Transform your holiday leftovers into delicious meals with these easy leftover turkey recipes. From casseroles to soups and pasta dishes, there are plenty of creative ways to repurpose your Thanksgiving or Christmas turkey. Not only will you impress your family and houseguests with your ingenuity, but you’ll also reduce food waste and save money on your grocery bill. Don’t have enough leftover roast turkey? Mix in some shredded rotisserie chicken to stretch it out. Get ready for some mouth-watering leftover ideas!
17. BBQ Leftover Turkey Pizza
Transform your leftover turkey into a delicious BBQ pizza. It’s a quick and easy meal that’s perfect for when you’re feeling tired after the holidays. Your guests won’t even realize they’re eating leftovers! Try it out and impress your friends and family.
- Use pre-made pizza crust for convenience
- Spread BBQ sauce on the crust
- Add leftover turkey, shredded cheese, and your favorite toppings
- Bake in the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly
- Serve hot and enjoy!
6. Delicious Turkey Potato Cakes
Transform your leftovers into a mouthwatering meal with these crispy turkey and potato cakes. Perfect for comfort food cravings!
7. Turkey Curry
Transform your leftover turkey into a deliciously tangy and slightly sweet and spicy one-pan meal with this easy turkey curry recipe. Perfect for a quick and flavorful dinner.
8. Leftover Turkey Nachos
Looking for a creative way to use up your leftover turkey? Try making turkey nachos! Simply layer tortilla chips with turkey carnitas, cranberry sauce salsa, brussel sprouts, and plenty of cheese for a delicious and unique twist on traditional nachos. This is a great way to repurpose your Thanksgiving or Christmas leftovers and create a fun and tasty meal. Plus, it’s easy to customize with your favorite toppings and seasonings. Give it a try and enjoy a new take on nachos!
23. Leftover Turkey Tacos
Transform your Thanksgiving leftovers into a delicious meal by making turkey tacos. This recipe is quick and easy, and you can add your favorite leftovers to the mix. Here’s how to make them:
- Shred leftover turkey and warm it up in a skillet.
- Add your favorite taco seasoning and a little bit of water to the skillet.
- Warm up tortillas in the microwave or on a skillet.
- Assemble your tacos with the turkey, shredded cheese, lettuce, and any other toppings you like.
- Enjoy the flavors of Thanksgiving wrapped up in a tortilla.
Leftover turkey tacos are perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal. Plus, they’re a fun way to switch up your usual taco night routine. Give them a try and see how delicious they can be!
9. Ultimate Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Sandwich
Transform your Thanksgiving leftovers into a scrumptious breakfast/brunch sandwich recipe with this easy-to-make turkey sandwich.
42. Turkey Noodle Soup
Transform your holiday leftovers into a delicious light lunch or dinner with turkey noodle soup. Simply combine veggies, egg noodles, and turkey broth for a tasty meal. Use up what you already have on hand and enjoy a warm and comforting dish.
46. Creamy Turkey Wild Rice Soup
Looking for a hearty and satisfying soup to warm you up on chilly days? Try this easy and comforting creamy turkey wild rice soup recipe. Loaded with carrots, mushrooms, celery, and onions, this soup is perfect for using up leftover turkey. The light and creamy broth adds a touch of indulgence to this classic soup. Enjoy it for lunch or dinner.
14. Turkey Wild Rice Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms
Impress your guests with these stunning and delicious stuffed portobello mushrooms. The giant mushroom caps are filled with a flavorful mixture of wild rice and tender turkey, creating a lightly creamy and satisfying dish. Perfect for any occasion, these stuffed mushrooms are sure to be a hit with everyone.
1. Turkey Waffles with Maple and Bacon
Transform your leftover turkey into a delicious breakfast with these creative turkey waffles. Enjoy the perfect combination of sweet and savory flavors with maple syrup and bacon. Repurpose your leftovers and start your day off right with this tasty meal.
15. Easy Leftover Turkey Egg Rolls
Transform your leftover turkey into a delicious hand-held treat with this simple recipe. Crunchy cabbage and carrots are combined with the turkey to create a mouth-watering filling. Serve them as appetizers or as a side dish. Here’s what you need:
| Ingredients |
|---|
| Leftover turkey |
| Cabbage |
| Carrots |
| Egg roll wrappers |
| Soy sauce |
| Vegetable oil |
Instructions:
- Shred the leftover turkey and chop the cabbage and carrots into small pieces.
- Mix the turkey, cabbage, and carrots in a bowl with a splash of soy sauce.
- Lay out an egg roll wrapper and place a spoonful of the turkey mixture in the center.
- Roll up the wrapper, tucking in the sides, and seal with a bit of water.
- Heat up some vegetable oil in a pan and fry the egg rolls until they are golden brown.
- Serve hot with additional soy sauce for dipping.
Enjoy this easy and delicious way to use up your leftover turkey!
16. Turkey Monte Cristo Sandwich
Indulge in the deliciousness of a turkey monte cristo sandwich, made with ham, turkey, and cheese between two slices of bread, dipped in a sweet batter, then deep fried. This mouth-watering sandwich is served with jam for a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors.
2. Leftover Turkey Mushroom Meatballs
Transform your Thanksgiving leftovers into a tasty and nutritious meal. Simply mix your leftover turkey with chopped mushrooms and form into meatballs. Bake in the oven and serve with a side salad for a healthy and satisfying dinner.
18. Turkey Cranberry Crescent Braid
Make a delicious turkey cranberry crescent braid with ease using refrigerated seamless dough from the grocery store. Just add a few ingredients onto the dough, braid it up, and bake it in the oven.
36. Holiday Leftover Strata
Transform your Thanksgiving leftovers into a delicious and easy-to-make strata. This layered casserole is filled with pockets of gooey cheese, crispy bacon, juicy turkey, sweet and tart cranberry sauce, and crunchy croutons. Top it all off with a drizzle of cheesy turkey gravy for a meal that’s sure to please. Don’t be surprised when everyone goes back for seconds!
5. Turkey Cranberry Sliders
These sliders are a perfect way to use up your leftover turkey and cranberry sauce. The combination of flavors is simply delicious and will leave you wanting more. They are a great alternative to traditional turkey sandwiches. Check out our related article for 23 amazing side dishes to pair with your sandwiches.
20. Slow Cooker Turkey Marsala
Looking for a holiday-themed alternative to chicken marsala? Slow cooker turkey marsala is the perfect solution! Tender turkey breast is slow cooked in the crockpot until it’s juicy and flavorful, then bathed in a rich and velvety marsala sauce. The best part is that it practically cooks itself while you’re busy with other tasks like resting, shopping, or decorating. Try this delicious and easy recipe for a stress-free holiday meal.
22. Turkey Poutine
Transform your leftover turkey into a mouth-watering dish by serving it over crispy sweet potato fries and cheese curds. This unique recipe is a perfect way to use any unused sweet potatoes in your pantry. Top it off with gravy and cranberry sauce for a delicious twist on poutine.
3. Easy and Quick Turkey Pot Pie
Looking for a delicious and impressive way to use up your leftover turkey? Try this easy and quick turkey pot pie recipe! With its creamy and savory filling and beautiful appearance, it’s perfect for a fancy dinner party or a quick weeknight meal. Here are the ingredients you’ll need:
- Leftover turkey, shredded or chopped
- Frozen mixed vegetables
- Cream of chicken soup
- Milk
- Salt and pepper
- Puff pastry sheets
Follow these simple steps to make your turkey pot pie:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F.
- In a large bowl, mix together the shredded or chopped turkey, frozen mixed vegetables, cream of chicken soup, milk, salt, and pepper.
- Roll out the puff pastry sheets and use them to line a pie dish or individual ramekins.
- Pour the turkey mixture into the pastry-lined dish(es).
- Cover the dish(es) with more puff pastry and crimp the edges to seal.
- Cut a few slits in the top of the pastry to allow steam to escape.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and the filling is hot and bubbly.
Enjoy your delicious and impressive turkey pot pie!
38. Turkey Ramen
Looking for a new way to use your leftover turkey? Try making this delicious turkey ramen! The turkey is poached in an easy and flavorful stock, which is then transformed into a delicious broth for the ramen. This recipe is a great alternative to traditional chicken ramen and is perfect for using up holiday leftovers.
4. Turkey Calzones
Looking for a new way to use leftover roasted turkey? These low carb turkey calzones are a delicious and gluten-free option. Try them out for a satisfying meal.
25. Leftover Christmas Pasta Bake
Looking for a new way to use up your Christmas leftovers? Try making a delicious pasta bake with your leftover meat, vegetables, and cheese. This recipe is versatile and can be customized to your liking. Plus, it freezes well so you can enjoy it later. Here are some tips to make the perfect Christmas pasta bake:
- Use any leftover meat, such as turkey, ham, or beef
- Add any leftover vegetables, such as Brussels sprouts, carrots, or green beans
- Mix in your favorite cheese, such as cheddar, mozzarella, or parmesan
- Cook your pasta al dente so it doesn’t become mushy in the oven
- Top with breadcrumbs or extra cheese for a crispy finish
Enjoy a comforting and easy meal with your Christmas leftovers!
41. Turkey Corn Chowder
Looking for a quick and easy way to use up your leftover turkey? Try this delicious and nutritious turkey corn chowder recipe! With just 30 minutes of prep and cook time, it’s a perfect way to make another meal in no time. Here are some key features of this recipe:
- Uses leftover turkey
- Takes only 30 minutes to prepare and cook
- Nutritious and delicious
- Perfect for a quick weeknight meal
Ingredients:
- Leftover turkey
- Corn
- Potatoes
- Carrots
- Onion
- Garlic
- Chicken broth
- Milk
- Flour
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
- In a large pot, sauté onion and garlic until tender.
- Add diced potatoes and sliced carrots, and sauté for a few more minutes.
- Add chicken broth and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer until vegetables are tender.
- Add leftover turkey and corn to the pot.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together milk and flour until smooth.
- Gradually stir the milk mixture into the pot.
- Cook until the soup thickens.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
26. Leftover Turkey Pasta Skillet
Looking for a delicious way to use up your leftover turkey? Try making a skillet pasta dish! This easy recipe allows you to add your favorite veggies and cut up leftover turkey for a quick and satisfying lunch or dinner. Here’s how to make it:
Ingredients:
- Leftover turkey, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Your choice of pasta
- Assorted vegetables, such as bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions:
- Cook your pasta according to the package instructions and set aside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add a drizzle of olive oil.
- Add your vegetables to the skillet and cook until they’re tender and slightly caramelized.
- Add your leftover turkey to the skillet and cook until it’s heated through.
- Add your cooked pasta to the skillet and toss everything together until it’s well combined.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve hot, garnished with Parmesan cheese if desired.
This easy leftover turkey pasta skillet is a great way to use up your Thanksgiving or Christmas leftovers, and it’s sure to be a hit with the whole family. Give it a try and enjoy a delicious and satisfying meal in no time!
33. Turkey Spaghetti Casserole
Looking for a delicious way to use up leftover turkey? Try making a Turketti, also known as a leftover turkey spaghetti casserole. This creamy dish is loaded with chopped turkey and slathered with cheese. Plus, it’s easy to prep in advance and can be used as a freezer meal for a future busy weeknight. Serve it up and watch your family rave about this tasty twist on spaghetti.
34. Turkey, Bacon, and Brussel Sprout Mac and Cheese
Looking for a simple and delicious way to use up leftover turkey, bacon, and brussel sprouts? Try this mac and cheese recipe! The combination of these ingredients may sound strange, but trust us, it’s amazing. Here’s how to make it:
Ingredients:
- Macaroni
- Butter
- Flour
- Milk
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Leftover turkey, chopped
- Cooked bacon, crumbled
- Cooked brussel sprouts, chopped
Instructions:
- Cook macaroni according to package instructions.
- In a separate pan, melt butter and stir in flour to create a roux.
- Slowly whisk in milk until mixture thickens.
- Add shredded cheddar cheese and stir until melted.
- Stir in chopped turkey, crumbled bacon, and chopped brussel sprouts.
- Mix in cooked macaroni.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
This dish is a great way to use up Thanksgiving or Christmas leftovers, or any time you have leftover turkey and brussel sprouts on hand. Give it a try and see for yourself how delicious it can be!
35. Turkey and Mashed Potatoes Casserole
Looking for a quick and easy way to use up your Thanksgiving leftovers? Try this Turkey and Mashed Potatoes Casserole recipe. With just a few ingredients and simple steps, you can enjoy a delicious meal while relaxing after the holiday or recovering from Black Friday shopping. Here’s how to make it:
Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded turkey
- 2 cups mashed potatoes
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- In a large bowl, mix together the shredded turkey, mashed potatoes, cheddar cheese, sour cream, and green onions. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the casserole is heated through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
This Turkey and Mashed Potatoes Casserole is a great way to use up your Thanksgiving leftovers and create a delicious meal with minimal effort. Give it a try and see for yourself!
37. Turkey Ragu
Turkey ragu is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed with pasta, potatoes, or rice. It’s also a great option for meal prepping as it can be easily frozen for later use.
30. Turkey Noodle Casserole
Looking for a quick and easy way to use up your Thanksgiving or Christmas leftovers? Try making a delicious turkey noodle casserole! With just a few pantry staples and basic refrigerated items, you can create a crowd-pleasing dish that’s sure to satisfy. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Cooked turkey, shredded or diced
- Egg noodles
- Cream of chicken soup
- Milk
- Sour cream
- Parmesan cheese
Simply cook the egg noodles according to package instructions, then mix together the cream of chicken soup, milk, and sour cream. Layer the cooked noodles, turkey, and soup mixture in a casserole dish, then sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake in the oven until heated through and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Enjoy!
39. Instant Pot Turkey Chili
Looking for a delicious and easy way to use up leftover turkey? Look no further than this Instant Pot turkey chili recipe! Packed with spicy Andouille sausage, juicy turkey, corn, green chilies, and Fritos, this chili is the perfect way to warm up this winter season. Plus, with the convenience of the Instant Pot, it’s ready in no time!
43. Creamy Turkey Soup with Spinach
Transform your turkey leftovers into a rich and hearty soup loaded with flavor. This recipe is a delicious alternative to a basic turkey sandwich. Here’s how to make it:
Ingredients:
- Cooked turkey, shredded or diced
- Onion, chopped
- Garlic, minced
- Carrots, chopped
- Celery, chopped
- Chicken broth
- Heavy cream
- Spinach leaves
- Salt and pepper
- Olive oil
Instructions:
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add onion and garlic, and cook until softened.
- Add carrots and celery, and cook until slightly softened.
- Add shredded or diced turkey to the pot, and stir to combine.
- Pour in chicken broth and bring to a simmer.
- Allow the soup to simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
- Add heavy cream and spinach leaves to the pot, and stir to combine.
- Allow the soup to simmer for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the spinach is wilted and the soup is heated through.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Enjoy your creamy turkey soup with spinach as a comforting and delicious meal.
44. Turkey and Lentil Soup
Looking for a quick and healthy meal option? Try making turkey and lentil soup! This dish can be made using either ground turkey or holiday leftovers, and is packed with protein. Plus, it only takes 30 minutes to cook. Here are some key features of this dish:
- Easy to make
- Delicious
- Healthy
- High in protein
- Cooks in 30 minutes
Consider adding this recipe to your meal rotation for a satisfying and nutritious option.
21. Thanksgiving Pizza
Looking for a unique way to enjoy your Thanksgiving leftovers? Try the Thanksgiving pizza! This non-traditional pizza is loaded with all your favorite holiday flavors, including turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and more. It’s a perfect way to use up those leftovers and create a new family favorite. Here are some tips to make the perfect Thanksgiving pizza:
- Start with a pre-made pizza crust or make your own from scratch.
- Spread a layer of mashed potatoes on the crust, leaving a small border around the edge.
- Add a layer of stuffing on top of the mashed potatoes.
- Add shredded turkey and any other leftover meats you have.
- Top with shredded cheese and bake in the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve with a drizzle of gravy on top for an extra touch of holiday flavor.
This Thanksgiving pizza is a fun and delicious way to enjoy your leftovers in a new way. Give it a try and see if it becomes a new family tradition!
Summary
You have a lot of leftover turkey and you’re not sure what to do with it. Don’t worry, there are plenty of easy and delicious recipes you can make with your leftovers. From turkey pot pie to turkey enchiladas, there’s something for everyone. Use your creativity and experiment with different flavors to make the most out of your leftover turkey.
Hiroshi Nakamura, a Tokyo-born sushi chef turned US-based writer and critic, is the voice behind ichisushi.com, blending traditional sushi wisdom with modern insights.