40+ Delicious & Easy Leftover Turkey Recipes

I hope you have the most wonderful Thanksgiving filled with great company and delicious food. Before the big day, I wanted to share a little roundup that will make your post-Thanksgiving lunches and dinners easy and fun.

That’s right, I’m stepping up your Thanksgiving leftovers with over 40 amazingly easy recipes using leftover turkey. I’m all about post-holiday turkey sandwiches, but the whole family is going to LOVE these creative new leftover turkey recipes. Skip the gloppy casseroles and use leftover Thanksgiving turkey in these cozy soups & chilis, some of my famous enchiladas, and plenty of delicious slow cooker recipes that are the perfect way to repurpose those leftovers (even the potatoes and cranberry sauce!)

For lighter options, I have tons of turkey salad ideas and recipes packed with vegetables and flavor.

Thanksgiving dinner round two, anyone? Let’s get to it.

How long is leftover turkey good for?

Once you take your leftover turkey meat home be sure to cook up these new recipes within 3-5 days so that the turkey is still good. I like to take the day after Thanksgiving to make a yummy turkey soup, leftover turkey sandwich or batch of turkey enchiladas. The easiest meal prep for the rest of your week!

Storing & freezing leftover turkey

You can also store and freeze your leftover turkey to enjoy at a later date!

To store:store the leftover turkey in airtight containersorresealable bags in the fridge for up to 3-5 days.
To freeze: freeze leftover turkey in airtight containers or bags for up to 3 months. Simply thaw the turkey in the refrigerator before using it in recipes.

I hope you guys love all of these delicious ways to use leftover turkey. If you make any of these after Thanksgiving be sure to leave a comment and let me know how you liked it. Enjoy, xoxo!

Cozy Soups

For soup recipes, feel free to simply add the same amount of cooked turkey as the recipe calls for chicken! It will typically be about 2-3 cups of cooked, shredded turkey, and you can add it 10 minutes before serving. If you’re using a slow cooker, stir in the turkey once the other ingredients are done cooking.

Hearty Stews, Curries & Chowders

Just like with soups, add your cooked, shredded turkey 10 minutes before serving! Again, if you’re using a slow cooker, stir in the turkey once everything else is done cooking.

Slow Cooker White Wine Chicken Stew
Slow Cooker Yellow Chicken Curry
Southwest Chicken Corn Chowder
Healthy Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala
Slow Cooker Thai-Inspired Peanut Chicken with Sticky Coconut Purple Rice
One Pan Creamy Thai Peanut Chicken Couscous

Chilis

You know the drill — stir in cooked, shredded turkey 10 minutes before serving the chili. The same rules apply for slow cooker chili recipes!

Healthy White Chicken Chili
Slow Cooker Black Bean Quinoa Pumpkin Chicken Chili
Slow Cooker Salsa Verde Chicken Chickpea Chili
Healthy Slow Cooker Chicken Chile Verde

Salads, Wraps, Sandwiches & Bowls

Because these recipes already call for cooked chicken, make the recipe as directed but use cooked turkey instead. These recipes are the perfect way to enjoy your leftovers with lots of veggies.

(add leftover stuffing if you’re feeling fancy!)
15-Minute Healthy Moroccan-Spiced Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad
Crunchy Rainbow Thai Peanut Chicken Wraps
Copycat Portillo’s Chopped Salad
Spicy Ranch Chopped Chicken Cabbage Salad
Better Than Chipotle DIY Chicken Burrito Bowls
Sesame Chicken Cabbage Crunch Salad
Incredible Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken Sandwiches
Grilled Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
4 Healthy Mason Jar Salads
BBQ Ranch Chicken Quinoa Bowls

Easy Comfort Foods

Turkey pot pie? You know it! For these classic comfort food recipes, you’ll just want to add the cooked turkey in place of the chicken. No need to cook it again, of course, so just follow any recipes after the step where you cook the chicken.

Spicy Black Bean Chicken Enchiladas with Pumpkin Sour Cream Sauce
Blow Ya Mind Cheddar Broccoli Chicken Pot Pie
Pesto Mushroom Chicken Lasagna Roll Ups
Cheesy BBQ Chicken Stuffed Zucchini Boats
Butternut Squash, Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole
Whole Wheat Honey-Jalapeño Cornbread Chicken Tamale Pie
Ginger Cashew Chicken Stir Fry with Coconut Cauliflower Rice
Lightened Up Chicken Pot Pie
Roasted Butternut Squash Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Couscous
Low Carb Chicken Zucchini Enchilada Bake
Small Batch Green Salsa Verde Chicken Enchiladas
Incredible Caramelized Onion Spinach Chicken Pasta Bake
Sweet and Sour Pineapple Broccoli Chicken Stir Fry
Dreamy Refried Bean Chicken Enchiladas with Homemade Enchilada Sauce

This post was originally published on November 24, 2019, republished on November 26, 2021, and republished on November 21st, 2023.

40+ Delicious & Easy Leftover Turkey Recipes | Ambitious Kitchen (2024)

FAQs

How to 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 if my turkey is still frozen after 5 days? ›

If your turkey is still frozen solid:

Try a safe quick-thawing method. Cold water: Keep the bird in its airtight packaging or a leak-proof bag, submerge it in cold water, and change the water every 30 minutes. Microwave: Use your manufacturer guidelines to thaw for about 6 minutes per pound.

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Can dogs eat turkey? ›

Is Turkey Good for Dogs? Yes, when cooked and prepared properly—and given in very small portions—turkey can be a healthy, occasional treat for dogs. Make sure it is fully cooked; has no skin, bones, or fat; and is not cooked with any other ingredients or seasonings.

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What to do with turkey drippings besides gravy? ›

Left over pan drippings from your roast turkey can be poured off into a separate container and used later to flavour a host of dishes such as soups, stews and mashed potatoes. You can freeze them in ice cube size quantities and store them for months, adding a few to a casserole to lift the flavour.

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What is the liquid in the bottom of the turkey roasting pan? ›

Often, the oil left in the pan after roasting turkey is used to make the roux to thicken gravy to go with that turkey. If it looks like all oil, you can use it as such. Especially since the turkey was pre-basted, the drippings might be a mixture of oil and juices.

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Can I dump turkey grease down the drain? ›

Never pour grease down sink drains or into toilets. Scrape grease and food scraps from trays, plates, pots, pans, utensils, grills and cooking surfaces into a metal can or your kitchen trash.

Do you reheat turkey covered or uncovered? ›

We also recommend covering turkey as it reheats. Use an aluminum foil pouch in the oven or a microwave-safe dish in the microwave. If the juices stay in the turkey instead of evaporating off into your kitchen, the leftovers will taste so much better!

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How do you keep a cooked turkey warm without drying it out? ›

After the turkey has reached an internal temperature of 165 °F, as measured with a food thermometer, you can keep it warm covered with foil in an oven.

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How do you store leftover turkey to keep it moist? ›

Use freezer-safe bags or containers and "limit air space in the package to prevent freezer burn," she says. Another option is to wrap the turkey in aluminum foil, followed by plastic wrap. "The aluminum foil helps prevent freezer burn and the plastic wrap helps retain moisture," explains Baker.

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40+ Delicious & Easy Leftover Turkey Recipes | Ambitious Kitchen (2024)