15 Leftover Turkey Recipes (2024)

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Best Leftover Turkey Recipes Substitute Chicken with Leftover Turkey in these Recipes Turkey Recipes More Holiday Recipes Did You Make Any of These Recipes with Turkey Leftovers? 15 Ways to Use Leftover Turkey Description Ingredients Instructions Nutrition FAQs

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It's no surprise that after a big holiday dinner like Thanksgiving or Christmas, you will end up with a lot of turkey leftovers. And having a lot of leftovers doesn't mean that you have to eat turkey and mashed potatoes all week long. You can use leftover turkey and completely transform it in a new and delicious recipe. So if you are wondering "what to make with leftover turkey", then you are in the right place. We are sharing over 10 of our best and most popular leftover turkey recipes including soups, pasta, rice, sandwiches, and more!

15 Leftover Turkey Recipes (1)

Best Leftover Turkey Recipes

Turkey Potato Chowder

Leftover turkey potato chowder is a creamy, savory, and delicious soup that is loaded with holiday leftovers. Quick and easy, ready in under 30 minutes.

Turkey Tetrazzini with Spinach

Creamy leftover turkey tetrazzini with spinach is a simple, easy and delicious pasta recipe that is comforting, creamy and cheesy. It's a family favourite.

Leftover Turkey Stuffed Bell Peppers

Leftover turkey stuffed peppers are a nutritious, wholesome and healthy dinner that you can throw together easily and quickly. A total crowd-pleaser and delicious Thanksgiving leftover recipe.

Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Sandwich with Cranberry Sauce

Looking for comfort food in a hand-held serving? You got it! Put those leftovers to good use in this leftover Thanksgiving turkey sandwich with cranberry sauce.

Creamy Turkey Gnocchi Soup

Creamy turkey gnocchi soup is the ultimate comfort food — creamy, rich, and delicious, made with good carbs, clean protein, and veggies in 25 minutes.

Leftover Turkey Fried Rice

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Leftover turkey fried rice with turkey, fluffy rice, scrambled eggs, vegetables, and classic Asian seasonings is a one skillet meal made in just 10 minutes.

Turkey Wild Rice Soup

Wholesome hearty one pot leftover turkey wild rice soup is the most comforting way to use leftover turkey from Thanksgiving turkey dinner. So easy to make.

Buffalo Turkey Wraps

Quick easy buffalo turkey wraps with homemade buffalo sauce are flavorful, spicy, and delicious. A healthy lunch that will keep you full until dinner.

Turkey Enchiladas

Turkey Enchiladas are a cheesy, filling, and comforting meal that is quick and easy to make using a handful of ingredients including leftover turkey.

Coconut Turkey Curry

Coconut turkey curry is creamy, rich, and flavorful. This delicious curry is the perfect recipe to make when you have turkey leftovers, ready in 30 minutes!

Creamy Turkey Orzo Soup

Warm and cozy, creamy turkey orzo soup is wholesome, hearty, filling, and flavourful. Make this delicious one pot meal with leftover turkey in 30 minutes. One of my favorite ways to use Thanksgiving leftovers.

Leftover Turkey Salad

This Leftover Turkey Salad is a creamy and filling salad that is quick and easy to make — and your new go-to recipe for using Thanksgiving leftovers!

15 Leftover Turkey Recipes (13)

Substitute Chicken with Leftover Turkey in these Recipes

White Chicken Chili

White chicken chili is an easy and delicious one pot meal made with shredded chicken, hearty veggies, and a creamy broth that's loaded with flavor.

BBQ Chicken Pizza

Forget delivery and make sweet, tangy, and smoky BBQ chicken pizza from the comfort of your own home in under 30 minutes. The easiest weeknight dinner.

See Also
My Favorite Low Carb Recipes

15 Leftover Turkey Recipes (15)

Vietnamese Summer Rolls

Vietnamese summer rolls with chicken are fresh, light, and healthy. This Asian summer snack takes less than 20 minutes to make and easier than you think.

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Hearty chicken tortilla soup is a delicious, wholesome and filling soup that you can make in about 30 minutes, packed with classic Mexican flavours.

Turkey Recipes

Are you planning ahead for the Turkey leftovers, even before your Thanksgiving dinner or Christmas dinner? Well then try any of our favorite turkey recipes to use in these leftover recipes.

  • Juiciest Whole Roast Turkey
  • Roasted Turkey Breast
  • Slow Cooker Turkey Breast
  • Instant Pot Turkey Breast
  • Asian Five-Spice Roast Turkey
  • Roasted Turkey Legs
  • Instant Pot Turkey Thighs
  • Soy Glazed Braised Turkey Breast with Five-Spice

More Holiday Recipes

  • 25 Best Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes
  • Easy Thanksgiving Menu
  • Best Christmas Recipes and Menu
  • 60+ Fall Dinner Ideas
  • 60+ Winter Dinner Ideas
  • 30 Best Thanksgiving Appetizers
  • 50 Best Thanksgiving Side Dishes

Did You Make Any of These Recipes with Turkey Leftovers?

Please leave a comment and rating below, and let me know what you thought of these leftover turkey recipes. Be sure to snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @aheadofthyme or share it on the Pinterest pin so that I can follow along.

HUNGRY FOR MORE? Don't forget to sign up for my email newsletter so that you don't miss any recipes. You can also follow along on Instagram and Pinterest for more recipe updates.

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15 Leftover Turkey Recipes (18)

15 Ways to Use Leftover Turkey

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  • Author: Sam Hu | Ahead of Thyme
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4-6 servings
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Description

Over 15 of our best and most popular leftover turkey recipes to transform those turkey leftovers into soups, pasta, rice, sandwiches, and more!

Ingredients

  • leftover turkey

Instructions

  1. Creamy Turkey Orzo Soup
  2. Turkey Tetrazzini with Spinach
  3. Leftover Turkey Stuffed Bell Peppers
  4. Turkey Potato Chowder
  5. Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Sandwich with Cranberry Sauce
  6. Leftover Turkey Fried Rice
  7. Turkey Wild Rice Soup
  8. Buffalo Turkey Wraps
  9. White Chicken Chili (with leftover turkey instead)
  10. BBQ Chicken Pizza (with leftover turkey instead)
  11. Vietnamese Summer Rolls (with leftover turkey instead)
  12. Chicken Tortilla Soup (with leftover turkey instead)
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Turkey
  • Method: Various
  • Cuisine: Various

Nutrition

  • Calories: 310

15 Leftover Turkey Recipes (19)

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15 Leftover Turkey Recipes (2024)

FAQs

How long does leftover turkey last in the fridge? ›

USDA recommends using cooked turkey within 3 to 4 days, kept refrigerated (40°F or less). Refrigeration slows but does not stop bacterial growth. Turkey can be frozen for 3 to 4 months. Although safe indefinitely, frozen leftovers can lose moisture and flavor when stored for longer times in the freezer.

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How many people will a 14 pound turkey feed? ›

8 to 10 people = 8- to 15-lb. turkey. 12 to 16 people = 12- to 24-lb. turkey.

Learn More ›
What is turkey tetrazzini made of? ›

It's a baked pasta recipe using a creamy, cheesy white wine sauce as the base. Cooked spaghetti, mushrooms, green peas, black olives, turkey, and bacon make up the bulk of the casserole and then it gets topped with panko breadcrumbs.

See Details ›
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.

Find Out More ›
Is it OK to eat turkey that's been in the fridge for 2 weeks? ›

Storing Leftover Turkey

Use refrigerated turkey and stuffing within 3 to 4 days. Use gravy within 1 to 2 days. If freezing, use leftovers within 2 to 6 months for best quality.

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Is a 3 year old frozen turkey still good? ›

Turkey can be safely stored in the freezer indefinitely, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

View Details ›
Is 15 lb turkey enough for 15 people? ›

The general rule of thumb is 1–1½ pounds turkey per person. If that seems like a lot, remember that a whole turkey comes with a lot of parts that don't end up getting eaten. “When you buy a whole turkey, a lot of it is bone,” says recipe developer (and former BA staffer) Jessie YuChen.

Find Out More ›
How many does a 15 lb turkey serve? ›

How to Figure Out How Much Turkey Per Person
Number of GuestsTurkey Weight–
1013lbs
1215lbs
1520lbs
2025lbs
4 more rows
Nov 21, 2022

Tell Me More ›
How many will a 15 lb turkey feed? ›

For turkeys smaller than 16 pounds, estimate 1 pound per serving (this accounts for bone weight). For larger birds, a bit less is fine; they have a higher meat-to-bone ratio. But if your goal is to have ample leftovers, aim for 1½ pounds per person whatever the turkey's size.

Get More Info ›
What is pasta called in turkey? ›

Turkish Makarna (Pasta)

Read The Full Story ›

What is spatch cooked turkey? ›

Spatchco*cking is a non-gimmicky way to get you to perfectly cooked turkey—fast. Also known as butterflying, the technique involves removing the backbone and flattening the bird for cooking.

Get More Info ›
How do chefs reheat turkey? ›

How to reheat turkey
  1. Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4.
  2. Carve the turkey breast meat into thin slices and carve the leg meat off the bone. Lay in a roasting tin or gratin dish. ...
  3. Cover the dish tightly with foil and roast for 30 mins until the turkey is very hot – at least 75C on a cooking thermometer.

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How to make leftover turkey moist? ›

Place the turkey pieces in a baking dish and drizzle with a few tablespoons of stock and/or butter. Cover the dish with foil and heat in the oven at 350°F for about 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can microwave the sliced turkey (cover with a damp paper towel) in a microwave-safe dish at 50% power in 1-minute intervals.

Learn More ›
How do I make leftover turkey moist again? ›

Place your carved meat in a shallow baking dish and cover it with stock. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and place in low oven, somewhere around 250 degrees, for 5-10 minutes. The dryness won't be entirely gone after this short broth bath, but the turkey will definitely be more moist than before.

Keep Reading ›
Is turkey still good after 7 days in fridge? ›

When stored in the refrigerator, turkey does not last as long. Snyder points to the USDA FoodKeeper app for best guidance: The tool notes that refrigerated, cooked turkey should be eaten within 4 days.

Find Out More ›
Can you eat turkey 5 days after Thanksgiving? ›

Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for three to four days, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service. Turkey typically lasts up to four days in the fridge before it goes bad.

Show Me More ›
Is it safe to eat leftover turkey after 6 days? ›

The answer is simple: leftovers can be kept in the refrigerator for three to four days. This means you have until the Monday after Thanksgiving to eat all those delicious leftovers or place them in the freezer to enjoy later. If you store leftovers in the freezer, they will be of best quality within 2-6 months.

Tell Me More ›
Can you reheat cooked turkey after 5 days? ›

Safety tips for reheating turkey

Cold, cooked turkey meat will keep in the fridge for up to four days, but always use your best judgement. Always reheat cold turkey until it's piping hot, not just warmed through. Only reheat cooked turkey once.

Read More ›
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