and mixed with béchamel or brown sauce, and soaked white bread, egg, onion, spices and herbs, wine, milk, beer, or some combination, sometimes with a filling, such as sautéed onions, mushrooms, or boiled eggs.
The croquette is usually shaped into a cylinder, disk, or oval shape, and then deep-fried. The croquette (from the French croquer, “to crunch”) has gained worldwide popularity, both as a delicacy and as fast food.”
While I wasn’t born in New Jersey, we moved here when I was pretty young and at the height of New Jersey’s love affair with Diners.
I remember reading that pretty much all the diners in the country were made in New Jersey. Of course, those were the days of the shiny aluminum sided diners with the Formica tabletops, and jukebox players at every table…….sigh, those were the days.
It didn’t matter what you got, the portion was huge and it was homemade and just plain delicious, and you could always find Turkey Croquettes on the menu. Even the shape was different then, more like a cone with a flat top.
So what do you do with leftover Turkey? You make croquettes, and enjoy a taste of the past.
Not only is this a great way to use up leftover turkey, but it’s also a wonderful way to introduce a new generation to the joys of true Diner Food. Enjoy these croquettes with a salad, soup or indulge with a side of mashed potatoes and lots of turkey gravy!
You’ll find different views on how to make croquettes, some folks use mashed potatoes and others use stuffing.
I’ve always found that stuffing makes a lighter tastier croquette that doesn’t sink like a lead weight in your stomach. I promise you’ll like my stuffing version better!
But any way you make them you’re making a New Jersey Diner Classic!
If you’re looking for more ways to enjoy your leftover turkey, you’re going to love these recipes!
Old Fashioned Turkey Croquettes
Ingredients
Turkey Croquettes
- 2 cups finely chopped turkey use food processor
- 2 cups potato bread stuffing or use your favortie brand of stuffing mix
- 1/2 cup finely minced celery
- 1/2 cup finely minced onion
- 1/2 cup finely minced carrots
- 4 oz butter
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups chicken stock
- 1 tbsp poultry seasoning or ground sage
breading station
- black pepper and sea salt to taste
- 2 large eggs lightly beaten
- 1 cup seasoned bread crumbs
- 1 cup flour
- 1/2 cup milk
- 4 oz olive oil to saute croquettes
Instructions
- In your food processor add celery, carrots and onion and pulse till finely minced
- In a saute pan melt butter and add finely minced celery, carrots, and onion. Saute until softened (3-5 minutes) Allow to cool.
- In the food processor add your turkey and pulse until finely chopped. (use a mix of dark and white meat)
- In a large mixing bowl, add turkey, stuffing cubes, sauteed celery, onions, carrots, and poultry seasoning. Mix all the ingredients together.
- Add 1 cup of chicken stock and two lightly beaten eggs and mix together. Gradually add more chicken stock as needed. You want the mixture to resemble stuffing consistency. **Don’t let it get too wet. It will continue to absorb the liquid as it sits in your refrigerator setting up but it still needs to be shaped so it needs to have a formable consistency.
- Season to taste with sea salt and black pepper.
- After mixing all ingredients together fully, refrigerate for 2-3 hours to allow mix to set up .
- After the mix has set up form into cone-shaped croquettes
- Dust croquettes in flour seasoned with salt and pepper, then into the egg wash (egg and milk) and then into the seasoned bread crumbs. (this is a typical breading station)
- Saute croquettes in olive oil, turning until all sides have been lightly browned.
- Place croquettes you are going to serve into a 350-degree oven for 15-20 minutes until fully heated. (minimum 165 degrees)
- Freeze the remainder to use another day!
- Serve Croquettes with sides of your choice and your favorite turkey gravy and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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Sherryl Townsley says
Made these exactly as recommended they are great! Used left over cornbread stuffing & mashed potatoes, I have a lot frozen for future meals. I wrapped each one in plastic wrap then in gallon freezer bag.
Liz says
How big of a pan do I brown my croquettes
Chef Dennis Littley says
What ever size you feel comfortable using. You can do them all at once or in batches
Dana Vanhove says
I grew up in NJ, and remember back in the 70s when my mom used to make croquettes. Always loved them! Made your recipe last night with my left over turkey from Thanksgiving–and OMG it was delish! My family loved it. To make it just a bit crispier on the outside, I added a bit of cornmeal flour to the breading SO GOOD! Served atop taters, with gravy on top, a few sprigs of thyme… Broc on the side, and Mama Stamberg’s cranberry chutney, plus my lemon/ginger/jalapeno cranberry sauce. MMMMMM!
Chef Dennis Littley says
Wow that sounds delicious and I like the addition of the cornmeal to the recipe.
Beth M says
Made these tonight I’m a Jersey girl and have been missing this for 40 + years what a treat, I have pic’s for you too , thank you! I just don’t know how to post them
Dianne says
Thank you very much for sharing your recipe! Followed your instructions to the T using the leftover turkey from Thanksgiving and it was absolutely delicious! I received lots of compliments too!
Dianne says
Thank you very much for sharing your recipe! Followed your instructions to the T using the leftover turkey from Thanksgiving and it was absolutely delicious! I received lots of compliments too! Thanks again
Dawn Hlavin from So Cal says
Finally!!!!! Some of my fondest food memories involve various meals made from leftover turkey. Growing up in Southern California, some families made delicious tamales, smothered open faced sammies and odd casserole combinations using presentation methods that were popular during the late 60’s/early 70’s. The latter were often more visually intriguing than edible. Perhaps the most puzzling was an appetizer presented by the wife of my fathers work colleague. I was 6 and seated at “the children’s table” which was the lucky recipient of brightly colored plastic skewers shaped like swords upon which were cubes of cold turkey and alternating uncooked cranberries, a ping pong ball sized glob of cold stuffing and a green olive to add a splash of color. Needless to say, I was a very hungry little girl once home. However, there was one item that she had presented to “grown ups”. My father allowed me to have a “try it bite” and to this day, I have never been able to replicate it. Warm, delicious and comforting Turkey Croquettes were the main course item for “the old people.” I have been given recipes for this wacky, strange but somehow comforting and satisfying “thing called croquette.” Nothing has ever come remotely close to bringing me back to that one “try it bite.”
You have done it! This recipe is a keeper. I skeptically tried your version, all the while doubtful. Well, sir, BRAVO! You have offered me a chance to savor a lovely memory. It is rare to find a recipe that completely arouses one senses and brings them back to the pleasant, enticing and wonderful associative memories of foods now considered “de classe”, “pedestrian”and “gauche.”
Thank you so much. I plan on using your recipe every year. My own happy “food moment”. It brings me back to a time of innocence, wonderment and comfort.
Chef Dennis Littley says
What a great comment, you really made my night! I’m happy to hear that you enjoyed the croquettes and it stirred wonderful memories.
Gary says
I was able to figure it out but this recipe calls for 4 slightly beaten eggs, 2 for the mix and 2 for the breading station.
Chef Dennis Littley says
thank you for pointing that out, I have corrected the recipe
Theresa Lacianca says
Dennis: Thanks for your help. In Philly my mom mad croquettes after big meals, chicken, turkey and ham and we loved them all. Only sorry I didn’t get her exact recipe. I can’t wait to try your. You are right dinner don’t have them usually. We go to a breakfast/lunch restaurant in Broomall PA and they have chicken on their menu regularly, pretty good too. Restaurant name is Apple Walnut in west chester pike
Thanks again, Theresa
Alescha Caldwell says
Did this with gluten Free stuffing mix, and Gluten Free finely ground Panko bread crumbs. Made a sauce out of left over cranberry sauce thinned with brandy and lemon. Very nice sauce.
Eletta says
Well I made them last night, I had leftover sausage stuffing and chicken, all I can say is Yummmmm…..my fiance absolutely loved them and I was so happy. Thanks Dennis, this recipe is perfect.
Chef Dennis Littley says
I’m very happy to hear you enjoyed the croquettes, its one of my wifes favorite dishes!
Kristen Dougherty says
AMAZING! I grew up in the Philly burbs & have been searching for a perfect Chicken Croquette recipe. I have failed so many times but this one is the perfect recipe! My pickiest eater came back for seconds after she had already left the table. I grabbed some shredded rotisserie chicken from our grocery store & it was the perfect amount & taste. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!! My husband (who is a self proclaimed croquette expert) couldn’t get enough either!
Marlene R. says
WOW! Another Jersey person! My husband and I are both from the Jersey Shore. Land of at least six dozen diners. Moved to SC eight years ago (taxes, what else?).
The #1 thing we miss is the Jersey food. NOWHERE else can you find it!
We both grew up in a town that has at least five, and the next town over has another five or so. Our favorite diner has been in business for at least 45 years, so every time we go back up, we make that one THE focal point of our travels.
There was a diner–long gone now–that made these when I was a young girl. It is closed now, but I still remember them as though it were yesterday.
Going to try your recipe this week, since we have a lot of turkey left over.
Chef Dennis Littley says
hi Marlene
I’ve also got a great recipe for clams casino and crab imperial if you like Jersey shore dishes.
Victoria says
Thanks very much for this recipe — it was fantastic. Philly girl and this made me feel like a child again at the Jersey shore. I think I love you, Dennis…..
Chef Dennis Littley says
Thank you so much for the great review Victoria and you made my day with your comment!
Bernadette M Morse says
Would love your other jersey shore recipes.
Chef Dennis Littley says
You can find my clams casino, deviled clams, crab imperial, crabcakes and a lot of the recipes I served at Cousins restaurant in Ocean City on my blog.
Katrina says
Loved it , reminds me of a meal My Mother and I ate at Diner in Glassboro,NJ. We would have with mash potatoes, gravy , pickled beets and side of coleslaw.
Chef Dennis Littley says
Thank you Katrina! I remember that diner, for me it was a diner on route 206 in Vincentown, NJ.
Eletta says
Red Lion Diner? The Diner I work for now are the same owners as Red Lion.
Chef Dennis Littley says
It was the Vincentown diner.
Eletta says
Wow, are you talking about PB’s Diner or Angelo’s Diner, as of now I work at what was formerly PB’s and it is booming, however the croquettes are much to be desired, I’m going to make this recipe and bring a sample so they can see what a croquette really is.
Patricia Hopman says
This recipe looks amazing! I have just mixed it all up and can hardly wait to roll the into croquettes. I love the stuffing added in! Thanks for a wonderful recipe!Patricia Hopman
Charles roberts says
For ingredients under breading station it says one large large ,what is thatj
Chef Dennis Littley says
thanks for catching that Charles. It was a misprint. Its fixed now.
Patricia Raupp says
I goofed . I didn’t sauta my onions,carrots,celery first, I added all ingredients hope it comes out good, also added cranberry sauce less checked broth..we will see.
sharon oneill says
I had leftover stuffing. mashed potatoes. and turkey. I kept adding the stuffing and potatoes to the chopped up turkey until the consistency barely stuck to my hands. Then I dipped them in egg then crumbs and rolled into croquettes. I pan fried to brown them and then finished off in the oven at 350. I made a sauce from another recipe. Melted a can of cranberry sauce and added some white wine. Came out delicious but would have preferred turkey gravy. Your recipe inspired me to just wing it and am glad I did. Thanks.
Brenda Spinelli says
Perfect! Just how my mom makes them! I never paid attention to how my mom made them when I was young living at home. I kind of just wingged the recipe when I became a mom. I thought they were good as did my kids. At 54, I was making croquettes and my mom (who now lives with me) informed me I was making them wrong all these years. I was not using milk & flour. Makes all the difference. Thanks.
Chef Dennis Littley says
I’m happy to hear you found a recipe that was close to your moms and that you can now enjoy them with your family!
Turps says
I used this mix to make sausage rolls, just get a sheet of puff pastry, cut it in two and put a 1″ tube of the mix onto each half and roll into a tube. Use a bit of milk for the overlap and cut into 4 or five pieces, put them seam down on a greased sheet pan, paint with milk and bake at 425 for 20-25 minutes.
Awesome
Chef Dennis Littley says
Thanks for sharing your deliciousness with us!
Paulette BIllingsley says
I made this this AM ,it looks fantastic ,I made the mistake of the broth made an adjustment and add the leftover mashed potatoes and it worked for me also added left over veg .thank you for the insight to these little wonders
Chef Dennis Littley says
happy to hear you enjoyed them!
Marie keehl says
I’m going to use this recipe tomorrow, I have left over pork roast. The first and last time I had croquettes was 3 years ago in Pennsylvania ( it was an old diner car) and I instantly fell in love with them. I have tried to make them before with no success. I think I can master it with this recipe. Ty
Debra Nowak says
Thank you for reviving memories of my Grandmother and her fabulous cooking. Only her diner was a pub in Cleveland OH
Chef Dennis Littley says
You’re very welcome Debra
Tracy Cherry Powell says
This Jersey Girl loves your recipe. I haven’t had these for almost 10-12yrs. Thank you for sharing your recipe, it was delicious!!
Chef Dennis Littley says
I’m happy to hear that you enjoyed my recipe, my wife loves her turkey croquettes! We grew up in the land of diners in NJ and Pa.
Stacy says
I was so excited to try this recipe but unfortunately it was a flop. My mistake was not separating the stuffing steps when I already had leftover stuffing to use. I knew when I added the 2 cups of broth that I had made a major mistake.
I am sure this is a wonderful recipe, I just wish the directions were a little more clear in separating the stuffing steps from the rest of the recipe. I will give it another go at some point.
Eddie says
I made the same mistake last year, Lol. They were loose but the flavor was there ;-p I’m about to redeem myself today :-). Eddie NJ
dorothy says
Great recipe – similar to my mother’s recipe! We serve it with a white pea sauce. I passed it on to my sister in Vermont!
Chef Dennis Littley says
I love the idea of a white pea sauce Dorothy! Thanks so much for the feedback!
Cathy says
Hi Chef Dennis, made these today with leftover Turkey and stuffing and they were a hit! As a MSJA mom, your peanut butter pie is also on our Thanksgiving table each year for my 2008 alumni. Hope you are warm down south! We had a white Thanksgiving in Flourtown/Erdenheim!
Chef Dennis Littley says
thanks so much for letting me know Cathy, Florida has been a little cool this November but still mostly sunny which is the main reason we moved… gotta love sunshine!
mary bryan says
I am trying this recipe as i type this…i had leftover stuffing so skipped those steps..so mixed turkey and stuffing and beat the 2 eggs and the stock and it looks very runny..should it look runny? I am worried that it isnt going to set..i actually was afraid to add 2 full cups of stock so did about 1 1/2cups…it is in the fridge now and i hope it will set as it is supposed to.
Chef Dennis Littley says
it should not be runny Mary, if you already had stuffing made you wouldn’t need the stock, that was to make the stuffing
felicia says
Thanks for this recipe.My family loved these croquettes.I will definitely be making this again.
Chef Dennis Littley says
you’re very welcome Felica, and I’m happy to hear they turned out well!
Colleen says
This is different than my mothers recipe but looks delicious! The added dressing sounds like a great idea. My mom made them with chopped turkey, celery, onions, spices and mixed into a prepared thick white sauce. Cooled in fridge and rolled in egg wash, crackers, egg wash, crackers then deep fried and served with mashed potatoes and cream peas. Our all time family favourite meal! What great memories.
ray says
the ingredients say “one cup of flour”, but the instructions say “seasoned flour”.
Chef Dennis Littley says
sorry for the mix up I fixed the recipe, when ever I use a flour to coat any meat product I always add some some salt and pepper to the flour to it, that’s the seasoned flour. Thanks for asking and I hope the croquettes turn out well for you!
Eddie Myler says
I didnt read til the end that i wasnt supposed to use the butter,onion, celery, carrot mix with leftover stuffing, ooops! So I added a box of stove top and some flour, fingers crossed! Should be ok.
mangiabella says
these look fantastic, I love croquettes and it’s been so very long since I’ve had them, I must try them this year. I have missed your posts so very much, it feels great to jump back in & write and read my favorite bloggers. I am wishing you a very happy and healthy and prosperous new year – sending all my love!
Alyssa (Everyday Maven) says
Oh my god!!!! I grew up eating Turkey Croquettes (as well as Chicken and Salmon!) in the Philadelphia area. I know what you mean about diners lol! These look amazing!
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
What a brilliant idea to use stuffing! I cooked only a ham for Christmas but the next time I roast a turkey – these croquettes are mine!
Olga says
It looks so delicious.
Regards
Olguis.
love cooking says
This is so good. I like this, meat ball with vegetable mixing, should have very good texture. I am thinking to add some cheese into it, so it becomes juicy a bit inside. 🙂
Chef D says
I’m sorry Rosanna, I do not have any other Entrement recipes
Kimby says
Love diners, diner food, and your interpretation of turkey croquettes!
Betty Ann @Mango_Queen says
This recipe reminds me so much of my late mom. She used to make croquettes a lot and called them “crocketas” ! I learned early on to make them out of anything that was leftover. But this is something new – turkey! Who knew? Must try it. Thanks for the recipe. Happy New Year, Chef Dennis! All the best for 2013 !!!!
adam @unorthodoxepicure says
Those croquettes seem too attractive to have been made from leftovers. Wow! Nice. — And, have you noticed that many ‘diners’ aren’t 24-hour operations any more?
Lynn says
Diners… Funny hearing about your experience. Mark decided to give me a kitchen remodel for Christmas and we’ve been reviewing design options. There are lots of midcentury modern options out there now that remind me of diners
– Formica, retro bright colored appliances and more. Great items and ideas, just like your turkey croquettes! I’d never have thought about making leftovers into croquettes. But then again I’d never have thought about a modern diner like kitchen either 😉
RavieNomNoms says
These are so great! What a fun way to change things up. The last time I had croquette’s they were eggplant. I think I might try this next!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
I love that you use stuffing, a delicious idea!
Kristi Rimkus says
Chef these look incredibly delicious!