26 Irresistible Leftover Turkey Recipes: Creative Ways to Enjoy Your Holiday Feast All Week Long
The holidays are a time for feasting, family, and of course, a magnificent roasted turkey. While the main event is undeniably delicious, for many, the true culinary joy begins the day after, with the promise of transforming abundant leftovers into exciting new meals. Don’t let a single succulent piece of that Thanksgiving or Christmas turkey go to waste! Instead of merely reheating your plate, imagine a world of possibilities where your leftover turkey becomes the star of fresh, flavorful, and incredibly easy dishes.
From light and zesty salads to comforting and hearty soups, satisfying sandwiches, and creative casseroles, these 26 delicious ways to use up leftover turkey are designed to be a hit with your family. We’ve curated a collection that ensures there’s something for every palate and every meal of the day, making the most of your holiday bird. Get ready to elevate your post-holiday dining experience with these inspiring and simple recipes!
Embrace the Joy of Holiday Leftovers
For many, myself included, one of the best parts of the holiday season isn’t just the main meal, but the exciting potential of the leftovers. After preparing a grand feast, like a perfectly seasoned Herb Roasted Turkey or a flavorful Apple Cider Glazed Ham, you’re often left with plenty of delicious meat. This abundance offers a fantastic opportunity to get creative in the kitchen without starting from scratch. These recipes ensure your delicious turkey finds a second life, keeping the holiday spirit alive on your plate for days to come.
Smart Tips for Storing Your Leftover Turkey
Before diving into these incredible recipes, it’s crucial to ensure your leftover turkey is stored correctly to maintain its freshness and safety. Proper storage is key to enjoying your turkey for multiple days post-holiday.
- Cool Quickly: Don’t leave cooked turkey at room temperature for more than two hours. Divide large amounts into smaller portions to help them cool faster.
- Shred and Store: Once cooled, shred or slice the turkey meat from the bone. This makes it easier to use in various recipes and saves space.
- Airtight Containers: Store the turkey in shallow, airtight containers in the refrigerator. This prevents contamination and keeps it fresh.
- Refrigeration Lifespan: Cooked turkey is safe to eat for 3-4 days when properly refrigerated.
- Freezing for Longer: For longer storage, freeze your turkey in airtight bags or containers. It can last for several months, perfect for enjoying turkey beyond the immediate holiday season.
26 Delicious Ways to Transform Your Leftover Turkey
Get ready to revolutionize your post-holiday meals! Below you’ll find an inspiring collection of 26 recipes that breathe new life into your leftover turkey. From quick lunches to comforting dinners, these ideas are versatile and delicious. While some recipes might originally call for ground turkey or chicken, simply swap in your shredded leftover holiday turkey for an equally, if not more, flavorful result. Let’s make every last bit of that festive bird count!
26 Delicious Ways to Use Up Leftover Turkey
These 26 Delicious Ways to Use Up Leftover Turkey will be a hit with your family this holiday season. There is a little something for everyone from salads, to soups, to sandwiches and more. You don’t want any of that delicious Thanksgiving or Christmas turkey to go to waste!
Mediterranean Turkey Hummus Panini
Elevate your turkey sandwich game with this vibrant Mediterranean panini. Layers of savory turkey, creamy hummus, fresh vegetables, and perhaps a sprinkle of feta cheese are pressed between crispy bread, creating a warm, flavorful meal that’s far from a typical leftover sandwich.
Leftover Turkey Chili Recipe
Transform your holiday leftovers into a warm and comforting bowl of chili. This recipe combines tender shredded turkey with classic chili ingredients, creating a hearty and flavorful dish that’s perfect for a chilly evening and a fantastic way to use up that extra turkey.
Fragrant Moroccan Turkey Stew {Gluten-free, Meal Prep)
Infuse your leftover turkey with exotic flavors in this fragrant Moroccan stew. Packed with warming spices, vegetables, and tender turkey, this gluten-free recipe is perfect for meal prep, offering a delicious and healthy escape from traditional holiday tastes.
Turkey, Stuffing and Cranberry Sausage Rolls
Turn your classic holiday components into delightful handheld treats. These sausage rolls combine leftover turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce wrapped in flaky pastry, offering a fun and savory appetizer or light meal that’s perfect for sharing.
Creamy Turkey Soup with Mushrooms and Thyme – NeighborFood
Warm up with a bowl of this incredibly creamy turkey soup. Enriched with earthy mushrooms and aromatic thyme, this recipe is a delightful way to transform leftover turkey into a comforting and luxurious meal that feels both wholesome and indulgent.
Instant Pot Turkey Chili
For a quick and hearty post-holiday meal, this Instant Pot Turkey Chili is a lifesaver. It takes minimal effort to combine your shredded turkey with beans, tomatoes, and spices, yielding a rich, deeply flavored chili in a fraction of the time, perfect for busy weeknights.
Turkey Noodle Soup (Instant Pot or Slow Cooker) – The Recipe Rebel
A classic comfort food, turkey noodle soup is the ultimate cure for post-holiday blues. This recipe provides options for both Instant Pot and slow cooker methods, making it incredibly versatile to create a soothing, flavorful broth with tender turkey and noodles.
Turkey & Stuffing Air Fryer Egg Rolls
For a truly innovative take on leftovers, try these Turkey & Stuffing Air Fryer Egg Rolls. Crispy wrappers encase a delightful blend of savory turkey and aromatic stuffing, offering a crunchy, satisfying snack or appetizer that will surprise and delight your guests.
Roast Turkey and Cranberry Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
For a healthier and flavorful option, try stuffing sweet potatoes with your leftover roast turkey and cranberry sauce. This dish offers a delightful balance of savory and sweet, creating a wholesome and satisfying meal that utilizes classic holiday flavors in a fresh way.
Turkey Cranberry Grilled Cheese
Indulge in the ultimate post-holiday comfort with a Turkey Cranberry Grilled Cheese. This simple yet satisfying sandwich perfectly blends savory turkey with tangy cranberry sauce and gooey melted cheese between golden-brown bread, creating a harmonious and nostalgic flavor profile.
Turkey Apple Pasta Salad
Lighten things up with this refreshing Turkey Apple Pasta Salad. The combination of tender turkey, crisp apples, pasta, and a creamy dressing makes for a delightful and easy-to-prepare meal that’s perfect for lunch or a light dinner after heavy holiday fare.
Leftover Turkey Recipes: Turkey Gumbo
Bring the flavors of the South to your post-holiday table with this hearty Turkey Gumbo. This rich, spicy stew, featuring tender turkey and traditional Creole ingredients, is a wonderful way to transform leftovers into an exciting and deeply satisfying meal.
Simple Curry Turkey Salad (Adapt from Chicken)
Give your turkey leftovers an exotic twist with this simple and delicious Curry Turkey Salad. The aromatic spices of curry blend beautifully with the tender turkey, creating a vibrant and satisfying salad that’s perfect for sandwiches, wraps, or as a standalone dish.
Individual Turkey Pot Pies Recipe
Nothing says comfort like a warm pot pie, and these individual turkey pot pies are perfectly portioned. Filled with tender turkey and a creamy vegetable medley under a flaky crust, they’re an ideal way to enjoy a hearty, homemade meal with minimal fuss from your leftovers.
Brie Grilled Cheese with Turkey (great for leftover turkey!)
Add a touch of gourmet to your leftovers with this sophisticated Brie Grilled Cheese with Turkey. The rich, buttery notes of brie perfectly complement the savory turkey, creating a luxurious and comforting sandwich that’s far from ordinary.
Easy Turkey Sliders (Adapt from Chicken)
These Easy Turkey Sliders are a fantastic way to serve up smaller portions of your delicious holiday leftovers. Simply swap in your shredded turkey for the chicken to create savory, bite-sized sandwiches that are perfect for a casual meal or entertaining.
Turkey Salad Recipe
A timeless favorite, turkey salad is simple, refreshing, and incredibly versatile. This recipe offers a classic preparation with celery, mayonnaise, and seasonings, perfect for sandwiches, crackers, or a light lunch. It’s a staple for handling turkey leftovers with ease.
Turkey, Kale and Brown Rice Soup
For a nourishing and satisfying meal, this Turkey, Kale and Brown Rice Soup is an excellent choice. It’s packed with healthy greens, wholesome brown rice, and tender turkey, creating a hearty yet light soup that’s perfect for a post-holiday detox.
Easy Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe
A classic casserole favorite, this easy Turkey Tetrazzini is the perfect comfort food for using up leftover turkey. Creamy pasta, savory mushrooms, and tender turkey are baked to golden perfection, creating a satisfying and family-friendly meal.
Turkey Bacon Ranch Pizza
Turn pizza night into a leftover turkey celebration with this amazing Turkey Bacon Ranch Pizza. A creamy ranch base, savory turkey, crispy bacon, and melted cheese come together on a delicious crust for a crowd-pleasing and effortless dinner.
Slow Cooker Turkey Kale Lasagna Soup
Enjoy all the comforting flavors of lasagna in a convenient soup form with this Slow Cooker Turkey Kale Lasagna Soup. Tender turkey, hearty kale, and broken lasagna noodles simmer together in a rich tomato broth, creating a deeply satisfying meal that’s perfect for cool weather.
Italian Turkey Orzo Soup
Infuse your leftover turkey with Mediterranean flair in this delicious Italian Turkey Orzo Soup. A light yet flavorful broth, tender turkey, and tiny orzo pasta combine with vibrant vegetables for a comforting and aromatic soup that’s quick to prepare.
Crunchy Healthy Turkey Salad Recipe {Meal Prep, Gluten-Free, Low Carb, Keto}
For a wholesome and satisfying leftover option, this Crunchy Healthy Turkey Salad is a winner. It’s packed with fresh vegetables, crisp textures, and tender turkey, making it an ideal gluten-free, low-carb, and keto-friendly meal prep solution to keep you feeling light and energized.
Slow Cooker Turkey Chili
For an effortless and deeply flavorful meal, let your slow cooker do the work with this Turkey Chili. Tender shredded turkey simmers with beans, tomatoes, and spices, resulting in a rich, comforting chili that’s perfect for feeding a crowd or enjoying throughout the week.
Turkey Alfredo Stuffed Shells
Indulge in a creamy, comforting pasta dish with these Turkey Alfredo Stuffed Shells. Large pasta shells are generously filled with a blend of tender turkey and rich Alfredo sauce, then baked to perfection. It’s an elegant yet easy way to enjoy your holiday leftovers.
Apple Gouda Pesto Turkey Panini
Indulge in a sophisticated sandwich with this Apple Gouda Pesto Turkey Panini. The sweetness of apple, the nutty flavor of Gouda, and the aromatic pesto perfectly complement the savory turkey, creating a gourmet experience in every warm, pressed bite.
Never Waste a Delicious Bite Again!
The post-holiday period doesn’t have to mean boring or repetitive meals. With these 26 irresistible leftover turkey recipes, you have a treasure trove of culinary inspiration at your fingertips. From quick and easy lunches to satisfying dinners and even creative appetizers, your holiday turkey can continue to provide delicious and diverse meals for days. By repurposing your leftovers, you not only reduce food waste but also extend the joy and flavors of the holiday season. So go ahead, pick a recipe (or two!), get cooking, and savor every last bit of that festive turkey!