Feast your way through this collection of the best leftover turkey recipes. Created by fellow dietitians and food bloggers, they are filled with simple ingredients that will nourish body and soul this holiday season! From comfort food favorites to creative updates to classic recipes, you might discover your new favorite way to enjoy what’s left from your big feast!
This might not qualify as a “hot take” but I think leftovers deserve way more love than they get. They’re basically just a less glamorous version of meal prep. I grew up loving them, although I know not everyone feels the same way!
But when Thanksgiving dinner is over, you’re probably faced with a somewhat daunting task of figuring out whether you want to eat the same meal for the next three days in a row.
That’s where this list comes in! You’ll feel, dare I say, excited at the prospect of breathing new life into your leftovers. Plus, embracing a spruced up dish can help reduce food waste and save time and effort. There are so many delicious ways to enjoy whatever didn’t get eaten, so put those leftovers to good use!
Street Smart Nutrition Tip: You should only store leftover turkey in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Keep it at 40 degrees F or below to prevent bacterial growth, and when in doubt, throw it out! None of these leftover turkey recipes are worth a round of food borne illness.
What’s Included In This List
- Breakfast Recipes for the Next Day
- Leftover Turkey Sandwiches and Wraps
- Main Dishes with Leftover Turkey
- Baked Dishes and Turkey Casserole Recipes
- Leftover Turkey Soup Recipes
Breakfast Recipes for the Next Day
If you didn’t get your fill of turkey the night before, start the morning with one of these options! A savory hash or egg-topped breakfast sandwich will keep you energized and nourished for whatever your long weekend plans entail.
Turkey Hash
Use leftover turkey to make this easy turkey hash with bell peppers, onions, sweet potatoes & an egg on top. It’s a quick & easy breakfast hash your whole family will love.
Turkey and Egg Breakfast Sandwich
This Turkey and Egg Sandwich is an easy and creative way to use up that leftover roasted turkey. Made on rustic sourdough bread, this hearty breakfast sandwich is sure to leave you feeling satisfied until lunch.
Leftover Turkey Sandwiches and Wraps
The classic leftover turkey sandwich is a go-to option for good reason! It’s a great way to work through slices of leftover turkey. And I know it may not feel worth it to save that cranberry sauce or a little bit of gravy, but a smear of either one adds much needed moisture and great flavor.
Here are a few new recipes or unique ideas you may not have considered. Try these if you’re feeling bored with the same ol’ sandwiches!
Turkey Cranberry Sliders with Havarti Cheese
Turkey Cranberry Sliders turn leftover Thanksgiving turkey and cranberry sauce into a new meal! The sliders take just minutes to make.
Leftover Turkey Spring Rolls
5 from 24 votes
Packed with fresh veggies, each bite is filled with vibrant colors and crunch. Add these delicious turkey spring rolls to your post-holiday menu and master the rolling technique so you can enjoy again and again!
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Healthy Turkey Wrap with Grapes and Pecans
This turkey wrap is filled with delicious flavors like grapes, pecans and dried cranberries. It makes the perfect post-holiday lunch!
Turkey Cranberry Sliders with Maple Butter
Turkey, provolone cheese, maple butter, and cranberry sauce are piled on sweet Hawaiian rolls. They’re smeared with butter and everything bagel seasoning and baked until hot and gooey.
Turkey Pesto Sandwich
This recipe for turkey pesto sandwiches are easy to make with leftover turkey. Spread with a pesto mayo, mozzarella cheese, and roasted red pepper, you’ll continue this recipe long after Thanksgiving!
Canadian Hot Turkey Sandwich
This Canadian hot turkey sandwich with rich, meaty gravy, and green peas. Get a bigger holiday turkey just to have hot turkey sandwiches!
Leftover Turkey Quesadillas with Black Beans
Put that leftover turkey to good use and make these Leftover Turkey Quesadillas with Black Beans… because no one wants to cook anything complicated the day after Thanksgiving!
Leftover Turkey Salad Sandwiches
Take your Thanksgiving turkey leftovers to the next level with the best ever Turkey Salad! Only 5 ingredients and 5 minutes to make this sandwich.
Main Dishes with Leftover Turkey
Turn your Thanksgiving leftovers into an easy meal with one of these recipes. Some can be made in a single pot or pan, which means minimal extra dishes to clean! Try some simple sheet pan meals, pasta dinners, or one of these other creative leftover turkey recipes.
Leftover Turkey Fried Rice
4.87 from 22 votes
Leftover Turkey Fried Riceis inspired by a Chinese takeout favorite, but with an all-American twist. Use leftover Thanksgiving turkey to make a filling, delicious one-pan meal in less than 30 minutes!
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Turkey Tetrazzini
This turkey tetrazzini contains diced turkey, mushrooms and peas, all tossed with pasta in a creamy sauce, then baked to perfection.
Creamy Leftover Turkey Curry with Coconut Milk
This creamy leftover turkey curry with coconut milk is the easiest and tastiest recipe to make with your Thanksgiving turkey leftovers.
Hearty Leftover Turkey Enchiladas
Use your Thanksgiving leftover turkey to make these delicious turkey enchiladas! The perfect flavor-packed recipe to turn your Thanksgiving leftovers into a hearty meal!
Leftover Chicken Curry and Vegetables
Leftover Chicken Curry and Vegetables is a versatile dish that can clean out the ’fridge while making dinner a snap!
Leftover Turkey Stroganoff
Take your holiday leftovers to a new level with this Turkey Stroganoff recipe that combines tender turkey with a creamy mushroom sauce.
Pasta Carbonara with Leftover Turkey
Leftover Turkey Carbonara is full of parmesan cheese, bacon, and ready in 15 minutes!
Baked Dishes and Turkey Casserole Recipes
Transform your holiday leftovers into another hearty family dinner. These leftover turkey recipes can help you use leftover stuffing, leftover mashed potatoes, vegetables, and fresh herbs from the main meal. Plan to add some puff pastry to your shopping list ahead of time so you’ll be prepared!
Creamy Leftover Turkey Casserole Recipe
A creamy and cheesy, homemade recipe for turkey casserole. This leftover turkey casserole doesn’t need any canned soup, and it’s a huge crowd pleaser.
Easy Turkey Casserole
This turkey casserole is made with diced leftover turkey, egg noodles and vegetables, all tossed in a creamy sauce and baked to perfection.
Instant Pot Leftover Turkey Wild Rice Casserole
Let this leftover turkey wild rice casserole come to the rescue! Combine leftovers with wild rice to make this turkey casserole recipe.
Tater Tot Casserole with Turkey
Turkey tater tot casserole is a delicious one-pan meal the whole family will love, and you can easily make this recipe with leftover turkey!
Sumptuous Turkey Pie
Sumptuous Turkey Pie is the perfect pie for using up your leftover turkey, bacon and cream. With added leeks and mushrooms this puff pastry pie is off the scale good so hence the name!
Leftover Turkey Casserole
This easy leftover turkey casserole uses up green beans, cranberry sauce, and turkey. It makes the perfect leftover Thanksgiving casserole!
Turkey Turnovers with Cranberry Sauce
If you have leftover turkey from the holidays or another occasion these Turkey Turnovers with Cranberry Sauce using puff pastry.
Leftover Turkey Soup Recipes
Settle in for some good old fashioned comfort food with these turkey soup recipes. No matter which kind of turkey leftovers you have (white meat, dark meat, thick slices or tiny shreds), all of these work well when tossed into cozy soups and stews.
And don’t forget to saved the turkey bones, giblets, or other scraps from the turkey carcass to make a homemade turkey stock. This will earn youbonus points for cutting down on food waste!
Leftover Turkey Ramen Bowls
5 from 11 votes
Don't let your leftover turkey go to waste! Stretch those Thanksgiving leftovers with these simple ramen bowls. They're soothing, savory, and so satisfying, plus simple to customize so everyone can make a version they love.
View this recipe
Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Soup with Rice
This leftover turkey and wild rice soup is the perfect way to use up those turkey leftovers. It has a creamy base and is packed with tender turkey and veggies!
Creamy Mushroom Kale Turkey Soup
You can’t go wrong with this creamy mushroom kale turkey soup. It’s a delicious leftover turkey recipe to try.
Turkey Barley Soup
A delicious way to use up any leftover holiday turkey in this easy-to-make turkey barley soup. Full of turkey, pearl barley and veggies.
Instant Pot Turkey Rice Soup Recipe
This Instant Pot turkey rice soup is a simple hearty recipe for leftover turkey – bright, fresh, and loaded with vegetables!
Leftover Turkey Chili
Utilize that leftover holiday turkey in a hearty chili! Made with a deeply delicious blend of spices, thick tomato broth, beans, and tender shredded turkey.
Instant Pot Turkey Vegetable Soup
This delicious Instant Pot soup is the perfect way to use up shredded, cooked turkey. This turkey and vegetable soup is healthy and nourishing and ready in just about 30 minutes.
Homemade Turkey Stock
Learn how to make turkey stock using the leftover bones, carcass, neck, and giblets from your Thanksgiving turkey. Use it to make nourishing soups and stews or freeze it for later.
I hope this list convinces you that the best part of having a ton of extra food is that you can make so many delicious leftover recipes. I hope you found the perfect recipe to create a new vibrant dish from what’s in your fridge. Isn’t it nice to have so many options?
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Cheers to more fearlessly nourishing meals!
