The turkey is carved, the table is cleared, and now you're staring down a fridge full of leftovers. These leftover turkey recipes turn all that extra meat into brand new meals, from cozy soups to sandwiches to a few creative twists you probably haven't tried before.
No more sad reheated plates of the same dinner three nights in a row. Whether you have a little turkey left or a whole container of it, there's something here to use it all up.
Sandwiches and Wraps
Turkey Wrap Recipe
Turkey wraps are made by stuffing a tortilla with cooked or leftover turkey, lettuce, and cranberry sauce. Taking just 10 minutes to prepare, they serve as an ideal option for a packed lunch or a quick, light dinner!
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Cheesy Cranberry Turkey Baked Sliders
Cheesy Cranberry Turkey Baked Sliders are a quick 30 minute recipe to use up holiday leftovers for an easy family friendly dinner.
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Photo credit: thecreativebite.com
Cranberry Turkey Quesadillas
Leftover turkey gets folded into flour tortillas with sweet cranberry sauce and melted provolone, then toasted until crispy. Ready in about 15 minutes and a genuinely fun way to reuse two of the biggest Thanksgiving leftovers.
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Photo credit: diethood.com
The Ultimate Leftover Turkey Club
The Ultimate Leftover Turkey Club, do me a favor, don’t dirty up that stove again, make these babies instead! Very yummy you wont regret!
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Photo credit: ohsweetbasil.com
Turkey Cranberry Almond Wrap
This turkey cranberry almond wrap is the perfect way to use your leftover Thanksgiving turkey and cranberry sauce! Adapted to fit your families taste buds!
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Photo credit: tastesbetterfromscratch.com
Turkey Bacon Brie Grilled Cheese
Buttered artisan bread gets loaded with melted brie, sliced turkey, crispy bacon, and a garlic mayo, then pan seared until golden. A gourmet upgrade to the usual turkey sandwich, ready in under 15 minutes.
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Photo credit: simplejoy.com
Thanksgiving Leftovers Panini
Turkey, warm stuffing, cranberry sauce, and melted Muenster get pressed between buttered bread in a panini press until crisp. It manages to use three separate Thanksgiving leftovers in one sandwich.
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Photo credit: life-in-the-lofthouse.com
Soups That Use Up the Whole Bird
Turkey and Dumplings Soup
Shredded turkey simmers with vegetables in a rich broth, then fluffy buttermilk dumplings are spooned on top and steamed until tender. A true one pot meal that needs no bread or side dish.
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Photo credit: completelydelicious.com
Slow Cooker Turkey Barley Soup
Turkey broth made from the leftover carcass simmers all day with barley, shredded carrots, celery, and fresh herbs. A light, nourishing option for the day after all that rich holiday food.
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Photo credit: thefoodcharlatan.com
Turkey Chowder
Shredded turkey, diced potatoes, carrots, sweet corn, and mild chilies simmer in a broth thickened with a butter and flour roux, then finished with heavy cream. Hearty enough to be dinner on its own.
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Photo credit: sugarspunrun.com
Leftover Turkey Corn Chowder
Shredded turkey meets creamed corn, whole kernel corn, and diced vegetables in a quick simmering broth that's ready in about 30 minutes. A cozy, no fuss way to stretch leftovers into a whole new dinner.
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Photo credit: lecremedelacrumb.com
Turkey Noodle Soup
The turkey carcass gets simmered with aromatic vegetables to build a homemade broth, which is then loaded with sautéed veggies, diced turkey, and pasta. Classic comfort food that puts every last bit of the bird to use.
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Photo credit: dinneratthezoo.com
Turkey Pot Pie Soup
All the flavor of a turkey pot pie in soup form, with a creamy vegetable and turkey base topped with baked pie crust cutouts instead of a full crust. A fun twist for anyone who loved the pie but not the effort.
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Photo credit: foodiecrush.com
Casseroles and Bakes
Turkey and Stuffing Casserole
Seasoned stuffing forms the base of this casserole, topped with a creamy turkey and green bean filling and finished with crispy fried onions. It bundles several Thanksgiving sides into one main dish.
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Photo credit: tastesoflizzyt.com
Turkey Casserole
Cooked turkey and egg noodles get tossed in a creamy, cheesy sauce with vegetables, then baked until bubbly. A reliable, family friendly way to use up a big batch of leftovers at once.
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Photo credit: dinneratthezoo.com
Turkey Tetrazzini
Turkey, mushrooms, and peas get folded into spaghetti with a rich cream cheese and Parmesan sauce, then topped with buttered breadcrumbs and baked until golden. A creamy, old school casserole that always disappears fast.
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Photo credit: dinneratthezoo.com
Thanksgiving Leftovers Turkey Shepherd's Pie
Turkey, vegetables, and stuffing get layered together and topped with a colorful mash of regular and sweet potatoes, then baked until golden. Serve with extra gravy and cranberry sauce for round two of the holiday.
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Photo credit: culinaryginger.com
Pizza and Handhelds
Thanksgiving Pizza
Turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and gravy get layered onto a puff pastry base and baked until golden. It sounds unusual, but it captures the entire Thanksgiving plate in a single savory slice.
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Photo credit: thegunnysack.com
Turkey Bacon Ranch Pizza
A store bought crust gets spread with ranch dressing, then topped with mozzarella, turkey, bacon, spinach, red onion, and tomato before baking. A quick weeknight pizza ready in about 15 minutes.
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Photo credit: theblondcook.com
Turkey and Cranberry BBQ Sauce Pizza
Shredded turkey gets tossed in a homemade cranberry and barbecue sauce blend, then topped with cheese, red onion, and cilantro before baking. Sweet, smoky, and a genuinely creative use of extra cranberry sauce.
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Photo credit: reciperunner.com
Turkey, Cranberry, and Brie Crescent Braid
Crescent roll dough gets layered with turkey, cranberry sauce, and melted brie, then braided over the filling and baked until golden. An elegant looking appetizer or light meal that takes only about 20 minutes.
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Photo credit: spicysouthernkitchen.com
Global Flavors and Other Favorites
Thanksgiving Leftovers Turkey Nachos
Tortilla chips get layered with shredded turkey, melted cheese, fresh vegetables, and spicy toppings, then broiled until bubbly. A fun, unexpected way to turn Thanksgiving leftovers into game day style snacking.
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Photo credit: blessherheartyall.com
Turkey Enchiladas
Shredded turkey gets combined with black beans and cheese, rolled into tortillas, then baked in enchilada sauce until bubbly. A flavorful Mexican inspired main course that comes together in about 30 minutes.
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Photo credit: lecremedelacrumb.com
Turkey Thai Curry
Cooked turkey simmers with red curry paste, coconut milk, peppers, garlic, and ginger, then gets finished with lime juice and cilantro over rice. A fast, fragrant way to make your leftovers taste like a completely different meal.
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Photo credit: simplystacie.net
Turkey Salad
Diced turkey gets combined with celery, red onion, and parsley in a creamy mayonnaise based dressing. Serve it on crackers, tucked into lettuce wraps, or piled onto bread for an easy no cook lunch.
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Photo credit: dinneratthezoo.com
FAQ
How long is leftover turkey good for?
Three to four days in the fridge in an airtight container. Get the meat off the carcass and refrigerated within two hours of serving.
Can I freeze leftover turkey?
Yes, for up to three months. Freeze it in meal sized portions with a little broth or gravy so it does not dry out.
How do I stop leftover turkey tasting dry?
Reheat it in liquid rather than dry heat. Soups, casseroles and anything saucy all rescue meat that has already been cooked once.
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