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    Home » Recipes » Main Dishes » Poultry Recipes

    Published: Nov 14, 2024 · Modified: Jan 27, 2025 by AshleyFreeman ·

    20 Recipe Ideas For Leftover Roasted or Smoked Turkey

    If you're looking for exciting leftover roasted turkey or leftover smoked turkey recipe ideas, you've come to the right place! I've collected my favorite ways to reinvent those leftovers so that delicious turkey you spent hours slaving over doesn't go to waste.

    From comforting soups and stews to hearty casseroles and even some fun appetizers, I've got you covered!

    Collage of 9 of the 20 recipe ideas for leftover cooked turkey.

    If you're anything like me, you suffer from FORO--the fear of running out (of food). Without fail, I always worry that that there won't be enough to feed all the guests coming to dinner, no matter how much planning I do. As a result, we have TONS of leftovers.

    But you know what? I'm okay with that. Leftovers the next day are almost better than the actual dinner. However, after a day or two of eating Thanksgiving dinner or Christmas dinner...again..., I'm over it. Time to reinvent that turkey into something entirely different.

    But before we get to that, you may be looking for the perfect turkey to make for Thanksgiving or Christmas. Well, I've got a fantastic recipe for spatchcock turkey that'll knock your socks off.

    Not only is the turkey super moist and flavorful from a butter and beer injection, it also only takes about an hour and a half to bake. It's a game changer--seriously.

    Okay, now that you've got the best turkey recipe, let's get to how to use up those Thanksgiving leftovers!

    Jump to:
    • The Best Leftover Turkey Recipes
    • Frequently asked questions
    • More Holiday Recipes

    The Best Leftover Turkey Recipes

    Check out these delicious recipes that use up leftover turkey. You can also substitute leftover cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken if you want to make the recipe but don't have turkey!

    Creamy White Bean and Turkey Chili

    This is a great instant pot recipe, combining white beans, tender turkey, some go-to Mexican spices, green chiles, and jarred salsa verde for that "not sure what that is, but it's delicious" flavor. A little cream cheese stirred in at the end makes this the ultimate comforting, creamy soup.

    Two blue bowls with White Bean and Turkey Chili topped with avocado, tortilla chips, and cilantro on a rattan tray with a blue checked napkin and silver spoons.

    Shortcut Brunswick Stew

    This is my all-time favorite stew because it reminds me of my childhood--it's a dish I grew up eating. BBQ is such an important part of Southern cuisine and every BBQ joint in town had their own version of it. My original recipe calls for shredded smoked chicken, but roasted or smoked turkey is perfect too.

    A red handled Dutch oven of Shortcut Brunswick Stew on top of a wooden board with a small bowl of chopped parsley and cream colored towel off to the side.

    Turkey Cobbler with Red Lobster Biscuits

    This is the ultimate one skillet dinner--a perfect solution for busy weeknights when you have no idea what to cook! My original recipe idea calls for rotisserie chicken, but you can definitely use turkey instead. The no-fuss Red Lobster cheddar biscuit topping is a great complement to the creamy filling.

    Turkey cobbler with Red Lobster biscuits in a teal handled enamel skillet with a yellow checkered towel and a white spoon inside the skillet.

    Turkey and Shrimp Fried Rice

    This is another recipe where I call for cooked chicken, but there's no reason why you couldn't use turkey. I love this application for using up leftovers since it's another one-skillet meal, and it's ready in less than 30 minutes.

    Turkey or Chicken and Shrimp Fried Rice in blue floral bowls, one with chopsticks on the side, along with a small white bowl of sliced green onions and a wok of fried rice.

    Harvest Grain Bowl

    If you overdid it for the holiday meal, this veggie-packed dish is a great recipe to make you feel better. It's a kitchen sink type of bowl recipe that combines leftover turkey (or chicken), quinoa, roasted sweet potatoes, greens, and more, and is drizzled with a homemade vinaigrette.

    White bowl on a wicker placemat with a silver fork and sliced chicken, feta, quinoa, salad greens, pickled red onions, red beans, roasted sweet potatoes, and cilantro in the bowl.

    Sassy Scotty Turkey Salad Sandwiches (Inspired by Chicken Salad Chick)

    My copycat Chicken Salad Chick Sassy Scotty chicken salad recipe is a great way to use up that leftover turkey. Simply shred the turkey and combine with ranch, Cheddar cheese, and bacon. Serve it on croissants or atop salad greens. You'll love it!

    Sassy Scotty chicken salad (or turkey salad) on croissants on blue rimmed plates with red grapes.

    Turkey and Stuffing Bagels

    There's nothing like Thanksgiving turkey sandwiches made from leftover turkey, cranberry sauce, leftover stuffing (dressing). This version has a unique twist--it's served panini-style on a bagel. Feel free to use your favorite type of bread and substitute Havarti or Cheddar for the Wensleydale cheese called for.

    A hand holding a panini-style bagel and turkey sandwich with sliced turkey, stuffing, cheese, and cranberry sauce.

    Turkey Sliders

    Here's another Thanksgiving sandwich, but in slider form. These are like those tailgate ham and Swiss sandwiches with the onion and poppyseed sauce that gets poured over the top of the Hawaiian rolls. If you've got family over to watch football, this is a great snack to serve!

    A stack of turkey sliders on Hawaiian rolls on a wooden cutting board.

    Leftover Turkey Nachos

    Everyone loves nachos, so this is sure to be a hit! With black beans, pico de gallo, melty cheese, avocado, fresh cilantro, and your other favorite toppings, this Mexican twist on turkey leftovers can be served as an appetizer or a main dish.

    A silver rimmed baking sheet filled with leftover turkey nachos.

    Air Fryer Thanksgiving Egg Rolls

    This is one of the most delicious ways to give new life to Thanksgiving turkey and all the sides. The entire holiday dinner--turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and cranberry sauce are wrapped up and fried until crispy. You even use leftover gravy as the dipping sauce!

    A pile of leftover Thanksgiving egg rolls with the one on top sliced in half to reveal the filling.

    Turkey and Dumplings

    Chicken and dumplings is one of my favorite comfort foods, so you know this recipe is a winner in my book. What I love about this version of turkey and dumplings is that the turkey is used in the stew portion and leftover mashed potatoes are used to make the dumplings. It's genius!

    Two hands holding a white bowl of turkey and dumplings.

    Leftover Turkey Wild Rice Soup

    What a perfect way to embrace soup season--with your holiday turkey leftovers. This one-pot meal is ready in about 35 minutes and is jam-packed with fresh veggies. It's also gluten-free, so that's a bonus if you stay away from wheat.

    A speckled white bowl of turkey and wild rice soup with two spoons off to the side.

    Turkey Quinoa Soup

    This is another healthy turkey soup recipe but with quinoa and other fresh vegetables like kale and zucchini. This soup also freezes well so it's a great make-ahead meal to keep on-hand for nights when you don't feel like cooking.

    A white bowl of turkey quinoa soup with a silver spoon inside the bowl and a striped towel off to the side.

    Turkey, Chickpea, and Apricot Stew

    This stew reminds me of tagine with its warm spices and addition of apricots, almonds, and chickpeas. For me, the perfect accompaniment is couscous to soak up all those delicious juices.

    A white handled Dutch oven filled with turkey, apricot, and almond stew with a small bowl of sliced almonds off to the side.

    Leftover Turkey Pot Pie with Puff Pastry Crust

    This pot pie is a more sophisticated, richer version of my skillet cobbler with biscuit topping. The filling is enhanced with heavy cream, white wine, and sherry, and a flaky puff pastry crust makes it feel special.

    A gray plate with a serving of turkey pot pie with puff pastry crust on top and a silver fork to the side.

    Creamy and Noodle Turkey Casserole

    This homey leftover turkey casserole with shell pasta is great for the whole family.  The filling is enhanced with heavy cream, white wine, sherry,  and fresh herbs, and a flaky puff pastry crust makes it feel special. Frozen veggies help it come together quickly.

    A red handled pan filled with creamy turkey and noodle casserole with a wooden spoon.

    Turkey Tetrazzini

    This is not your basic turkey tetrazzini--this recipe is packed with colorful veggies including broccoli and red bell pepper. The creamy sauce is also enhanced by crispy, salty bacon. Yum!

    A fork lifting up a bite of turkey tetrazzini.

    Turkey and Spinach Lasagna Rolls

    If you love lasagna, but you don't love how long it takes to make, then these lasagna rolls are for you. They are a game-changer for busy weeknights. Instead of layering the lasagna, all the ingredients are rolled up in single noodles, reducing the prep time significantly.

    A metal spatula lifting up a turkey lasagna roll from a white casserole dish.

    Turkey Enchiladas

    If Mexican is what you're craving, then you'll want to give this easy one-pan enchilada recipe a try. Leftover turkey is rolled up in flour tortillas with the other filling ingredients and then dipped and topped with enchilada sauce before getting a sprinkle of cheese. This recipe is a family favorite for sure.

    A white casserole dish filled with turkey enchiladas and bowls of red onion, sour cream, cilantro, and avocado off to the side.

    Leftover Turkey Shepherd’s Pie

    Finally, this turkey take on a shepherd's pie is a great way to use up those leftovers. The filling is flavored with Guinness (what's not to love about that?!), and you can either use leftover mashed potatoes for the topping or follow the instructions for from-scratch mashed potatoes in the recipe.

    A yellow handled skillet filled with turkey shepherd's pie, a yellow plaid napkin, and a bottle of Guinness in the background.

    Frequently asked questions

    How long is leftover Thanksgiving turkey safe to eat?

    If stored properly in the fridge, leftovers are good for 3 to 4 days after the turkey has been cooked.

    Can you freeze leftover turkey?

    Yes! Be sure to freeze up to 3 to 4 days after the turkey was cooked. Slice the turkey and store in a freezer-safe airtight container for up to 6 months.

    Our roasted turkey ended up being really dry. Is it still okay to use as leftovers in these recipes?

    Absolutely. Just add a little chicken broth or fat to the recipe if it's called for. You can also soak the turkey meat in some warm broth.

    How do you know if smoked turkey has gone bad?

    The first clue that the turkey has gone bad is the smell. If it smells bad, then toss it out. If it's on the slimy side too, then through it out.

    Is it okay if turkey is a little pink?

    Yes. As long as the turkey was cooked to 165°F, it is safe to eat.

    More Holiday Recipes

    Here are more of my favorite holiday-inspired recipes:

    • Sliced Spatchcock Turkey on an oval platter with a plain table runner, gold and wooden serving knife and fork, a gravy boat, salt and pepper shakers, and a cream colored plate off to the side.
      Spatchcock Turkey and Gravy (With or Without Poultry Shears)
    • Honey, Butter, and Beer Turkey Injection Marinade in a glass jar on top of a wooden board with a wooden handled spoon on the surface and a striped towel behind it.
      Honey, Butter, and Beer Injection Marinade Recipe
    • Air Fryer Dressing in a white casserole dish with a silver serving spoon.
      Easy Southern Dressing (Stuffing) in the Air Fryer
    • Jiffy corn muffin mix sweet potato cornbread in a large cast iron skillet on a wire rack with a wooden handled scooper and a mustard yellow checked cloth on the handle.
      Sweet Potato Cornbread (with Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix)

    More Poultry Recipes

    • Wooden bowl filled with creamy chicken macaroni salad with ceramic serving spoons, an orange checked cloth, two yellow glasses filled with ice water, and one pottery plate topped with a serving to the side.
      The Best Creamy Macaroni Pasta Salad with Chicken
    • White oval Dutch oven filled with creamy Boursin lemon pasta with chicken and peas on top of a wooden board with a small bowl of chopped parsley, a small bowl of Parmesan cheese, and a yellow checked linen napkin.
      Creamy Boursin Lemon Pasta with Chicken and Peas
    • A dark wooden cutting board topped with triangles of jerk chicken quesadillas with a teal enamel bowl filled with pineapple salsa on the side and a stack of plates with some quesadillas on top.
      Jerk Chicken Quesadillas with Pineapple Salsa
    • Two blue-rimmed white bowls filled with Anne's Chicken and Dumplings on a wooden chevron surface with a pair of salt and pepper shakers, a blue linen, and yellow glasses of ice water.
      Southern Chicken and Dumplings with Anne's Dumplings

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    Photo of Ashley Strickland Freeman in a kitchen.

    Hi, I'm Ashley, "your best friend in the kitchen." I'm a food stylist, culinary producer, editor, travel junkie, and author of The Duke's Mayonnaise Cookbook from Charleston, SC. Thanks for stopping by Little Black Skillet!

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