Turkey Afritada Recipe: Filipino Tomato-Braised Turkey Dinner

An easy, breezy way to use up your Thanksgiving turkey leftovers. We love transforming leftover ingredients into simple, satisfying dishes — and this Turkey Afritada is a perfect example.

Turkey afritada is a Filipino-American tomato-based stew made with turkey, tomato sauce, potatoes, carrots, and peas. This recipe is a twist on classic Afritadang Manok (chicken afritada) and comes together in one pot for a quick, flavorful meal.

Turn your post‑Thanksgiving meal into round two — read on for the recipe.

Table of Contents

What is Afritada?

Afritada is a Filipino dish influenced by Spanish cooking. The name traces back to the Spanish word “fritada,” referring to the initial step of pan-frying the meat before braising it.

Traditionally, afritada is made with chicken or pork braised in a tomato-based sauce or banana ketchup, and often includes potatoes, carrots, and peas. It’s a casual, hearty family meal in the Philippines.

For this Filipino‑American version we designed with Thanksgiving leftovers in mind, cooked turkey becomes the star protein. Because the turkey is already cooked, it’s added near the end of the braise so it stays tender.

Serve with steamed white rice so the tomato sauce soaks into the grains for a comforting bowl.

Why You Should Make Turkey Afritada

Hearty and nutritious – The stew is vegetable-forward and uses whole ingredients. Choose low-sodium tomato sauce and stock, and lean turkey cuts for a lighter version.

Simple and economical – A one-pot way to use leftover turkey and pantry staples.

Comforting – Warm tomato braise with rice is ideal for cool weather and easy weeknight dinners.

What cut of turkey should I use?

This recipe works with any cooked turkey — light or dark meat. You can also use pre-cooked turkey breast from the grocery store or your holiday leftovers. If you prefer, swap turkey for chicken and follow the same method.

Ingredients

• oil for the pan
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup onion, chopped
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 2 Roma tomatoes, chopped
• 1 tbsp patis (Filipino fish sauce)
• 2 lbs cooked turkey, cut into medium pieces (turkey breast works well)
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 1½ cup turkey stock
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1 tbsp oyster sauce
• 6 baby potatoes (or 1 large potato, chopped)
• 2 carrots, sliced
• ½ cup peas
• salt and pepper to taste
• parsley for garnish

Patis and oyster sauce are optional but add deeper umami and balance to the tomato base.

Turkey Afritada Recipe

1. In a stewing pot or large pan, heat a splash of oil over medium heat. Sauté the garlic and onion until soft and fragrant, about 2–3 minutes.
2. Add the bell pepper, chopped tomatoes, and fish sauce. Cook 4–5 minutes until the vegetables have softened but the tomato still holds some shape.
3. Stir in the tomato sauce, bay leaves, tomato paste, oyster sauce, and sugar. Mix well to combine.
4. Add the turkey stock and bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring occasionally.
5. Add the potatoes, carrots, and peas. Stir to combine, cover the pot, and simmer for about 10 minutes.
6. Reduce heat to a very gentle simmer. Add the cooked turkey, stir to incorporate, and cover. Cook 3–5 minutes until the turkey is heated through and the potatoes are fork-tender; cook a little longer if needed.
7. Season with salt and pepper to taste — we like a generous grind of black pepper. Garnish with parsley and serve hot with steamed rice.

Tips on Cooking Turkey Afritada

• Frozen peas and carrots work great and save prep time.
• When cutting turkey into bite-sized pieces, slice against the grain to improve tenderness.
• Baby red or yellow potatoes cook quickly and can be used whole; large potatoes should be cut into chunks so they cook through faster.

Final Thoughts

Make the most of your Thanksgiving turkey with this effortless, one-pot afritada. The tomato-rich broth, tender vegetables, and warm rice make a comforting second meal that’s easy to love.

If you try the recipe, we’d love to hear how it turned out — leave a review or share a photo of your dish.

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References & Further Reading

Sources consulted when describing afritada include historical and culinary overviews of Filipino stews and traditional recipe write-ups.