Turkey Dinner Goulash

This is a great option for leftover turkey and is simple and quick to make. You can also make it with raw ground turkey any time of year. (Instructions for that at the end of the recipe.)

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups water or chicken broth
1 large onion, diced
1 cup chopped celery
3/4 cup diced carrots
1 small apple, cored and diced (sounds weird, but trust me, it's good)
1 Tbsp lemon juice or apple cider vinegar
1 tsp minced garlic
3/4 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp ground sage (or 1 tsp rubbed sage)
1/2 tsp dried thyme leaves
1/2 tsp tarragon (optional)
(If you don't have these individual herbs, use 2 1/2 tsp poultry seasoning)
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup crisp bacon pieces
8 oz (about 2 cups) macaroni, shells or other small pasta
1 to 3 cups leftover cooked turkey
3 1/2 Tbsp cornstarch
1/4 cup water or broth
1 cup frozen peas or corn
1/4 to 3/4 cups leftover turkey gravy, if available

Directions:

Press Saute on the Instant Pot. Put everything except the pasta, cornstarch, water/broth, peas/corn, cooked turkey and leftover gravy in the Instant Pot. Stir well and when it comes to a merry boil, add the pasta. Push it into the liquid so the pasta is separated and completely submerged.. Close the pot and set the valve to Sealing. Use the + or – button to get to 4 minutes.

When it beeps that it's done, flip the valve to Venting for a quick release. If it starts to spew any liquid, flip the valve back to Sealing for about 10 seconds and then back to Venting. Keep doing this if it spews again. When the pin drops, open the pot.

Taste a piece of the pasta. If it is a little too al dente (barely done), let it sit for a couple of minutes to continue cooking in its own heat.

Mix the cornstarch and water together until smooth. Roughly chop the cooked turkey into bite-sized pieces.

Press Cancel and then Saute. Add the turkey and when it comes back to a boil, stir in about half the cornstarch slurry. Bring it to a boil to thicken the liquid and add more slurry if you want it thicker.

Press Cancel and stir in the frozen peas or corn. The heat of the mixture is enough to cook them perfectly. Stir in the leftover gravy if you have it. Taste and add salt and pepper if needed.

Serve with a little cranberry sauce if desired. This goulash tastes like turkey dinner: turkey, dressing, cranberry sauce and gravy, all cooked together with the pasta. I hope you love it.

Raw Ground Turkey Option
Saute 1 lb ground turkey in 1 tablespoon oil until lightly browned. Then add the broth and stir to scrape all the browned bits off the bottom. Press Cancel and proceed with the recipe the same as for cooked turkey.