Turkeys are quite big birds, so there's almost always leftover turkey meat from Thanksgiving dinner. Fortunately, there are so many leftover turkey recipes that you and the family can enjoy after the holidays.
Turkey curry
One of my favorite ways to use up leftover Thanksgiving turkey is with this one-pan curry recipe! You can easily whip up this yummy dinner with just a handful of warm spices and aromatics. Enjoy the spicy curry with rice or Indian bread, like roti or naan.
If you want to use up all those leftovers, pair the turkey curry with stuffing waffles! They're crisp on the outside the soft stuffing interior soaks up all the sauce.
Turkey Chowder
As Thanksgiving passes, the weather starts to get significantly colder. A bite of turkey chowder is the perfect way to keep warm as the temperature drops. The rich soup is filled with shredded turkey, potatoes, corn, and carrots, for a hearty meal.
If you skipped the turkey this year, feel free to use leftover chicken in this chowder.
Turkey Nachos
What better way to use up turkey leftovers than with crunchy nachos? The leftover turkey is mixed with BBQ sauce to give it another boost of flavor that pairs wonderfully with the corn tortillas. The best part about this recipe is you can add whatever toppings you like!
Use sour cream, cheddar cheese, raw onion, cilantro, or even leftover stuffing. There are so many ways to play around with turkey nachos.
Turkey Lasagna
Leftover turkey lasagna is a decadent delight. The diced turkey is cooked in a beautiful ragu sauce and layered with creamy sauce. Each bite is filled with flavors that simply melt in your mouth.
You can also bake a big batch of lasagna to cut down on cooking for the next few days!
Turkey Soup
Turkey soup is a wonderful way to enjoy leftovers. You can toss everything in, and something delicious comes out! Cut up any leftover roasted turkey and cook it with your choice of hearty veggies, onions, and seasonings to make a light soup.
Turkey soup is a simple meal that will sit light on the stomach after a day of feasting!
Turkey Tacos
Sometimes, there is more turkey than you know what to do with. This simple recipe is a great way to enjoy Thanksgiving leftovers because it's quick to make and so delicious! I recommend batch-cooking the leftover turkey, so you can place some in the freezer for later.
Top these tacos with salsa, guacamole, or freshly diced tomatoes for a more fulfilling dish.
Turkey Biryani
After all that Thanksgiving cooking, all you want to do is make easy meals. With the help of curry paste, this one-pot turkey biryani is the way to go! Wild rice is beautifully cooked with curry paste, cardamom, sliced turkey, peas, and stock.
It's a flavorful leftover turkey recipe that you might just prefer over the classic turkey dinner!
Turkey Stroganoff
There's almost always turkey leftover during the holidays. That's why having a leftover turkey recipe in your back pocket is a great idea. Turkey stroganoff is the recipe to make after Thanksgiving. It's a delicious creamy pasta dish that's full of umami mushrooms and garlic.
The pasta tastes decadent, but it's quick and simple to make. In just 30 minutes, you'll have this incredible meal while using up your leftover ingredients.
Turkey Goulash
Thinking of creative ideas for meals after a large Thanksgiving dinner can be tough. Turkey goulash is an amazing way to use up all those holiday leftovers without much work and effort. All you have to do is mix the leftover turkey with pasta, canned tomatoes, spices, and veggies.
It's a lovely leftover recipe that stands out from the typical post-Thanksgiving meal! Top it with cheese if you want to make it a bit creamy.
Turkey broth
You may have used all the leftover meat, but what about the turkey giblets and turkey carcass? Whatever you do, don't throw them away! Turkey carcass and giblets are fantastic ingredients for making a rich and flavorful broth. There are so many ways you can use turkey broth as well.
Cook up a leftovers soup, turkey risotto, or chowder with turkey broth for that boost of flavor. If you cook chicken instead of turkey, chicken giblets and its carcass can also be turned into a delightful broth.
Turkey Salad
Thanksgiving is a time to feast! But you may want to eat something lighter the next day. When that happens, a simple turkey salad will hit the spot. Combine leftover turkey with mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, and celery for a creamy salad topping.
Enjoy the turkey mixture on top of fresh lettuce, arugula, or spring mix. It'll pair with most leafy vegetables. It's so yummy, you won't even need dressing!
If you want to clear your fridge from other Thanksgiving leftovers, top the turkey salad with a dollop of cranberry sauce. The cranberry sauce will add a nice acidity to balance out the richness of the mayonnaise.
Turkey Tetrazzini
I love making an easy casserole after the holidays. All you have to do is toss everything into a baking dish, and voila, a meal is ready! This turkey tetrazzini is no exception. This casserole is filled with chopped-up leftover turkey, rich mushroom sauce, mushrooms, peas, and cheese.
The baked pasta casserole is packed with flavor, but there are so many ways to switch it up. Use shredded chicken instead of turkey, canned mushroom soup instead of a fresh sauce, or add in some cubed ham.
Serve a plate of turkey tetrazzini with a slice of garlic bread to soak up all those yummy flavors!
Turkey Pot Pie
Turkey pot pie is one of the best ways to reuse leftover turkey. The flaky puff pastry covers a treasure trove of creamy sauce mixed with turkey and delicate vegetables. Pot pie is rich and keeps the soul warm for the colder weather.
This is an awesome recipe to use up homemade turkey stock or chicken stock! Thanks to its creamy interior, I recommend pairing turkey pot pie with leftover mashed potatoes.
Turkey Sandwiches
Skip the boring leftover turkey sandwiches, and opt for this one instead. The brioche provides a delicate sweetness that brings out the seasoned taste of the turkey. Steam the meat instead of microwaving it to keep it nice and juicy.
As for toppings, use up all those leftovers you may have! Add cranberry sauce, shaved brussels sprouts, or anything else you may have in the fridge.
I recommend adding a slice or two of cheese to make it more brunch-y!
Turkey Casserole
If you're bored of soups but want to make something easy with all those Thanksgiving leftovers, you should make this turkey casserole! With just one pot, you can make this decadent casserole that will please the whole family.
Add in your choice of veggies, carrots, plenty of heavy cream, and of course, leftover turkey! If you have any leftover ham, I recommend adding some of that in as well. It'll add a lovely saltiness to the turkey casserole.
More Leftover Recipes You'll Enjoy
- Brussels sprout soup: Rather than heating up these greens, cook them into a rich and delicious soup! This recipe has to be one of my favorite soups to enjoy during the holidays.
- Garlic mashed potatoes: With those leftover cooked potatoes, you can easily turn them into these wonderfully garlic-y mashed potatoes. Enjoy them with leftover turkey or a simple chicken dish.
- Leftover stuffing waffles: Thanks to a hot waffle press, these stuffing waffles are crisp on the outside and fluffy inside. Cover them with gravy or gooey melted cheese for a savory brunch.
- Turkey gravy: Rather than throwing away the drippings from the leftover turkey, cook it with flour to make an incredible gravy!
- Turkey giblet gravy: It can be tough to know what to do with giblets, but you can easily and quickly turn them into a flavorful gravy that pairs well with mashed potatoes.
- Cranberry sauce: Top any of these dishes with cranberry sauce for a tart flavor that will cut through any decadence.
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How long is leftover turkey good in the refrigerator?
It will last for up to 4 days.
Can you freeze cooked turkey after 4 days?
I would recommend freezing cooked turkey as soon as possible to prevent any food-borne illnesses. Turkey tends to go bad after 4 days, so I would give the turkey a smell test first.
What to do with dry leftover turkey breast?
Cook it in a saucy recipe like a pot pie or casserole.
How to reheat leftover turkey without drying it out?
Add some stock or butter to the turkey when reheating to add moisture.
What can I do with leftover turkey fat?
Use it to make gravy, or freeze it in cubes for a flavor booster.
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