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