40 Leftover Turkey Recipes - Kitchen Girl (2024)

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40 Leftover Turkey Recipes helps you figure out what to do with leftover roast turkey or air fried turkey after your Thanksgiving or Christmas feast is over?

40 Leftover Turkey Recipes - Kitchen Girl (1)

We're featuring 40 easy leftover turkey recipes from our food blogging friends so you can put your leftovers to work for you. The recipes include casseroles, soups, sandwiches, sides, and salads. Some are traditional and some are creative, so there's something for everyone in this post-holiday recipe collection.

How to store leftover turkey

These are the most common ways we use to store leftover turkey (or cooked chicken) in the refrigerator and freezer:

  1. My favorite airtight containers
    • refrigerate up to 5 days
    • freeze up to 3 months
  2. Silicone storage bags or zip-top freezer bags
    • refrigerate up to 5 days
    • freeze up to 1 month
  3. Plastic deli rounds or containers
    • refrigerate up to 5 days
    • freeze up to 1 month
  4. Vacuum-sealed storage bags
    • freeze up to 3 months

I find that these airtight containers and vacuum-sealer methods keep my food fresh to the fullest extent. The only downside is that the glass containers are heavier than the other options and they cost more up front. But, because they tend to outlast the other options, it offsets the cost. A vacuum sealer also for itself over time with food that can be frozen.

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Tips for using leftover turkey in recipes

Don't use overcooked turkey for these turkey recipes. Once turkey is overcooked, it will never make a tasty comeback, even after smothering it with the most delicious gravy or hiding it in a casserole.

Assuming you are left with a big stash of perfectly cooked turkey, check out these tips that you'll need if you're repurposing it.

Timing is EVERYTHING: If I'm not planning to freeze cooked turkey meat for later use, I'm nothing short of OCD about getting it into a recipe ASAP.

The reason for this...cooked turkey is perishable and needs to be eaten anywhere from 3-6 days from the day it was first cooked. This means I need to get the leftover turkey into the casserole, or soup, or whatever I'm making within 2 days, preferably 1 day, and then eat that item within another 2 days.

Substitute rotisserie chicken: You can easily swap storebought rotisserie chicken for cooked turkey in every one of these leftover turkey recipes.

40 Leftover Turkey Recipes: What To Do With Leftover Turkey

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Turkey Salad Recipe

Use your leftover roast turkey to make the best turkey salad. The combination of juicy turkey, dried cranberries, walnuts, celery, and creamy dressing make an irresistible combination. Scoop it over salad greens or pile it up to make the best sandwich!

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Turkey Stock or Broth

How to make turkey stock with leftover turkey bones, vegetables, and herbs. This savory "liquid gold" can be used as turkey broth for soup, gravy, or any recipes requiring turkey stock or broth.

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Chicken Shepherd's Pie

Use your leftover turkey for this scrumptious comfort casserole. It's made with loads of veggies, juicy meat leftover from holiday dinner, and creamy mashed potato topping.

This easy Leftover Turkey Curry recipe is simple, delicious and the perfect way to use up leftover turkey. This fuss-free British curry uses no special ingredients and can be on the table in less than half an hour. Adaptable and easy to pack with vegetables for a healthy boost.

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Photo Credit:www.ketocookingwins.com

Mexican Turkey Soup Recipe

This Mexican Turkey Soup Recipe is a genius use of leftover turkey, and with big, bold, and bright flavors, you can double it and freeze some for later!

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Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

Chicken broccoli rice casserole is a tasty one-pot stove-top dinner made with lean chicken breast, fresh broccoli, and no soup! It's quick, easy, a little cheesy, and great for weeknights.

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Photo Credit:thefeatherednester.com

Tater Tot Turkey Casserole

Turkey tater tot casserole is a delicious one-pan meal you can make with leftover turkey and everyone's beloved tater tots. Make this recipe and watch those turkey leftovers disappear!

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Photo Credit:www.fromachefskitchen.com

Slow Cooker Southwestern Turkey Stew

Use your leftover turkey for the most delicious turkey stew. It's slow-cooked and loaded with butternut squash, black beans, and so much Southwest flavor!

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Photo Credit:www.queensleeappetit.com

Cranberry BBQ Turkey Pizza ~ Recipe

Cranberry BBQ Turkey Pizza — Thick homemade pizza crust topped with sweet homemade cranberry bbq sauce, roasted turkey, red onions, bacon, cilantro and two different cheeses! This is the perfect use for all that leftover Thanksgiving turkey!

Warm and cheesy turkey sliders made from leftover turkey meat. They’re bursting with flavor and so easy to make to feed a crowd!

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Photo Credit:www.fabfood4all.co.uk

Sumptuous Turkey Pie

This Sumptuous Turkey Pie will use up your leftover turkey, Bacon and cream. Added to those are leeks, mushrooms and puff pastry, pies don't get better than this!

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Photo Credit:www.beyondthechickencoop.com

Turkey Tortilla Soup

Turkey tortilla soup is a delicious soup made with leftover turkey, black beans and corn.

Skillet Turkey Pot Pie with Buttermilk Biscuits is an easy, one-pot dinner to use up rotisserie chicken or turkey leftovers. Bake up fresh whole wheat buttermilk biscuits while the creamy turkey pot pie filling simmers on the stove.

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Photo Credit:stripedspatula.com

Creamy Turkey Tetrazzini

This Turkey Tetrazzini with a rich Parmesan cream sauce is an easy way to turn leftover turkey into a cozy comfort food dinner.

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Photo Credit:thetoastykitchen.com

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.

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Photo Credit:www.earthfoodandfire.com

Leftover Turkey & Wild Rice Soup

The easiest way to use up leftover turkey meat, this simple soup is hearty, healthy, and best of all delicious!

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Photo Credit:www.carolinescooking.com

Thai red curry (perfect for leftovers)

This delicious Thai red curry is made with a quick homemade paste from scratch for a fantastic bold flavor. Plus it’s a great way to use leftover meat.

Made in one pot using leftover turkey, this turkey pasta bake is easy, cheesy and delicious.

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Pesto Chicken Gnocchi Soup

ThisPesto Chicken Gnocchi Soupis made with rotisserie chicken or leftover turkey, pesto, gnocchi, fresh spinach, and chicken broth. It relies on prepared ingredients and requires minimal cooking skills. Add this soup to your collection of rotisserie chicken recipes for easy weeknight dinners!

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Photo Credit:www.therusticfoodie.com

Turkey Stew

This Turkey Stew recipe is made from scratch with potatoes and vegetables. It’s hearty and a great way to use up leftover turkey. Rustic and comforting!

A simple and easy to whip up Leftover Turkey Stew that’s done in a slow cooker! It’s low carb and gluten-free.

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Photo Credit:anitalianinmykitchen.com

Leftover Turkey Pot Pie

This homemade Turkey Pot Pie can even be made with leftover turkey or chicken. A creamy delicious filling topped with puff pastry. Pot Pie never tasted so good!

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Photo Credit:www.babaganosh.org

Leftover Turkey Quesadillas with Black Beans

Put that leftover turkey to good use and make these Leftover Turkey Quesadillas with Black Beans. If you've never added black beans to a quesadilla, you've GOT to try this recipe, it's so good!

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Photo Credit:cheesecurdinparadise.com

Cheesy Broccoli, Turkey, and Rice Casserole

Cheesy Broccoli, Turkey, and Rice Casserole is a simple way to use holiday leftovers! Creamy and rich this casserole is packed with fresh broccoli, chopped turkey, and brown rice. A new post-holiday family favorite!

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Photo Credit:www.healthy-delicious.com

Cajun Turkey Casserole (Low Carb + Gluten-Free)

Low carb turkey casserole, made with cauliflower rice, green beans, and cheddar cheese can be on the table in under 45 minutes. It’s the PERFECT way to use up your leftover holiday, but you can easily make it with rotisserie chicken any time of year.

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Basil Chicken Tetrazzini is a scrumptious, veggie loaded entree that puts your leftover chicken or turkey to good use. This entree is gluten-free and utterly delicious!

Sweet potatoes combined with savory turkey and cheese in a delicious orzo pasta dish. A wonderfully delicious way to use that leftover turkey

This creamy one-pot orzo pasta recipe is great for using up leftover Thanksgiving/ Christmas turkey. It is quick, easy, delicious AND slimming friendly too!

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Photo Credit:foodmeanderings.com

Weight Watchers Turkey Reuben Sandwich

This Turkey Reuben Panini is Weight Watchers friendly at only 6 WW freestyle smart points (blue plan) and can be made with leftover turkey or deli turkey meat

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Photo Credit:simplysohealthy.com

Low-Carb Leftover Turkey Casserole Recipe

This recipe for Leftover Turkey Casserole transforms turkey into pure comfort food!

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Photo Credit:www.simplystacie.net

Turkey Thai Curry

Turkey Thai Curry - A brilliant way to use up your Christmas leftovers! Get dinner on the table in less than 20 minutes.

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Photo Credit:blessherheartyall.com

Thanksgiving Leftovers Turkey Nachos

Thanksgiving leftovers are so quick and easy to put together and serve while watching all those football games and during all of the family activities this Thanksgiving weekend. These turkey nachos turn your leftover turkey stash into a cheesy, crunchy, spicy, gluten-free party food that will be scooped up in seconds!

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Photo Credit:www.foodabovegold.com

Leftover Turkey Skillet Pot Pie

This slightly creamy leftover turkey pot pie recipe is made in a cast iron pan to keep things simple. Bursting with gourmet flavors and crisp vegetables, this pot pie recipe is ultimate comfort food.

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Photo Credit:www.sprinklesandsprouts.com

Turkey Ramen - Using Leftovers

If you are searching for what to do with thanksgiving leftovers then search no further, 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. You can up the chili and make it spicy and even use two minute instant noodles. A great alternative to chicken ramen and just perfect for holiday leftovers.

Turkey and dumplings is the perfect winter supper and the perfect use for leftover turkey. We tested and tested to find the best dumplings ever! 1 hour weeknight simple recipe for a warm cozy dinner.

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Photo Credit:www.goodlifeeats.com

Green Chile Turkey Tetrazzini

Green Chile Turkey Tetrazzini takes this traditional turkey leftover recipe to the next level. This turkey casserole is loaded with flavor thanks to the addition of green chiles, poblano peppers, and spicy pepper jack cheese.

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Photo Credit:www.savorynothings.com

Instant Pot Turkey and Rice Soup

This is one of my favorite ways to use up leftovers from a big dinner - a quick and easy soup full of healthy ingredients! It turns out wonderfully creamy and comforting.

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Photo Credit:berrymaple.com

Leftover turkey soup

Rich flavorful turkey leftover soup from carcass. With homemade shredded turkey, vegetables and noodles, this soup is healthy and will feed your whole family!

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Photo Credit:freshaprilflours.com

Baked Turkey & Cheese Sliders

Easy turkey and cheese sliders baked in a honey mustard glaze. The simplicity in this recipe is that once your glaze is together, you just layer your slider bottoms, mayo, turkey, cheese, and slider tops in a casserole dish and cover everything with the glaze. Bake and boom, dinner is ready in less than 30 minutes!

This leftover turkey casserole recipe is the perfect way to use up your holiday extras with a few fresh partners mixed in.

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Photo Credit:www.savorywithsoul.com

Turkey Salad Recipe with Cranberries

This turkey salad recipe is so flavorful, colorful, and delicious! And it makes great use of your leftover turkey from Thanksgiving or any other occasion.

40 Leftover Turkey Recipes - Kitchen Girl (2024)

FAQs

How do you reheat leftover turkey without drying it out? ›

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.

What to do with dry turkey leftovers? ›

The dried meat will absorb the moisture and be more edible. Make any kind of dish with a rich sauce, to give the dry meat some richness. Or just serve it with a rich gravy. The next time I do turkey and have leftovers I will make this recipe…..

How many turkeys do I need to feed 100 people? ›

The general rule of thumb is 1–1½ pounds turkey per person. If that seems like a lot, remember that a whole turkey comes with a lot of parts that don't end up getting eaten. “When you buy a whole turkey, a lot of it is bone,” says recipe developer (and former BA staffer) Jessie YuChen.

How many does a 25 lb turkey feed? ›

A 25-pound turkey will feed approximately 18 to 20 people.

How do I make leftover turkey moist again? ›

Place your carved meat in a shallow baking dish and cover it with stock. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and place in low oven, somewhere around 250 degrees, for 5-10 minutes. The dryness won't be entirely gone after this short broth bath, but the turkey will definitely be more moist than before.

How do chefs reheat turkey? ›

How to reheat turkey
  1. Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4.
  2. Carve the turkey breast meat into thin slices and carve the leg meat off the bone. Lay in a roasting tin or gratin dish. ...
  3. Cover the dish tightly with foil and roast for 30 mins until the turkey is very hot – at least 75C on a cooking thermometer.

Is leftover turkey good after 7 days? ›

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 long will leftover turkey last in refrigerator? ›

How Long Does Turkey Last in the Fridge? 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.

Why is my turkey tough after cooking? ›

When the contracting muscle fibers reach 180° F they begin to break up. The bonds within the molecules begin to break down, causing proteins to unravel and the muscle meat becomes more tender. Of course the longer the turkey is cooked, the more the proteins are denatured and the meat gets tougher.

How many turkeys would it take to feed 40 people? ›

The general rule is to plan for 1 1/2 pounds of turkey per guest. If you're buying boneless meat, assume about 8 ounces per guest. To buy the right size turkey for your party, simply tally up the turkey-eating guests. Add a few pounds on for bones and you've got your turkey weight.

How many people will a 30 pound turkey feed? ›

18 to 20 people = 18- to 30-lb.

How big of a turkey do I need to feed 10 people with leftovers? ›

How to Figure Out How Much Turkey Per Person
Number of GuestsTurkey Weight–
810lbs
1013lbs
1215lbs
1520lbs
4 more rows
Nov 21, 2022

How long does it take to thaw a 20 lb turkey in cold water? ›

How Long to Thaw a Turkey
Turkey WeightHow Long to Thaw in the FridgeHow Long to Thaw in Cold Water
10 to 18 pounds2 to 3½ days5 to 9 hours
18 to 22 pounds3½ to 4½ days9 to 11 hours
22 to 24 pounds4½ to 5 days11 to 12 hours
24 to 29 pounds5 to 6 days12 to 15 hours
Oct 12, 2023

Is a 20 lb turkey enough for 20 people? ›

While 1 pound per person could feel like too little, and 1 1/2 pounds for each guest might be over-doing it, 1 1/4 pounds of turkey per mouth is the perfect balance. At that rate, feeding a large party of 15 or more people requires 20+ pounds of turkey.

How many adults will a 20 pound turkey feed? ›

Therefore a 20 pound turkey should feed at least 13 people. Remember though as well, the smaller the bird, which are going to be female turkeys, the less the meat to bone ratio will be, while the larger, male birds have a higher meat to bone ratio and thus may serve more than the expected 1.5 pounds/ 1 person ratio.

Can you cook turkey the day before and reheat? ›

When serving your turkey the next day, the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline advises that cooked turkey may be eaten cold or reheated. To reheat your turkey, USDA gives the following recommendations: In the Oven: Set the oven temperature no lower than 325°F.

How long to reheat precooked turkey? ›

TO REHEAT COOKED TURKEY BREAST AFTER REFRIGERATION

Preheat oven to 325*. 2. Place the Turkey Breast in a shallow pan with a small amount of liquid (water or turkey drippings) 3. Cover in foil and heat approximately 15 minutes per pound, until the internal tem- perature reaches 160*.

Does reheated turkey need to be 165? ›

You may eat the turkey cold or reheat to 165 F. meat off the bone. Legs and wings may be left whole, but the breast should be sliced. Refrigerate leftovers in shallow containers (i.e., containers 2-3 inches thick).

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