Thanksgiving has come and gone and you have several containers full of shredded turkey in your fridge! In an effort not to let it go to waste this list of over 45 amazing and unique turkey recipes are here to help you solve the problem of what to do with leftover turkey!
This comprehensive list of really great leftover turkey recipes has a few recipes you would expect: turkey pot pie and turkey soups but there are so many amazingly creative uses too. Would you ever think to make egg rolls or ramen? What about air fryer turkey burgers or croquettes? This list gives you great answers to the question: What to make with leftover turkey?!
How to store leftover turkey?
First things first. How do you store leftover turkey so it tastes the best when you go to make one of these delicious recipes?
- Remove the turkey meat from the bones. It’s best to do this soon after the meal. Carve the rest of the turkey and either slice or shred all the meat. Carving the turkey when it’s warm is so much easier than if you try and do it the next day after it has sat in the fridge. If you plan on saving the bones for stock keep them in a separate container from the meat.
- Store in an airtight container. Freezer bags, glass or plastic containers are all great options as long as they can be air tight. If you are going to freeze the meat choose a plastic option instead of glass.
How long does turkey stay good in the fridge?
You can keep turkey in the fridge for 3-4 days. Any longer and you’ll want to make sure it smells, looks, and feels good before eating it. If you’re not going to make any of the recipes below in the 3-4 days after you cook the turkey you can freeze it! Or keep some in the fridge and freeze the rest.
How long does turkey stay good in the freezer?
You can enjoy your Thanksgiving turkey for 3 months in the freezer! This is such a great option if you’d rather not eat turkey constantly for the following week or if you more leftovers than you could possibly eat.
If you have a food saver or other type of vacuum sealer you can use that or just try and get all the air out of a freezer bag before you put the meat in the freezer. Just make sure the container you choose is air tight to prevent freezer burn.
If you are feeling super motivated you could even prep some of the recipes below and freeze the entire meal. However I think freezing just the meat and then pulling it out a few weeks or a month later and whipping up a new recipe is a great solution for Thanksgiving turkey leftovers!
Leftover Turkey Recipes
Over 45 recipes to use all that leftover Thanksgiving turkey!
Easy Turkey A La King : Leftover Turkey Recipe
This easy turkey a la king is going to be your new favorite recipe to make with leftover turkey. It’s also an easy weeknight dinner when made with deli turkey. I’ve got all the tips for how to make the best turkey a la king.
Broccoli, Turkey & White Cheddar Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Need a quick dinner idea, this broccoli, turkey and white cheddar grilled cheese sandwich is calling your name. Use leftover thanksgiving turkey to make a dinner in less than 10 minutes!
Turkey Chowder With Sweetcorn - A Great Way To Use Up Leftover Turkey!
Turkey and Sweetcorn Chowder is one great way to make the most of leftover turkey. Best of all it freezes well too!
Turkey Pot Pie
This turkey pot pie is so good that you will want to make a whole turkey just to have leftovers for this recipe!
Shepherd's Pie with Turkey or Chicken
Shepherd’s pie with leftover roasted turkey or baked chicken is classic comfort food for any family meal. This scrumptious casserole dinner is loaded with vegetables in a creamy white gravy topped with mashed potatoes and baked to perfection.
Leftover Turkey Instant Pot Ramen
This leftover turkey Instant Pot Ramen is the perfect way to use that leftover turkey, or just a way to make a healthier bowl of ramen. Fresh turkey bone broth, spicy chili sauce and cubes of Velveeta are what makes this cheesy turkey ramen the BEST EVER.
Low-Carb Leftover Turkey Casserole Recipe
This Leftover Turkey Casserole transforms your leftovers into pure comfort food.
Low-Carb Leftover Turkey (or Chicken) Avocado Salad
If you like guacamole, you’re going to love this leftover turkey avocado salad!
Leftover Air Fryer Turkey Burgers
Leftover Air Fryer Turkey Burgers. How to make turkey burgers in the air fryer from leftovers. A delicious healthy air fryer turkey burger that is easy to meal prep and tastes amazing.
Leftover Turkey Tetrazzini Casserole (Made From Scratch) | Crumb: A Food Blog
Turkey Tetrazzini Casserole turns your leftover turkey into a creamy pasta bake made with cooked spaghetti, mushrooms, and peas smothered in made-from-scratch Parmesan sauce. It's a classic for a reason!
Turkey & Stuffing Air Fryer Egg Rolls
Turkey and Stuffing Air Fryer Egg Rolls are the perfect way to use up Thanksgiving leftovers, but they also make an easy and unique weeknight meal!
Leftover turkey and wild rice soup
Take those Thanksgiving leftovers to the next level with this leftover turkey and wild rice soup with mushrooms, carrots and sage.
Turkey Kreplach Soup: here's what to do with leftover turkey!
Turkey Kreplach Soup (turkey soup with turkey dumplings) is one of the best things to do with leftover Thanksgiving turkey, and it’s easier than you think!
Ross’s Leftover Thanksgiving Sandwich
Ross’s Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Sandwich is the sandwich you need to make the day after thanksgiving! Starring Monica’s ‘Moist Maker,’ this sandwich is just delicious!
Award Winning Roasted Turkey & Black Currant Brie Bites
Make this unique and delicious easy turkey brie appetizer with leftover turkey. This crostini recipe only takes a few minutes to throw together.
Turkey Pasta Bake (delicious leftover turkey idea!)
This turkey pasta bake is such a great way to use leftover turkey. It's easy, super cheesy and so comforting! Always a favourite!
Leftover Turkey Risotto
Very quick and creamy leftover turkey risotto recipe using the rests from your Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner.
Leftover Turkey Soup
Leftover turkey soup is the ultimate recipe to use up that leftover turkey from Thanksgiving or Christmas. This delicious healthy turkey soup recipe is bursting with flavour!
Leftover Turkey Fried Rice Recipe
Change up boring old turkey leftovers with this Asian inspired dish! Won't taste like leftovers and everyone will love it!
Turkey Thai Curry
This Turkey Thai Curry is the perfect weeknight meal that is a delicious way for using up that leftover turkey. A 20-minute savory dinner dish that you can have ready to serve your family in a hurry.
Thanksgiving Pizza
This Thanksgiving Pizza recipe is the BEST way to eat Thanksgiving leftovers. It has turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing and more all in a puff pastry crust!
Leftover Turkey Quesadillas with Black Beans
Put that leftover turkey to good use and make these Turkey Quesadillas with Black Beans. A super quick and easy recipe, because no one wants to cook anything complicated the day after roasting a whole turkey!
Leftover Turkey Stir Fry
Quick and easy stir fry using leftover turkey, broccoli, bell pepper, onion, ginger, and garlic. This meal is perfect for using up leftover meat of any kind and makes for a nutritious meal.
Turkey Soup
This homemade Turkey Soup recipe is easy to make, healthy, and comforting! It’s made with vegetables and rice. A great way to use up leftover turkey!
Turketti {aka: Leftover Turkey Spaghetti Casserole}
Creamy spaghetti loaded with chopped leftover turkey and slathered with cheese, Turketti {aka: Leftover Turkey Spaghetti Casserole} is an easy, tasty way to enjoy those turkey leftovers. Not to mention, it's just got a fun name, don't you think?
(Leftover) Tex-Mex Chili Bean Turkey Pot Pie
Chili Bean Turkey Pot Pie is an easy-to-prepare dish that combines ingredients of two classics, chili beans and pot pie. It’s basically made with leftovers encased in buttery, flaky pie crust resulting in a bold dish full of comforting flavors.
Healthy Mole Verde Bowls
What to do with all that lovely leftover roasted turkey or a time-saving rotisserie chicken? Healthy Mole Verde Bowls are a flavorful, Mexican-inspired, and easy way to use that lean protein-rich turkey! Easy mole verde sauce combined with your chicken or turkey, quick black beans, and roasted root veggies is ready in 30 minutes +/- and may redefine your idea of "leftovers"...
Turkey Tortilla Soup
Turkey tortilla soup is a great way to feed a crowd and use up leftover turkey.
Baked Turkey Burrito Casserole
All the flavors of a turkey burrito in an easy to prepare casserole. This is a comforting family meal that will make everyone happy.
Turkey Slider
What better way to get the most out of your leftovers than by enjoying a delicious turkey slider? This is a sweet, savory and cheesy good sandwich that you want to eat over and over again.
Stuffed Crescent Ring ~ Leftover Turkey
A Turkey Stuffed Crescent Ring is a delicious and fun way to use up that leftover turkey. Not only can it help to get those pesky chunks of meat out of the way, but it does so in such a gorgeous fashion.
Turkey Salad {VIDEO}
It just doesn’t get any easier than this Turkey Salad for your Thanksgiving leftovers. This literally comes together in less than five minutes.
Turkey & Noodle Casserole
Quickly throw together a wholesome weeknight meal using up any leftover turkey you might have on hand. This turkey and noodle casserole is comforting, and a perfect way to transform that leftover turkey into a whole new meal. Tender pasta, a creamy sauce, juicy chicken, and mixed vegetables in every bite.
Leftover Turkey Stew with Butternut Squash
This hearty and flavorful Leftover Turkey Stew with Butternut Squash recipe is a great way to use turkey remaining after a holiday feast!
Thanksgiving Leftover Gameday Sliders
Thanksgiving is definitely a cooking holiday. So give yourself a break and use all those delicious dishes to create gameday sliders everyone can enjoy!
Air Fryer Turkey Croquettes Thanksgiving Christmas leftovers
You are going to want to make extra turkey and stuffing just to make these delicious Air Fryer Turkey Croquettes. Crunchy on the outside and moist and tender on the inside.
No Mayo Turkey Salad | THM S, Low Carb
Got leftover turkey? Make my easy low carb, no mayo turkey salad with it! It’s fresh take on standard turkey salad. A fresh lemon and thyme vinaigrette replaces the mayo for a light, refreshing twist.
One Pot Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe
One Pot Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe that transforms leftover turkey into a creamy, vegetable-filled, easy one-pot pasta recipe.
Leftover Turkey, Bacon, and Spinach Pie
Creamy turkey, bacon, and spinach pie is a family favourite served with lashings of fluffy mash potato and fresh greens
Creamy Turkey Pasta
A creamy turkey linguine with a spicy white wine sauce. This is a deliciously decadent way to use your leftover turkey.
Fragrant Moroccan Turkey Stew {Gluten-free, Meal Prep)
This spiced Turkey Stew is the perfect 20-minute meal to feed you on cold fall and winter nights. Leftover turkey, apricots, chickpeas, apple juice and spices combine into a fragrant comforting stew that friends and family alike would love.
Leftover Turkey Alfredo Skillet Meal
Leftover turkey alfredo skillet meal is the answer for your post-Thanksgiving leftovers. Turkey, bacon, peas, and penne pasta are coated in a creamy alfredo sauce. Made in a single pan and ready in 30 minutes.
Cheesy Turkey Enchiladas
Turkey enchiladas are a family friendly dinner recipe that’s easy to make, and packed with Mexican flavors. Use leftover turkey, beef or pork.
Mini Turkey Pot Pies with Puff Pastry » Big Flavors from a Tiny Kitchen
Puff pastry helps you make the most of your holiday leftovers with these easy bite-sized turkey pot pies. Perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter!
Turkey, Stuffing and Cranberry Sausage Rolls
Turkey, Stuffing and Cranberry Sausage Rolls are a great use of Thanksgiving & Christmas turkey leftovers all rolled up in flaky puff pastry.
Leftover Turkey Tacos
These leftover turkey tacos are spicy and delicious!
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