47 Easy Leftover Turkey Recipes (that everyone actually wants to eat)
A ton of delicious uses for leftover turkey! These easy leftover turkey recipes will transform your holiday leftovers into tasty casseroles, soups, pasta dishes, and so much more.
I know. Eating turkey for days on end after a holiday loses its appeal real fast.
But what if you could repurpose that leftover Thanksgiving dinner or Christmas turkey into something completely different?
There are actually a ton of delicious ways to use leftover turkey meat, and they taste nothing like the original version!
You can take your pulled turkey leftovers, and whip up a meal full of great flavor that your family or houseguests will love.
They will be SO impressed by your ingenuity, and perhaps not even realize that they’re eating leftovers!
Plus, the great thing is that you’ll reduce food waste (and save on your grocery bill) when you transform your leftovers into several other meals.
Pro-tip: Don’t have enough leftover roast turkey? Stretch it up mixing in a shredded rotisserie chicken!
Okay, ready for some delicious leftover ideas?
Let’s dive in!
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What can I make with leftover turkey?
1. Turkey Waffles with Maple and Bacon
If fried chicken and waffles is one of your favorite breakfasts, then you are going to love these turkey waffles!
This is one of those really creative ways to repurpose those yummy leftovers.
Who knew you could turn them into breakfast?!
2. Leftover Turkey Mushroom Meatballs
This recipe really couldn’t be any easier.
You’ll just take a bunch of your leftover turkey and other Thanksgiving side dishes, and make healthy and delicious turkey mushroom meatballs!
3. Easy and Quick Turkey Pot Pie
This turkey pot pie is delicious, savoury, and creamy!
It might be the best leftover turkey recipe because it looks so beautiful and impressive!
Perfect for a fancy dinner party but it’s also very easy for a quick weeknight dinner.
4. Turkey Calzones
These low carb turkey calzones make a great meal with leftover roasted turkey and are actually gluten free!
Such a new way to think of a calzone.
5. Turkey Cranberry Sliders
These turkey sliders are not only a great leftover turkey recipe but also a leftover cranberry sauce recipe.
Just look at all those delicious flavors coming together in this slider.
Definitely not your traditional turkey sandwiches!
Related: 23 BEST Side Dishes for Sandwiches
6. Turkey Potato Cakes
Comfort food heaven… and from leftovers too!
These crispy potato and turkey cakes may be even better than the meal that preceded them.
7. Turkey Curry
Reinvent and repurpose your turkey into a completely different flavor profile with this turkey curry.
It’s tangy, a little sweet and spicy, and is a really easy one pan meal.
8. Leftover Turkey Nachos
Tortilla chips topped with turkey carnitas, cranberry sauce salsa, brussel sprouts and lots of cheese.
Turkey nachos are so fun and different!
9. Ultimate Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Sandwich
This leftover turkey sandwich is the EASIEST way to transform your Thanksgiving leftovers into a hearty, scrumptious breakfast/brunch sandwich recipe the next day.
10. Turkey Salad
Take your leftover Thanksgiving turkey to the next level with this best ever turkey salad!
With just 5 ingredients, this simple sandwich spread is going to make you look forward to the leftovers!
11. Creamed Turkey Over Biscuits
Creamed turkey comes together super easily, and you probably already have everything you need to make this right now in your pantry and fridge.
It’s pure comfort food on a cold day.
12. Two-ingredient Baked Turkey Croquettes
Super easy baked turkey croquettes are a genius way to use up your Thanksgiving leftovers.
This recipe calls for stuffing and turkey…rolled in breadcrumbs and baked to a crispy perfection.
You can even freeze them for busy weeknight dinners during the holiday season!
13. Cranberry Turkey Enchiladas
Cran-turkey enchiladas are such fun and delicious twist on traditional enchiladas!
Sometimes it’s the weirdest combinations that taste the best.
14. Turkey Wild Rice Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms
Giant mushroom caps are filled with a flavorful, lightly creamy mixture of wild rice and turkey.
These stuffed mushrooms look like beautiful holiday appetizers, and are as tasty as they are lovely.
15. Easy Leftover Turkey Egg Rolls
In this tasty turkey egg roll recipe, leftover turkey is combined with crunchy cabbage and carrots in a tasty hand-held treat your family will love!
You could cut them up and serve as appetizers, or they also make a delicious side dish.
16. Turkey Monte Cristo Sandwich
Ham, turkey, and cheese between two slices of bread, dipped in a sweet batter, then deep fried?!
And served with jam? Yes please.
Turkey monte cristo sandwiches are just as amazing as they sound.
17. BBQ Leftover Turkey Pizza
BBQ turkey pizza is SUCH an easy way to repurpose leftover turkey.
It’s truly the perfect meal to make when you’re tired after the holiday.
I bet no one will even realize that they’re eating leftovers!
18. Turkey Cranberry Crescent Braid
This turkey cranberry crescent braid recipe is made super easy with refrigerated seamless dough from the grocery store.
Simply put a few ingredients onto the crescent roll dough, braid it up, and pop it into the oven.
19. Turkey Crunchwrap Supreme
Want to do something a little crazy with your holiday leftovers?
Try making this copycat Taco Bell crunchwrap supreme, with turkey!
20. Slow Cooker Turkey Marsala
Slow cooker turkey marsala makes a festive holiday-themed alternative to chicken marsala.
Turkey breast gets slow cooked in the crockpot until tender and bathed in a rich and velvety marsala sauce.
The beauty is that it cooks itself while you’re busy resting, shopping, or decorating.
21. Thanksgiving Pizza
This unique Thanksgiving pizza has all the holiday flavors – turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and more!
Not your traditional pizza, but it might just become a new family favorite.
22. Turkey Poutine
Instead of a turkey sandwich, serve your leftover turkey, gravy and cranberry sauce over crispy sweet potato fries and melty cheese curds to make turkey poutine.
It’s such a unique and delicious recipe, and perfect if you have unused leftover sweet potatoes in your pantry.
23. Leftover Turkey Tacos
Add your favorite leftovers to the mix, and let the Thanksgiving flavors blend as you enjoy them wrapped up in a tortilla.
Turkey tacos are such a quick and easy recipe!
24. Turkey Reuben
A turkey reuben, also known as a “Rachel” is a delicious sandwich made with cooked turkey and sauerkraut and cookied like a grilled cheese.
It assembles in minutes and tastes amazing!
Pasta Dishes and Leftover Turkey Casserole Ideas
25. Leftover Christmas Pasta Bake
If you are bored of making a Christmas leftovers sandwich every year, then why not give this Christmas pasta bake a try.
Leftover meat, vegetables and cheese can all be added, so nothing goes to waste.
It freezes well too, so you don’t have to eat it straight away.
26. Leftover Turkey Pasta Skillet
Skillet turkey pasta is the perfect pasta dish to make with your leftover turkey.
Just add your favorite veggies and some cut up leftover turkey and lunch or dinner is served.
27. Thanksgiving Leftovers Casserole
This Thanksgiving leftovers casserole is a great way to use everything up in a layered casserole dish full of comfort food.
It seriously doesn’t get any easier!
28. Keto Turkey Casserole
This creamy casserole recipe is filled with juicy leftover turkey breast, vegetables, a keto white sauce and cheese.
Keto turkey casserole is sort of like a crustless turkey pot pie.
29. Turkey and Stuffing Casserole
This creamy turkey and stuffing casserole with green beans has all the flavors of Thanksgiving in one simple recipe.
30. Turkey Noodle Casserole
Turkey noodle casserole is a quick and easy dish made from Thanksgiving or Christmas leftovers.
With a few pantry staples like cream of chicken soup and pasta, and a couple basic refrigerated items like milk, sour cream, and parmesan cheese, this dish is always a crowd pleaser!
31. Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe
Turkey tetrazzini is a wonderfully creamy casserole perfect for using that leftover Thanksgiving turkey.
It’s delicious pasta baked in homemade creamy sauce, with mushrooms, peas, Parmesan and diced turkey or even leftover chicken.
32. Leftover Turkey Pasta Salad
You know when a bunch of ingredients come together and just WORK?
That’s what happens here with this recipe.
The combo of sweet and spicy flavor from the dressing, along with a few fresh ingredients, make this turkey pasta salad simply irresistible.
Read Next: 15 Unique Pasta Salads with Meat You’ll Make Over and Over
33. Turkey Spaghetti Casserole
Creamy spaghetti loaded with chopped leftover turkey and slathered with cheese, this Turketti {aka: leftover turkey spaghetti casserole} is sure to receive rave reviews at your house.
You can even prep it in advance and use it as a freezer meal for a future busy weeknight.
34. Turkey, Bacon, and Brussel Sprout Mac and Cheese
Keep it simple and delicious with this leftover turkey, bacon and brussels sprouts macaroni cheese.
Yes, those things are actually amazing together!
35. Turkey and Mashed Potatoes Casserole
Using just a few ingredients (that you probably already have) and a couple quick steps, enjoy this turkey and mashed potato casserole while you’re relaxing after the holiday.
Or recovering from Black Friday shopping…
36. Holiday Leftover Strata
This Thanksgiving leftover strata transforms all your leftovers into a layered casserole that’s chock-full of flavor.
With pockets of gooey cheese, crispy bacon, juicy turkey, sweet and tart cranberry sauce, all topped with crunchy croutons and a drizzle of cheesy turkey gravy, watch everyone go back for seconds.
37. Turkey Ragu
Turkey ragu can be served with pasta, potatoes or rice.
And you can even freeze it for when you want an easy meal next month!
Turkey Soups & Stews
38. Turkey Ramen
This turkey ramen is the ultimate leftover turkey soup!
The turkey is poached in a delicious and easy stock, which with a few additions turns into the wonderful broth for this simple homemade ramen.
A great alternative to chicken ramen and just perfect for holiday turkeys.
39. Instant Pot Turkey Chili
Chili isn’t just for ground beef anymore!
This Instant Pot turkey chili is just the stuff to warm you up this winter season.
Packed with spicy Andouille sausage, chunks of juicy turkey, corn, green chilies and Fritos, this easy leftover turkey chili is the perfect way to use up that leftover turkey!
40. Turkey and Dumplings Soup
A perfect way transform that dry leftover turkey, this turkey and dumplings soup has these amazing crispy stuffing dumplings made from leftover stuffing.
A deep, rich turkey or chicken broth with chunks of roasted turkey and crispy baked balls of stuffing is all you need to keep warm and snuggly.
41. Turkey Corn Chowder
This leftover turkey chowder is a perfect example of just how you can use leftovers to make another delicious and nutritious meal in no time.
It takes just 30 minutes to prepare and cook!
42. Turkey Noodle Soup
Turkey noodle soup is a delicious way to use up a bunch of what you already had on hand from the holiday.
Veggies, egg noodles, and turkey broth get transformed into a tasty light lunch or dinner.
43. Creamy Turkey Soup with Spinach
Whip up a pot of creamy turkey soup with spinach with your turkey leftovers.
It’s one rich, hearty, flavor-loaded soup … and so much “more” than a basic turkey sandwich.
44. Turkey and Lentil Soup
Turkey and lentil soup can be made with either ground turkey or holiday leftovers.
Easy, delicious, healthy and packed with protein. And cooks in 30 minutes!
45. Turkey Tortilla Soup
This turkey tortilla soup is a must for the after holiday menu.
It has black beans, corn, and roasted chili peppers, plus the bonus crunchy tortilla strip toppings!
46. Creamy Turkey Wild Rice Soup
Creamy leftover turkey wild rice soup recipe is a hearty, satisfying soup that is full of carrots, mushrooms, celery and onion in a light, creamy broth.
It’s an easy, comforting classic that’s perfect for chilly days.
47. Turkey Gumbo
Sometimes you really need to mix things up with some creative, easy ideas for turkeys after the holidays.
This turkey gumbo is a great way to completely change the flavor profile.
And you can even substitute shredded chicken and chicken stock to make it any time of year.
FAQ:
How long is leftover turkey good for in the fridge?
Turkey is generally good for at least 3-4 days in the refrigerator. That should give you plenty of time to whip up some of these easy recipes.
Can you freeze leftover turkey?
Yes, you can TOTALLY freeze leftover turkey. In fact, that’s a great way to stretch it further.
Turkey stays good in the freezer for 3 months. Or a whole lot more if you use a Foodsaver.
(You can learn exactly how to use a Foodsaver to save tons of money here.)
If you’re sick of cooking post-holiday, just pop your leftovers into the freezer. Then you can pull it out to create these recipes over the next few months.
How do you store leftover turkey?
Store your leftover turkey in zipper-style bags, or your favorite storage containers with tight-fitting lids.
Ready to try some creative leftover turkey recipes?
I hope this list of easy leftover turkey recipes has your mouth watering.
Not to mention give you an easy way to create a post-holiday meal plan.
There are so many different ways to turn a big meal into several little ones.
The hardest part is just deciding which new recipe to make first!
What are your favorite leftover turkey recipes?
A ton of delicious uses for leftover turkey! These easy leftover turkey recipes will transform your holiday leftovers into tasty casseroles, soups, pasta dishes, and so much more.47 Easy Leftover Turkey Recipes (that everyone actually wants to eat)
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