19 Leftover Turkey Recipes To Extend Your Thanksgiving Celebration (2024)

Leftover turkey recipes, anyone? Enjoy what’s left of your Thanksgiving dinner with these leftover turkey recipes. And of course, we’re doing it the yummy way!

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Leftover Turkey Recipes: Ways To Avoid Food Waste

Ever wake up the day after Thanksgiving and think, “What in heaven’s name do I do with all these turkey leftovers?” Here are terrific leftover turkey recipes. We’ve got pastries, soups, side dishes, and snacks. So you can still stretch the holidays and your Thanksgiving turkey leftovers.

1. Cheesy Turkey and Ranch Quesadillas

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This one’s a 2-step recipe. Slice your leftover turkey breast into pieces, then fold them into tortillas. Don’t forget to fold in some cheddar cheese and ranch dressing. And voila! You’ve got yourself a tasty turkey and ranch quesadilla. Easy-peasy!

2. Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Pesto Panini

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Would you look at this delicious stack of goodness! This turkey pesto panini made all the more special. How? By topping it with mozzarella, pesto, tomatoes, avocado slices, and of course, turkey. Truly a leftover turkey recipe that will you saying, “WOW!”

3. Turkey Tetrazzini With A Crunchy Topping

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What would happen if you throw in all your leftovers into a dish? You’ll get this amazing turkey tetrazzini dish. How great would it be to get a taste of all your favorite leftovers in a single bite?!

4.Crockpot Turkey And Rice Soup

A bowl of soothing, warm, and filling rice soup. Loaded with carrots, rice, egg noodles, and tender shredded leftover turkey. Hot or not, this turkey and rice soup hits the spot!

5.Ground Turkey Skillet with Green Beans

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Have yourself a guilt-free meal with this ground turkey skillet. Who can resist its chock-full ofgreen beans? Plus, it’s tasty and definitely effortlessto prepare.Mix it with rice or enjoy this dish as is.

6. Light Turkey And Corn Chowder

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Sipping this savory and warm turkeyand corn chowder will definitely make your day. It’s a light yet satisfying meal to cook for your family on a chilly evening. So take note of this leftover turkey recipe!

7. Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey And Sweet Potato Frittata

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Here’s aperfect balance of nutritious and delicious. Mix in some sweet potatoes with your leftover turkey to make a delicious frittata. It’s a must-try leftover turkey recipe that will have you asking for another skillet.

8. Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Pot Pie

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You can never go wrong with an extra creamy pot pie. Not when it’s stuffed with leftover turkey and juicy summer veggies. After trying this recipe, you’ll be cooking a turkey just to have a second batch of this wonderful pot pie.

9. Thanksgiving Pizza

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This pizza is the best way to turn Thanksgiving leftovers into one delicious meal. It’s topped with flavors from everything you had on Thanksgiving. Mashed potatoes, gravy, green bean casserole, stuffing, and chopped turkey. All mixed up and turned into a topping of a puff pastry.

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10. Cranberry Hazelnut Turkey Wellington

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Impress everyone with this super festive Turkey Wellington. The tangy flavor of cranberry and the nutty goodness of hazelnut are a perfect mixture. It will look like you spent hours in the kitchen. But actually, it’s a leftover turkey recipe that’s super easy and simple to make.

11. Turkey Taco Lettuce Wraps

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It’s time to show off your clean eating skills! Placeleftover turkey,chopped avocado, onions, and tomatoes in fresh lettuce leaves. You can also use any other greens! The result: turkey taco lettuce wraps, a tasty guilt-free meal!

12. Waffled Cranberry Turkey Sandwiches

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Waffle sandwiches stuffed with turkey, cranberry sauce, and some greens.These turkey sandwiches taste as good as they look! Each filling component compliments each other, giving you a nuanced, scrumptious flavor.

13. Paleo Turkey Stuffed Peppers

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Stuffed peppers with a paleo-turkey mixture make for a healthy snack. They are also a great way to have the kids enjoy peppers and any other vegetables without even noticing.

14.Turkey, Mushroom and Bacon Puff Pastry Pockets

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Puff pastry pockets are a versatile treat. You can stuff them with anything, as long as they work well together. Leftover turkey, bacon, Swiss cheese, and a creamy mushroom sauce are all you need.

15.Southwest Turkey Chopped Salad

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How about a refreshing salad? This bowl of colorful veggies, nuts, Mexican cheese, and chopped turkey is what you need. Drizzle it with a tasty barbecue sauce and some ranch dressing too.

16.Homemade Seasoning and Turkey Tacos

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A delicious snack or dinner you can create using your leftover turkey! These are turkey tacos that are tasty, crunchy, and so easy to put together.

17. Leftover Turkey In Creamy Mushroom Sauce

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Transform simple turkey odds and ends into a savory meal with mushrooms. I used to not care much for turkey leftovers. But this mushroom and leftover turkey recipe had me saving all there is to save from the roasting tin.

18. Turkey Pot Pie Soup

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Stray away from the usual leftover turkey baked pot pie. It’s time you try this turkey pot pie soup instead. This turkey leftover soup recipe will warm you up from your nose to your toes!

19. Aunt Bee’s Leftover Turkey Casserole

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Tummies full after an evening of feasting and indulgence? Good thing you can prepare Aunt Bee’s leftover turkey casserole. All you need to do is freeze it, then pop it in the oven when you need a good eat.

You can also try the leftover turkey noodle casserole recipe. Watch this video from Home of the Holidays to find out how:

Having leftover turkey after Thanksgiving is almost always inevitable. So make sure you don’t throw any out to try these leftover turkey recipes. Enjoy the holidays and the days after!

Which of these leftover turkey recipes are you planning to try? We’d love to hear all about it in the comments section below!

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  • 14 Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes
  • 17 Thanksgiving Side Dishes | Homemade Recipes
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Editor’s Note – This post was originally published on November 25, 2016, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.

19 Leftover Turkey Recipes To Extend Your Thanksgiving Celebration (2024)

FAQs

How long is leftover turkey good for in the fridge? ›

How long do the turkey and trimmings stay safe in the refrigerator or freezer? 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.

Can you eat cooked turkey after 5 days? ›

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.

Can I freeze cooked turkey after 3 days? ›

If your turkey has been properly handled, you can refrigerate and eat it for up to four days. If you are planning to freeze it, it's best to freeze it within one day of cooking for optimal texture and taste. However, leftover turkey can be frozen after three days and it will be fine.

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.

Is a 3 year old frozen turkey still good? ›

A whole turkey can be stored in the freezer for up to 12 months. Turkey pieces are best consumed within nine months.

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

Turkey typically lasts up to four days in the fridge before it goes bad. It can be stored in the freezer for up to four months before it starts to lose its flavor and texture. The USDA offers the following tips for storing and handling your turkey leftovers. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media Inc.

Can I eat a 4 day old turkey? ›

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends using cooked turkey within three to four days as long as it is kept refrigerated at a temperature that is 40°F or lower.

How can you tell if turkey is spoiled? ›

But as any poultry starts to go bad, it will start to turn an unpleasant shade of gray. If that pink hue starts to look slightly dull then it's time to use up your ground turkey immediately, and if it has a gray tint (even just a slight one), then it's time to toss it.

Can I cook a turkey that's been in the fridge for a week? ›

Information. It takes approximately 24 hours for every four to five pounds of whole turkey to thaw in the refrigerator. Once the turkey is thawed, you can keep it in the refrigerator for one to two additional days before cooking.

Can dogs eat turkey? ›

Yes, when cooked and prepared properly—and given in very small portions—turkey can be a healthy, occasional treat for dogs. Make sure it is fully cooked; has no skin, bones, or fat; and is not cooked with any other ingredients or seasonings. Here are some nutrients found in turkey: Vitamin B6.

What to do if my turkey is still frozen after 5 days? ›

If your turkey is still frozen solid:

Try a safe quick-thawing method. Cold water: Keep the bird in its airtight packaging or a leak-proof bag, submerge it in cold water, and change the water every 30 minutes. Microwave: Use your manufacturer guidelines to thaw for about 6 minutes per pound.

Can you reheat turkey after 4 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.

How do chefs reheat turkey? ›

The best way to reheat turkey is in a 350°F oven.

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.

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.

Do you reheat turkey covered or uncovered? ›

We also recommend covering turkey as it reheats. Use an aluminum foil pouch in the oven or a microwave-safe dish in the microwave. If the juices stay in the turkey instead of evaporating off into your kitchen, the leftovers will taste so much better!

Is it OK if turkey was left in fridge for a week? ›

If properly stored, raw turkey can last in the fridge for 1–2 days, while cold cuts last up to 5 days. How long does cooked turkey last in the fridge? If you have leftovers that include cooked turkey, you can expect those to last in the refrigerator for 3–4 days.

Are leftovers good after 7 days? ›

Leftovers can be kept for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. After that, the risk of food poisoning goes up. If you don't think you'll be able to eat leftovers within four days, freeze them right away. Frozen leftovers will stay safe for a long time.

Can I keep a fresh turkey in the fridge for 6 days? ›

Buy a fresh turkey one to two days before the day you plan to cook. If there is a 'best-by' or 'use by' date on the manufacturer's label, then you can keep fresh poultry, unopened, in the refrigerator until that date.

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