A ton of delicious uses for leftover turkey! These easy leftover turkey recipes will transform your holiday leftovers into tasty casseroles, soups, pasta dishes, and so much more.
I know — eating turkey for days after a holiday can get old fast. But with a little creativity you can turn that leftover Thanksgiving or Christmas turkey into entirely new meals that don’t taste like reheated leftovers.
There are countless tasty ways to use leftover turkey: casseroles, soups, pastas, handhelds, and even breakfast dishes. Pulled or chopped turkey mixes easily with other ingredients so you can stretch a small amount of meat into several meals, reduce food waste, and save money.
Pro tip: If you don’t have enough turkey, mix in some shredded rotisserie chicken to stretch recipes without losing flavor.
Ready for ideas? Here are 47 simple, delicious ways to reinvent leftover turkey so your family will think you planned it all along.
What can I make with leftover turkey?
1. Turkey Waffles with Maple and Bacon
If you love chicken and waffles, try turkey waffles for a fun twist. Shredded turkey folded into a savory waffle batter and topped with bacon and maple makes a creative breakfast or brunch.
2. Leftover Turkey Mushroom Meatballs
Combine chopped turkey with mushrooms and seasonings for easy, healthy meatballs. Serve with marinara, gravy, or over pasta.
3. Easy and Quick Turkey Pot Pie
A creamy turkey pot pie is rich and impressive but simple to prepare. It’s a great way to use turkey with peas, carrots, and a flaky crust.
4. Turkey Calzones
Turn turkey into calzones or turnovers for a handheld meal. Add cheese and vegetables and bake or air-fry for a comforting dinner.
5. Turkey Cranberry Sliders
Combine turkey with cranberry sauce on slider buns for a sweet-and-savory snack that uses up both meat and sauce.
6. Turkey Potato Cakes
Mix shredded turkey with mashed potatoes, form patties, and pan-fry until crispy. These potato-turkey cakes are comfort food at its best.
7. Turkey Curry
Give your turkey a whole new flavor profile with a simple curry. Simmer turkey with tomatoes, coconut milk, and spices for a fragrant one-pan meal.
8. Leftover Turkey Nachos
Top tortilla chips with shredded turkey, cheese, cranberry salsa, and any leftover veggies for a festive twist on nachos.
9. Ultimate Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Sandwich
Stack turkey, stuffing, gravy, and cranberry sauce on thick bread for an indulgent, satisfying sandwich next morning.
10. Turkey Salad
Shred turkey and mix with mayo, celery, and seasonings for a simple sandwich spread or salad—only a few ingredients are needed.
11. Creamed Turkey Over Biscuits
Make a quick cream sauce with pan drippings or stock, add shredded turkey, and spoon over warm biscuits for classic comfort food.
12. Two-Ingredient Baked Turkey Croquettes
Mix turkey with stuffing, roll in breadcrumbs, and bake for quick croquettes you can freeze for later meals.
13. Cranberry Turkey Enchiladas
Swap typical enchilada fillings for turkey and cranberry for a surprisingly delicious sweet-and-savory casserole.
14. Turkey Wild Rice Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms
Fill large mushroom caps with a creamy turkey and wild rice mixture for elegant appetizers or a light main.
15. Easy Leftover Turkey Egg Rolls
Combine turkey with cabbage and carrots, wrap in egg roll wrappers, and bake or fry for a crunchy, portable snack.
16. Turkey Monte Cristo Sandwich
A Monte Cristo with turkey and ham, dipped in batter and pan-fried, served with jam is an over-the-top yet simple way to elevate leftovers.
17. BBQ Leftover Turkey Pizza
Top pizza crust with barbecue sauce, shredded turkey, red onion, and cheese for an easy, crowd-pleasing meal.
18. Turkey Cranberry Crescent Braid
Use crescent roll dough to braid turkey, cheese, and cranberry sauce into an attractive, oven-ready braid.
19. Turkey Crunchwrap Supreme
Layer turkey, cheese, crunchy chips, and fillings into tortillas, fold into a wrap, and pan-sear for a fun, hand-held meal.
20. Slow Cooker Turkey Marsala
Slow-cook turkey breast in a rich marsala sauce until tender. It’s an easy, elegant dish that practically cooks itself.
21. Thanksgiving Pizza
Layer pizza dough with mashed potatoes, turkey, stuffing, and cheese for a novelty pie that captures all the holiday flavors.
22. Turkey Poutine
Top fries with turkey, gravy, and cheese curds for a Canadian-inspired twist that’s rich and satisfying.
23. Leftover Turkey Tacos
Warm shredded turkey with taco seasoning and serve in tortillas with your favorite toppings for a quick weeknight dinner.
24. Turkey Reuben
Make a “Rachel” by swapping corned beef for turkey, layering with sauerkraut and Swiss, and grilling like a grilled cheese.
Pasta Dishes and Leftover Turkey Casserole Ideas
25. Leftover Christmas Pasta Bake
Toss leftover meat, vegetables, and cheese with pasta, top with more cheese, and bake. It freezes well for future meals.
26. Leftover Turkey Pasta Skillet
Sauté turkey with vegetables and a sauce, then toss with pasta for a fast, one-skillet dinner.
27. Thanksgiving Leftovers Casserole
Layer turkey, stuffing, veggies, and gravy in a casserole dish for an easy, comforting bake that uses up a variety of leftovers.
28. Keto Turkey Casserole
Make a low-carb casserole with turkey, vegetables, a creamy keto sauce, and cheese for a crustless comfort dish.
29. Turkey and Stuffing Casserole
Combine turkey, stuffing, green beans, and a creamy binder for a classic-flavored casserole everyone recognizes and loves.
30. Turkey Noodle Casserole
Mix turkey with pasta, a creamy soup base, cheese, and bake until bubbly for an easy crowd-pleaser.
31. Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe
A creamy baked pasta with mushrooms, peas, Parmesan, and diced turkey—rich, hearty, and perfect for the freezer.
32. Leftover Turkey Pasta Salad
Toss turkey with pasta, fresh vegetables, and a sweet-spicy dressing for a make-ahead pasta salad that travels well.
33. Turkey Spaghetti Casserole
Combine spaghetti, a creamy sauce, cheese, and chopped turkey, then bake for a family-friendly “Turketti” casserole.
34. Turkey, Bacon, and Brussels Sprout Mac and Cheese
Add leftover turkey, crispy bacon, and roasted Brussels sprouts to macaroni and cheese for a savory, slightly bitter balance that works wonderfully.
35. Turkey and Mashed Potatoes Casserole
Top turkey and gravy with mashed potatoes and bake for an easy shepherd’s-pie-style casserole.
36. Holiday Leftover Strata
Layer bread, turkey, cheese, bacon, and cranberry sauce, pour over an egg mixture, and bake for a savory-sweet strata ideal for brunch.
37. Turkey Ragu
Simmer turkey with tomatoes and aromatics to make a ragu that works well over pasta, rice, or potatoes and freezes beautifully.
Turkey Soups & Stews
38. Turkey Ramen
Poach turkey in a simple stock and add noodles, greens, and an egg for a cozy turkey ramen bowl.
39. Instant Pot Turkey Chili
Make a spicy, hearty chili with turkey, beans, corn, and chiles—perfect for cold nights and easy in a pressure cooker.
40. Turkey and Dumplings Soup
Use turkey and leftover stuffing to make dumplings, and simmer in rich turkey broth for a comforting, filling soup.
41. Turkey Corn Chowder
A sweet corn chowder with chunks of turkey is quick to prepare and very satisfying.
42. Turkey Noodle Soup
Classic turkey noodle soup with vegetables and egg noodles is a light, restorative meal after a big holiday spread.
43. Creamy Turkey Soup with Spinach
A rich, creamy soup with turkey and fresh spinach makes a flavorful alternative to plain sandwiches.
44. Turkey and Lentil Soup
Lentils add texture and protein; combine them with turkey and vegetables for a quick, nourishing soup that cooks in about 30 minutes.
45. Turkey Tortilla Soup
Build a lively tortilla soup with turkey, black beans, corn, chiles, and crisp tortilla strips on top.
46. Creamy Turkey Wild Rice Soup
A hearty soup with wild rice, mushrooms, carrots, and turkey in a light creamy broth—perfect for chilly days.
47. Turkey Gumbo
Use turkey in a flavorful gumbo to dramatically change the flavor profile. It’s a bold, comforting option that works year-round using chicken stock and shredded chicken if needed.
FAQ
How long is leftover turkey good for in the fridge?
Leftover turkey is generally safe in the refrigerator for 3–4 days. Use or freeze it within that window for best quality and food safety.
Can you freeze leftover turkey?
Yes. Freeze cooked turkey in airtight containers or freezer bags for up to about 3 months for best quality. Vacuum sealing or airtight packaging extends freezer life and prevents freezer burn.
How do you store leftover turkey?
Store turkey in zipper-style bags or airtight containers with tight-fitting lids. Cool the turkey to room temperature (no more than two hours after cooking) before refrigerating or freezing.
Ready to try some creative leftover turkey recipes?
I hope this list gives you plenty of inspiration for turning one big holiday meal into several delicious new dishes. The hardest part is choosing which recipe to make first. Which leftover turkey idea will you try?
47 Easy Leftover Turkey Recipes (that everyone actually wants to eat)
A ton of delicious uses for leftover turkey! These easy leftover turkey recipes will transform your holiday leftovers into tasty casseroles, soups, pasta dishes, and so much more.
Ingredients
- Turkey Waffles with Maple and Bacon
- Turkey Mushroom Meatballs
- Easy Turkey Pot Pie
- Turkey Calzones
- Turkey Cranberry Sliders
- Potato Cakes
- Turkey Curry
- Leftover Turkey Nachos
- Ultimate Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Sandwich
- Turkey Salad Sandwich
- Creamed Turkey Over Biscuits
- Baked Turkey Croquettes
- Cranberry Turkey Enchiladas
- Turkey Wild Rice Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms
- Easy Leftover Turkey Egg Rolls
- Turkey Monte Cristo Sandwich
- BBQ Turkey Pizza
- Cranberry Turkey Crescent Braid
- Crunchwrap Supreme
- Slow Cooker Turkey Marsala
- Thanksgiving Pizza
- Turkey Poutine
- Leftover Turkey Tacos
- Turkey Reuben
- Leftover Christmas Pasta Bake
- Turkey Pasta Skillet
- Thanksgiving Leftovers Casserole
- Keto Turkey Casserole
- Turkey and Stuffing Casserole
- Turkey Noodle Casserole
- Turkey Tetrazzini
- Leftover Turkey Pasta Salad
- Spaghetti Casserole
- Turkey, Bacon, and Brussels Sprout Mac and Cheese
- Turkey and Mashed Potatoes Casserole
- Holiday Leftover Strata
- Turkey Ragu
- Turkey Ramen
- Instant Pot Turkey Chili
- Turkey and Dumplings Soup
- Turkey Corn Chowder
- Turkey Noodle Soup
- Creamy Turkey Soup with Spinach
- Turkey and Lentil Soup
- Tortilla Soup
- Creamy Wild Rice Soup
- Turkey Gumbo
Instructions
- Decide which recipes you’d like to make with your leftover turkey.
- Gather the ingredients and prepare each recipe according to your preferred method.
- Serve and enjoy your new, delicious meals.
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