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Turn leftover turkey into something different! Here are over 30 Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey recipes that are anything but boring. From super sandwiches to cozy casseroles, that turkey is going far!
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With this delicious list of leftover Thanksgiving turkey recipes, you’ll never have to worry about using up that holiday bird! Turkey is such a versatile bird. It takes on so many flavors and seasonings. Adding juicy turkey meat to sandwiches, soups, casseroles, and pasta not only uses up leftovers, it can also take a recipe to the next level! If you made my Thanksgiving turkey or dry brined turkey breast and you’re loaded with lots of turkey meat, make sure you bookmark this collection of easy leftover turkey recipes.
Why You Should Cook More Leftover Turkey Recipes
- Helps you reduce food waste. Repurposing your leftover Thanksgiving turkey minimizes food waste and is a cost-effective way to create additional meals without needing more groceries.
- Saves you time. Because turkey naturally pairs well with other traditional seasonal foods like cranberry sauce, stuffing, and mashed potatoes – you can really maximize that initial investment in time and whip up any of these Thanksgiving leftover turkey recipes in no time.
- It allows you to get creative. Experimenting with leftover turkey allows you to flex your creativity and think outside the box, trying new flavor combinations and cooking techniques.
- Make family-friendly meals. These simple leftover turkey recipes are very kid-friendly and can be enjoyed by people of all ages. There’s something for everyone – from quesadillas to pasta bakes to hearty soups. You can be sure you’ll find something that your whole family can enjoy!
Tips for Using Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey
- Be sure to carve the remaining turkey before storing it. You may not have room in the fridge for a whole turkey, especially with the other leftovers. So carve the turkey before you store it. It’s also easier to carve at room temperature than after refrigerating.
- Sprinkle on fresh herbs to liven up your bird. Sprinkle the tops of casseroles, pasta, and soups with turkey-friendly herbs like sage, basil, or fresh parsley.
- Don’t keep leftover turkey meat longer than 4 days in the fridge. You can always freeze leftovers, just in case you get turkey overload!
- Keep things festive with holiday garnishes. Tis the season for cranberry, walnuts, and all those classic winter garnishes. Top your turkey salads with walnuts, toasted pecans, roasted pumpkin seeds, and use up that cranberry sauce in turkey sandwiches.
- Don’t forget the sides. Whatever sides, sauces, and toppings you use for your Thanksgiving, use them for the leftovers, too! But if you’re running low, you can quickly roast butternut squash halves, roasted acorn squash, or Instant Pot spaghetti squash.
Best Leftover Turkey Recipes
Enjoy the seasonal flavors of Thanksgiving dinner long after the guests leave by transforming leftovers into flavorful meals.
Leftover Turkey Ideas for Small Bites
These appetizers are easy to prepare, and Thanksgiving leftover turkey is an excellent starter to the rest of the meal or just as a midday snack.
Thanksgiving Leftover Stuffed Egg Rolls
Turkey Bites
Turkey Cranberry Puff Pastry Bites
Leftover Turkey Cranberry Melts
Leftover Turkey Taquitos
Thanksgiving Quesadilla (Turkey Quesadilla) Recipe – The Cookie Rookie®
Simple Leftover Turkey Recipes for Lunch
Quick to prepare and full of flavor, these recipes will keep your lunches exciting, flavorful, and satisfying.
Turkey Salad Sandwich
Turkey Panini
Leftover Turkey Pot Pie Empanadas
Leftover Turkey Wraps with Cranberry Sauce – My Gorgeous Recipes
Leftover Thanksgiving Sliders
Turkey Cobb Salad
Thanksgiving Leftovers Everything Bagel Breakfast Sandwich – Spices in My DNA
Easy Leftover Turkey Soup Recipes
Repurposing turkey meat in soups and chilis is so easy, and it’s a fantastic way to create hearty, satisfying meals while avoiding food waste.
Turkey Rice Soup
Turkey Noodle Soup
Slow Cooker Turkey Soup
Healthy Leftover Turkey Soup with Black Beans + Corn – Bowl of Delicious
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Got Leftover Turkey Meat? Make Chili!
Easy Turkey Noodle Soup
Turkey Pot Pie Soup | foodiecrush.com
Hearty Casseroles with Leftover Turkey
These easy leftover turkey casserole recipes are satisfying, easy to make, and so good!
Turkey Shepherd’s Pie | The Modern Proper
Turkey Casserole
Leftover Turkey Casserole
Turkey Enchiladas
Turkey Spaghetti Bake
Leftover Turkey Recipes for Dinner
Looking for turkey leftover ideas that you can serve for dinner? I have you covered with these delicious options. They are simple (thanks to that….you guessed it… leftover turkey!) but pack in so much flavor in every bite.
Best Leftover Turkey Tacos
Leftover Skillet Turkey Pasta
15 Minute Leftover Turkey Alfredo
Leftover Turkey Pesto Pasta – Becky’s Best Bites
Leftover Turkey in Gravy
Creamy Leftover Turkey Pasta
How to Store Leftover Turkey Recipes
- Follow the recipe storage instructions. Most recipes will have suggestions for how to store the dish properly and for how long. It’s important that you follow those recommendations.
- Store different components separately. Keep the turkey meat separate from other components such as leafy greens, stuffing, or gravy to help preserve the individual textures and flavors.
- Avoid refreezing. Once you’ve thawed and reheated frozen turkey, it’s best not to refreeze it again as that will affect the texture and taste of the leftovers. If possible, freeze in smaller portions to avoid the need to thaw the whole dish.
- Portion control. Divide the larger quantities of leftovers into smaller, meal-sized portions before storing. This will help to cool the dish faster and allow you to reheat only what you need. It also makes meal prep easy.
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s best to consume leftover turkey within 3-4 days to ensure food safety and avoid the risk of bacterial overgrowth. If you don’t think you’ll finish turkey within that time frame, I recommend you transfer it to air-tight container that is freezer safe, removing as much air as possible to avoid freezer burn and freeze for up to 3 months.
No, I recommend you avoid reheating any leftovers, including turkey meat, multiple times to minimize the risk of contamination. Reheat only the amount needed for each serving.
It’s safer to thaw frozen leftovers in the refrigerator overnight or use the microwave for quicker thawing. But thawing food at room temperature, especially if it includes meat, may lead to bacterial growth.
I hope this collection of tasty turkey leftover ideas inspires you to make the most of this seasonal bird. From turkey sandwiches to the comforting warmth of dinner casseroles, these recipes not only reduce food waste but also offer delicious creativity to your post-holiday meals.
Check out the picture cards for all the recipes listed above. You can click on any of the recipes cards to take you directly to those recipes.
For more similar roundup of recipes, be sure to check out: Leftover Mashed Potatoes Recipes, Fall Recipes, Recipes that are Great for Leftovers, and Pumpkin Recipes.
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