21 Recipes To Use Up Your Turkey Leftovers (2024)

21 Recipes To Use Up Your Turkey Leftovers (1)Turkey was recently .57/lb ( which is a great price here in Florida, even around Thanksgiving). But, the smallest size was 15 lbs. To put this in context, we are having a quiet dinner at home with just my mother visiting this Thanksgiving.

Our entire meal this year involves 3 grown adults and 2 children….and a 15 lb turkey.

Let’s be honest…there are going to be a LOT of turkey leftovers.

21 Recipes To Use Up Your Turkey Leftovers (2)

To avoid reheating the same plate of food over and over, I reached out to some friends in the blogosphere for some ideas on how to re-create our leftover turkey into different meals.

They came through with so many delicious turkey leftover recipes that I decided to share them all of you ( just in case you also face piles of Turkey for the forseeable future).

Feel free to scroll through and peruse, or use this mini table of contents to jump right to a specific section if you see a recipe that immediately flips your fancy:
Turkey And Stuffing Waffles
BBQ Turkey Lettuce Wraps
Moroccan Turkey Couscous Balls
Turkey Tacos with Cranberry Salsa
Turkey Spinach Lasagna Rolls
Instant Pot Mole With Turkey
Turkey Spinach Alfredo Pizza
Leftover Turkey Pot Pie
Tetrazzini Casserole
Leftover Turkey Casserole
Leftover Ham and Turkey Cheesy Rice Casserole
Kale and Butternut Squash Turkey Soup
Creamy Turkey and Wild Rice Soup
Leftover Turkey Stew
Leftover Turkey and Wild Rice Stew (With Almonds)
Turkey Salad with Pomegranate and Apple
Hot Turkey Sandwich
Southwest Turkey Wrap
Turkey Turnover
Leftover Turkey and Cranberry Sandwich
Leftover Turkey and Sweet Potato Ritzwitch sandwiches

Turkey and Stuffing Waffles

21 Recipes To Use Up Your Turkey Leftovers (3)If you’re like Mr. L, you can eat anything for breakfast. It kindof bugs me. I could never heat up a plate of spaghetti at 7:00 a.m. and chow down. But something about turning my turkey and stuffing leftovers into a waffle dish just sounds AMAZING. We have gotten a lot of use out of our inexpensiveOster Waffle Maker, and it looks like we will be breaking it out for another breakfast soon! This recipe from Allie at Sugar, Spice and Family Life would be so yummy for Black Friday brunch!

BBQ Turkey Lettuce Wraps

21 Recipes To Use Up Your Turkey Leftovers (4)Andi fromwww.wearychef.com shares a lighter way to enjoy turkey leftovers with these BBQ Turkey Lettuce Wraps. This gluten-friendly dish is light and healthy, and super simple to make!

Moroccan Turkey Couscous Balls

21 Recipes To Use Up Your Turkey Leftovers (5)Samantha and Dominic Milner at www.recipethis.com turn their leftovers into some exotic deliciousness. These Moroccan Turkey Couscous Balls make me want to buy an Air-Fryer TODAY! Maybe there will be a sale on Black Friday?

Not sure where to start when purchasing an Air-Fryer? Check out this thorough review post comparing 20 different air-fryers to help you make the right purchase!

Turkey Tacos with Cranberry Salsa

21 Recipes To Use Up Your Turkey Leftovers (6)These Turkey Tacos with Cranberry Salsa, created by Shannah of www.mysuburbankitchen.com may make me just want to skip Thursday and go straight to #tacotuesday. Just sayin’

Turkey and Spinach Lasagna Rolls:

21 Recipes To Use Up Your Turkey Leftovers (7)

When you just need a break from your leftovers, these Turkey Spinach Lasagna Rolls(also shared from Shannah atwww.mysuburbankitchen.com)are easy to make and freeze for a later meal.

Instant Pot Mole with Turkey

21 Recipes To Use Up Your Turkey Leftovers (8)

Sheryl over at www.thecentsableshoppin.com takes her leftover turkey to a whole new level with this Instant Pot Mole.

You know how the Moroccan Couscous made me feel about the Air-Fryer? I am getting all those feels again now about an Instant Pot. This looks absolutely amazing and would be awesome over rice and black beans with some tortillas.

Turkey Spinach Alfredo Pizza

21 Recipes To Use Up Your Turkey Leftovers (9)

With the help of Ragu Alfredo Sauce, this Turkey and Spinach Alfredo Pizza ( also shared by Jen fromwearychef.com)comes together so easily. It looks so delicious, I bet you may forget you are even eating leftovers!

Casseroles and Pies:

Leftover Turkey Pot Pie

21 Recipes To Use Up Your Turkey Leftovers (10)Nothing screams comfort food more than a classic pot pie! This recipe from JenniferBakes.com is the perfect way to create the classic dish with turkey leftovers!

Tetrazzini Casserole

21 Recipes To Use Up Your Turkey Leftovers (11)


My kiddos love noodles. So, if I am ever in doubt of what their finicky tastes may be feeling any given night, I know I can go to a noodle dish of some sort and be okay. I am confident that this tetrazzini casserole, shared by Alli from www.dancingthroughtherain.com would be a hit! I am excited to be adding it to my “leftover” repertoire.

Easy Leftover Turkey Casserole Recipe

21 Recipes To Use Up Your Turkey Leftovers (12)

This easy leftover Turkey casserole from Maya at www.wholesomeyum.com, is a low-carb, gluten friendly dish to use up your leftovers, plus it comes together in just about 10 minutes!

Ham and Turkey Cheesy Rice Casserole

21 Recipes To Use Up Your Turkey Leftovers (13)

The only way I can get my kids to eat broccoli is to practically drown it with cheese. The SavingSaavyCouple, Amy and Jared, must totally get that, because they shared this Cheesy Rice Casserole– which I know will be a hit in my house.

Using some Knorr Cheddar Broccoli Rice to kick-start the dish, it only takes 25 minutes to get on the table and is a great way to use up holiday leftover meat.

Soups:

Kale and Butternut Squash Turkey Soup

21 Recipes To Use Up Your Turkey Leftovers (14)

This amazing Kale, Butternut Squash and Turkey soup from Holly at TasteandSee.com just screamsFall. It will warm you up in the most delicious way on a cool evening!

Creamy Turkey and Wild Rice Soup

21 Recipes To Use Up Your Turkey Leftovers (15)

I adore cream-based soups! I love the richness and smoothness of soups that have a little bit of bulk to them. This Creamy Turkey and Wild Rice Soup from Ashlee atwww.ashleemarie.com looks absolutely amazing!

Leftover Turkey Stew

21 Recipes To Use Up Your Turkey Leftovers (16)

I absolutely have to include a slow-cooker recipe ( and I can’t boast enough about how much I love myprogrammable 6 qt. slow cooker)Lisa from www.lowcarbyum.com uses turnips and green beans to round out this delicious (and healthy)leftover turkey stew, that she creates in the slow-cooker for a simple ‘fix it and forget it’ hearty meal.

Leftover Turkey Wild Rice Soup (With Almonds)

21 Recipes To Use Up Your Turkey Leftovers (17)

I fully believe you cannot have too many turkey and wild rice soup recipes in one post. Maryea of HappyHealthyMom shares this delicious, rich recipe that using sherry wine, half and half and some slivered almonds for amazing texture and some crunch.

Sandwiches:

Turkey Salad with Pomegranate and Apple21 Recipes To Use Up Your Turkey Leftovers (18)

Amanda from www.myglutenfreemiami.com has an amazing recipe for Turkey salad using pomegranate and apples. She pairs it with gluten-free bread, which speaks to my soul since I am gluten-sensitive, as well. This would make the perfect lunchbox item for that Monday after Thanksgiving when work is beckoning.

Hot Turkey Sandwich

21 Recipes To Use Up Your Turkey Leftovers (19)

I can’t believe I never thought of just dousing turkey in gravy and putting it on a bun. Ann from www.annsentitledlife.com shares this tip/recipe and it sounds amazing, especially when you are already busy enough during the holiday season!

Southwest Turkey Wrap

21 Recipes To Use Up Your Turkey Leftovers (20)

If you are looking for a little zing for your leftovers, check out this delicious Southwest Turkey Wrap from www.thriftyjinxy.com

Turkey Turnovers

21 Recipes To Use Up Your Turkey Leftovers (21)

Yes. I am classifying a turnover as a sandwich. By golly, it’s my blog and I’ll call a turnover a sandwich if I want to! 😉 Seriously, though, this is another goody from Ann atwww.annsentitledlife.com . Using pre-made pie crusts and leftover turkey, these Turkey Turnovers are simple, delicious and can easily go into a lunchbox for a workplace meal.

Leftover Turkey and Cranberry Sandwich

21 Recipes To Use Up Your Turkey Leftovers (22)

Julia at SavoryTooth.com adds avocado to her turkey and cranberry sauce leftovers for an incredibly healthy and deliciousafter-Thanksgiving sandwich.

Turkey and Sweet Potato Ritzwitch

21 Recipes To Use Up Your Turkey Leftovers (23)

Turn your leftovers into a fun holiday ‘lunchable’ with these super cute Turkey and Sweet Potato Ritzwitch sandwiches from www.suburbia-unwrapped.com

There ya have it!

21 delicious turkey leftover recipes that will still keep your dinner-time unique…even if you have to eat turkey for a full two weeks after the holiday!

If you liked any of these turkey leftover recipes, would you mind leaving me a comment or giving this a quick Pinterest share? I would be super grateful!

Cheers!

21 Recipes To Use Up Your Turkey Leftovers (24)

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21 Recipes To Use Up Your Turkey Leftovers (2024)

FAQs

How long is leftover turkey good for in the refrigerator? ›

USDA recommends using cooked turkey within 3 to 4 days, kept refrigerated (40°F or less). Refrigeration slows but does not stop bacterial growth. Turkey can be frozen for 3 to 4 months. Although safe indefinitely, frozen leftovers can lose moisture and flavor when stored for longer times in the freezer.

How do you salvage over cooked turkey? ›

Warm with chicken stock.

After you slice the meat off the bird, place it in a shallow baking dish, cover it with chicken or turkey stock, then put it in a 250-degree oven for about 10 minutes.

How do you revive leftover turkey? ›

Simply heat your oven to 300 degrees, put the carved meat in a baking dish, and add some chicken broth or turkey stock to the pan. The meat will absorb some of the liquid as it heats, making it nice and juicy. Cover the pan tightly with foil and place it in the oven until the meat is hot, 20 to 30 minutes.

Is it safe to eat cooked turkey after 5 days? ›

Cooked turkey and other leftovers can be kept in the fridge safely for about three to four days, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and FoodSafety.gov say. But after that time, "the risk of food poisoning goes up," the Mayo Clinic notes, pointing to the growth of bacteria in refrigerated leftovers.

Is a 3 year old frozen turkey still good? ›

Frozen Turkey

Turkeys can be kept in the freezer indefinitely. However, cook turkeys within 1 year for the best quality.

Can you freeze leftover turkey? ›

How Long Can You Freeze Leftover Turkey? Leftover turkey freezes well for up to six months if properly handled, packed and frozen within three days of the original preparation. However, I like to try and use it within three months for best flavor and texture, and to avoid the possibility of freezer burn.

Why is my turkey breast chewy? ›

Or even worse burning the turkey. Undercooked turkey can contain harmful bacteria, posing a risk to food safety. On the other hand, if you overcook a turkey it's going to be too tough and chewy! The best way to avoid this is by taking out the turkey right before the thickest part reaches 165°F (74°C).

Why does leftover turkey taste gamey? ›

The flavor is variously described as "rancid," "stale," and like "cardboard," and even compared to "damp dog hair." Warmed-over flavor is caused by the oxidative decomposition of lipids (fatty substances) in the meat into chemicals (short-chain aldehydes or ketones) which have an unpleasant taste or odor.

How do you reheat turkey so it tastes good? ›

Place the turkey pieces in a baking dish and drizzle with a few tablespoons of stock and/or butter. Cover the dish with foil and heat in the oven at 350°F for about 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can microwave the sliced turkey (cover with a damp paper towel) in a microwave-safe dish at 50% power in 1-minute intervals.

How good are turkey leftovers good for? ›

How long do the turkey and trimmings stay safe in the refrigerator or freezer? The answer is simple: leftovers can be kept in the refrigerator for three to four days. This means you have until the Monday after Thanksgiving to eat all those delicious leftovers or place them in the freezer to enjoy later.

How to reheat leftover turkey without drying it out? ›

“The best way to reheat turkey is in the oven,” says chef Jose Garces. “Slice the turkey, place it in a shallow pan, add some chicken or turkey stock, and cover tightly with foil. Heat at 300 or 325 degrees until the turkey reaches 165 degrees. The stock should allow the turkey to steam without drying out.”

Can you reheat turkey twice? ›

How Many Times Can You Reheat Leftover Turkey? Technically, as long as the leftover turkey reaches 165°F every time, it should be safe to eat. But we don't advise reheating turkey more than once.

Is it safe to eat leftover turkey after 6 days? ›

The answer is simple: leftovers can be kept in the refrigerator for three to four days. This means you have until the Monday after Thanksgiving to eat all those delicious leftovers or place them in the freezer to enjoy later. If you store leftovers in the freezer, they will be of best quality within 2-6 months.

Is it OK if turkey was left in fridge for a week? ›

If properly stored, raw turkey can last in the fridge for 1–2 days, while cold cuts last up to 5 days. How long does cooked turkey last in the fridge? If you have leftovers that include cooked turkey, you can expect those to last in the refrigerator for 3–4 days.

Are leftovers good after 7 days? ›

Leftovers can be kept for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. After that, the risk of food poisoning goes up. If you don't think you'll be able to eat leftovers within four days, freeze them right away. Frozen leftovers will stay safe for a long time.

Is leftover turkey good for a week? ›

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends using cooked turkey within three to four days as long as it is kept refrigerated at a temperature that is 40°F or lower.

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