33 Easy Leftover Turkey Recipes (2024)

Looking for creative leftover turkey recipes? From savory crepes to turkey chili to after-Thanksgiving pizza, this list has you covered!

Using up the rest of your turkey goes well beyond simply making sandwiches.

This collection of leftover turkey recipes turns your holiday bird into creative and flavorful meals.

Whether you’re a kitchen novice or a seasoned chef, these ideas are sure to inspire and delight.

Transform your leftover turkey into something truly spectacular!

1. Leftover Turkey Casserole

Most casseroles start with a mixture of butter and flour (also called a roux). But this turkey casserole takes it up a notch by adding gravy and cheese.

Add the peas, carrots, and green beans for a hearty and vibrant dish!

Plus, you can even use up leftover cornbread, too!

2. Turkey Tetrazzini

Baked tetrazzini combines tender turkey meat, pasta, and mushrooms in a creamy sauce. It’s one of the most exciting leftover turkey recipes out there!

This version of tetrazzini is SUPER easy to make, and you get that extra richness by adding garlic-flavored cream cheese.

Serve it with some crusty bread to soak up the tasty sauce.

3. Leftover Turkey Sandwich

There are countless versions of leftover turkey sandwiches.

But this recipe is simply amazing! Imagine the moist turkey meat layered with gouda cheese, raspberry jam, and arugula.

It’s fruity, cheesy, meaty, and peppery. These flavors make up the best leftover turkey sandwich ever!

4. Leftover Turkey Soup

This tummy-warming soup is loaded with rice, turkey chunks, veggies, and a few simple seasonings. For a healthier meal, brown rice is the way to go.

Thicken the soup by using half milk and half cream.

When sauteed carrots, onions, and celery join the mix, you get a hearty and oh-so-creamy dish!

5. Turkey Pot Pie

This dish is a lot like chicken pot pie, but you have to swap out the chicken for turkey.

Using pre-made pie crust will significantly shorten the prep time. Everything goes into the pie crust: the flavorful sauce, turkey, and veggies.

The best part is biting into that flaky pie crust bursting with creamy, chunky filling. Yum!

6. Leftover Turkey Shepherd’s Pie

Shepherd’s pie is typically made with ground beef or lamb. It’s topped with creamy mashed potatoes and a crispy, golden cheese crust.

Using turkey meat will create a pie that’s as tasty as the original.

It also has a mix of veggies, herbs, broth, and spices for total comfort food!

7. Turkey à la King

This recipe typically calls for chicken, but it works just as well with leftover turkey!

The meat sits in a creamy sauce with mushrooms and veggies. And ‘iIt’s best served over rice to soak up all that deliciousness.

You can throw in any veggies you have on hand, as the recipe is highly customizable.

8. Leftover Turkey Chili

This chili calls for minimal prep work but packs a lot of flavors, making it one of my go-to leftover turkey recipes.

Ever tried adding cocoa to your chili? If not, this recipe will make you want to do just that.

I promise that the cocoa won’t leave a weird chocolatey taste.It enhances the existing flavors and offsets the tangy nature of tomatoes.

9. Leftover Turkey Cobb Salad

Quick, easy, and so refreshing, this turkey cobb salad is perfect if you’re looking for a light yet satisfying meal.

It’s packed with proteins, fresh veggies, cheese, raisins, and spices.

Meanwhile, the vinaigrette dressing is mixed with Dijon mustard and maple syrup, making everything extra delicious!

10. Leftover Turkey Hash

In its basic form, this breakfast recipe only needs leftover turkey, stuffing, and gravy. And because this is a hash recipe, potatoes and onions are a must.

Want some extra crunch? Adding toasted slivered almonds and sauteed red peppers will do the trick.

The fried egg on top is a classic addition, too!

11. Leftover Turkey Empanadas

These empanadas are chock full of meat, potatoes, and gravy, making them a filling and flavorful on-the-go snack.

The best part is you can customize the flavors that go inside these handheld pies. Mix and match leftovers and let your imagination run wild!

12. Turkey Pot Pie Soup

This is another recipe that usually calls for chicken. But turkey is just as delicious!

Imagine shredded leftover turkey, potatoes, and veggies cooked in a creamy and well-spiced broth.

This soup is best served with biscuits or puff pastry on the side. Yum!

13. Leftover Turkey Tortilla Soup

Craving bold and fresh Mexican flavors? This turkey tortilla soup is exactly what you’ll need.

Loaded with tomatoes, corn, beans, and chilies, this soup has everything that makes Mexican food incredibly delicious!

I love it with crumbled tortilla chips and shredded cheese on top for a complete Mexican treat.

14. Leftover Turkey Enchiladas

These leftover turkey enchiladas are always a hit in my house.

This filling meal consists of classic Tex-Mex ingredients. Think lots of cheese, pinto beans, sour cream, jalalpeños, and so much more!

The soft corn tortillas are smothered in an enchilada sauce full of savory goodness. You’ll be blown away by the bold flavors in each bite.

15. Leftover Turkey Patties

These hearty, tasty turkey patties will win over the kids and the grownups!

They’re a lighter version of classic beef patties, and you can make them without breadcrumbs.

They’re great for pita pockets or a simple sandwich with layers of greens, mustard, and pickles.

16. Thanksgiving Leftover Pizza

Making this pizza is a fun way to mix things up after turkey day!

From veggies to gravy to stuffing, all the leftovers can go into this after-Thanksgiving pizza.

Don’t forget the cheese! A pizza isn’t complete without it.

17. Slow Cooker Turkey Chowder

This indulgent turkey chowder has a restaurant quality. It’ll make you want to go back for seconds and thirds!

Cornstarch and heavy cream team up to thicken the soup. Add turkey meat, corn, and veggies for a nutritious yet tummy-satisfying dish.

18. Kentucky Hot Brown Sliders

These sliders are perfect for game day, lunches, and everything in between!

Made with tomatoes, cheese, and gravy, the combo perfectly highlights the flavor of leftover turkey.

To be honest, it’s almost worth making a full turkey dinner just to enjoy these the next day.

19. Turkey and Dumplings

Turkey and dumplings is a delicious meal for the colder nights!

This soul-warming dish combines turkey leftovers, homemade dumplings, and pantry spices.

To get the perfectly tender dumplings, avoid over-mixing the dough. Meanwhile, using bone broth will give you a nutrient-dense dish.

20. Leftover Turkey Stroganoff

This recipe is a spinoff of classic beef stroganoff. It’s lighter but so tasty!

Made with leftover turkey or chicken, and flavored with a thick sour cream gravy sauce, it’s insanely rich and hearty.

Dijon mustard, earthy mushrooms, and smoked paprika add layers of indulgent flavors to the stroganoff sauce. Serve it with egg noodles, and enjoy!

21. Turkey Mushroom Cranberry Risotto

This risotto is beautiful, fun, and delicious!

You won’t believe how well the flavors and textures go together in this dish. And the cranberries add the perfect pop of color.

Paired with a green salad, this is one leftover meal you’ll never forget.

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22. Turkey Over Biscuits

Crisp, buttery biscuits topped with warm, creamy turkey, this is comfort food at its finest.

The sauce is made with flour, butter, chicken broth, milk, and herbs. But you can enhance the flavors and textures with other add-ins.

Some great picks are Parmesan cheese, sliced mushrooms, and chopped cauliflower.

23. Turkey and Broccoli Quiche

This savory egg custard features meaty turkey and hearty broccoli flavored with cheese and curry powder.

Just imagine the medley of flavors coming out from this fantastic dish.

The broccoli is cooked with butter and onion, while bacon bits are used to add extra flavor.

24. Leftover Turkey Burritos

The tangy salsa, meaty turkey, and classic Tex-Mex spices are combined in some of the tastiest burritos I’ve ever had!

Cheese, cilantro, and cumin join the mix for a flavor bomb.

To upgrade these burritos, you can top them off with avocado, more salsa, and more cheese.

25. Leftover Turkey Salad

This turkey salad is much like classic chicken salad but with a twist. It has pecans for a crunchy texture and cranberries for a tangy flavor.

Everything comes together in minutes and is tossed in mustard-mayo dressing. Serve it over fresh greens or wrapped in sandwiches.

26. Thanksgiving Egg Rolls

Crispy egg rolls are filled with mashed potatoes, turkey, and stuffing. This is one of the most unique leftover turkey recipes in existence!

The filling goes into a wonton wrapper and is baked until crispy. Serve the egg rolls with gravy and cranberry sauce for alternating savory and sweet flavors.

27. Thanksgiving Leftovers Quesadilla

Everyone’s favorite, next to pizza, is the quesadilla. This version is packed with turkey meat, sage, and three kinds of cheese!

Every lingering bite of Thanksgiving is in this quesadilla. Plus, it’s a cinch to make in the stovetop or microwave.

If you’re looking for a quick and easy comfort food recipe, this quesadilla ticks all the boxes.

28. Leftover Turkey Monte Cristo

The next-level Thanksgiving leftover sandwich is here: Turkey Monte Cristo.

It features leftover turkey, cranberry sauce, and cheese, all layered between crisp and buttery bread slices.

For the best-tasting sandwich, use French bread loaves. Just like making authentic Monte Cristo, the sandwich must be soaked in an egg-milk mixture before frying.

29. Leftover Turkey Tacos

These turkey tacos are exactly what you need after so much holiday cooking. They’re a breeze to make and versatile, too.

For the toppings, you can use anything you have on hand. But the classic options are avocado, tomatoes, cheese, and sour cream.

Extra flavors emerge when you cook the turkey in a tomato puree and chicken stock infused with honey and lime juice.

30. Leftover Turkey Nachos

These turkey nachos are here to join the ranks of crowd-favorite snacks.

The perfectly crisp tortillas are loaded with classic nacho toppings, such as tomatoes, onions, olives, and chiles.

Taco seasoning and cheese (lots of it) complete the awesome nacho flavor.

31. Leftover Turkey Avocado Panini

I like to think of panini sandwiches as the grown-up version of grilled cheeses.

This tasty creation is layered with turkey, avocado, red onion, and melted cheese.

It’s creamy, savory, and oh-so-delicious. Add some spinach to give it an extra boost of nutrition.

32. Turkey Orzo Soup

A one-pot comforting soup that’s ready in 30 minutes? Who wouldn’t love this recipe?

This dish is also loaded with veggies and fresh herbs, making it healthy and yummy!

Of course, this soup calls for orzo pasta, which adds a beautiful texture and makes the dish extra filling.

33. Leftover Turkey Curry

This turkey curry is brimming with bold flavors from spices, aromatics, and ghee.

The mix of veggies, meat, and the thick, rich sauce makes this dish downright comforting!

Serve this saucy dish over cauliflower rice for a nourishing yet super tasty meal.

33 Best Leftover Turkey Recipes

Course: DinnerCuisine: American

Servings

6

servings

Prep time

10

minutes

Cooking time

40

minutes

Calories

425

kcal

Transform your Thanksgiving leftovers into a comforting leftover turkey casserole! This meal is complete with turkey, stuffing, Brussels sprouts, and gravy, topped with mashed potatoes and a golden cheese crust.

Ingredients

• 3 cups leftover turkey, chopped

• 2 cups leftover stuffing

• 1 cup leftover roasted Brussels sprouts, halved

• Salt and pepper to taste

• 1 cup leftover gravy

• 2 cups leftover mashed potatoes

• 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or a blend of your favorites)

• Optional extras: cranberry sauce for serving, any other leftover vegetables you have

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
• In a large bowl, combine the turkey, stuffing, and Brussels sprouts. Season with salt and pepper if needed.
• Spread the turkey mixture evenly in the bottom of a greased baking dish. Pour the gravy over the turkey mixture.
• Spread mashed potatoes on top, smoothing with a spatula. Sprinkle the shredded cheese across the mashed potatoes.
• Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the edges are golden brown. Broil for an additional 2-3 minutes if a crisper cheese crust is desired.
• Let the casserole sit for 5 minutes before serving.
• Enjoy!

Notes

• If your stuffing is particularly dry, consider mixing a little extra gravy or chicken broth into it before layering to ensure a moist casserole.
• For a crispy topping, mix some breadcrumbs with melted butter and sprinkle over the cheese before baking.

Nutrition

• Calories: 425kcal
• Carbohydrates: 38g
• Protein: 28g
• Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Cholesterol: 64mg
• Sodium: 2180mg
• Potassium: 248mg
• Fiber: 4g
• Sugar: 5g
• Calcium: 151mg
• Iron: 0mg