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!

Up Next:

  • 14 Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes
  • 17 Thanksgiving Side Dishes | Homemade Recipes
  • Food Staples To Stock Up On And Homemade Recipes To Cook Them At Home

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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? ›

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.

How do you preserve leftovers for Thanksgiving? ›

Leftovers should be stored within two hours of cooking. Divide leftovers into smaller portions and refrigerate or freeze them in covered shallow containers so they cool quickly. A large container or whole turkey will take too long to cool down to a safe temperature, which gives bacteria a chance to multiply.

How do you deal with leftovers on Thanksgiving? ›

10 ways to use Thanksgiving leftovers (besides just reheating them)
  1. Roasted turkey and vegetable salads. ...
  2. Turkey tacos. ...
  3. Potato pancakes. ...
  4. Make a turkey pot pie. ...
  5. Turkey pizza. ...
  6. Turkey soup. ...
  7. Turkey grilled cheese. ...
  8. Turn stuffing into muffins.
Nov 23, 2023

How long after Thanksgiving is it safe to eat the turkey? ›

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.

Is it safe to eat cooked turkey after 5 days? ›

Cooked turkey and other leftovers can be kept in the fridge safely for about three to four days, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and FoodSafety.gov say. But after that time, "the risk of food poisoning goes up," the Mayo Clinic notes, pointing to the growth of bacteria in refrigerated leftovers.

Is a 3 year old frozen turkey still good? ›

Frozen Turkey

Turkeys can be kept in the freezer indefinitely. However, cook turkeys within 1 year for the best quality.

Can I freeze leftover Thanksgiving turkey? ›

Leftover turkey freezes well for up to six months if properly handled, packed and frozen within three days of the original preparation. However, I like to try and use it within three months for best flavor and texture, and to avoid the possibility of freezer burn.

Can I eat 2 week old stuffing? ›

Dressing/stuffing: Like turkey, if stored properly, stuffing or dressing will be safe to eat for three to four days after cooking. It will last for about a month if stored properly in the freezer. Cranberry sauce – homemade and store-bought: Homemade cranberry sauce lasts seven to 10 days.

What is the best way to freeze leftover cooked turkey? ›

Slice the meat from the turkey and wrap it in freezer paper or foil, then seal in plastic freezer bags (make sure to press out all the air before sealing). Liquids, like soup or gravy, will expand slightly as they freeze, so leave a little space at the top of the container.

What percentage of people prefer Thanksgiving leftovers? ›

Apparently I'm in the minority, as this poll reported that 80 percent of Americans prefer the leftover version.

What is the rule for leftovers? ›

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.

What is the best thing to do with leftovers? ›

What to do with leftover food
  • Don't throw them out. Whether you're eating at home or out at a restaurant, don't let leftover edible food go to waste in the trash or compost bin. ...
  • Make them tomorrow's lunch. Saving leftovers is a quick way to pack a low-effort lunch. ...
  • Reinvent them. ...
  • Freeze them. ...
  • Swap them. ...
  • Prevent them.

Can you eat 7 day old turkey? ›

Theoretically, you could eat leftover turkey for up to four days. However, most people recommend eating it within two days to avoid food poisoning.

Can you eat turkey 5 days after Thanksgiving? ›

Turkey: 3-4 days.

Eat turkey within three to four days of cooking. If you use the turkey in a new dish like a soup or casserole, only consume within those initial four days. Another option is freezing the cooked turkey. Turkey can last up to four more months if frozen.

Can dogs eat turkey? ›

You may have noticed that turkey is a common ingredient in dog treats and dog food. Skinless, unseasoned white turkey meat that's been properly cooked is actually fine for dogs to consume in small amounts. Ground turkey, as long as it's plain and has no additives, is also perfectly healthy for dogs.

Is leftover turkey good for a week? ›

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.

How do I know if my turkey went bad? ›

"Consumers can tell leftover turkey has spoiled by using their senses," says Snyder. "Refrigerated turkey leftovers that have spoiled may be slimy or have a bad smell." If the turkey has been stored in the freezer, you will be able to tell if it is no longer safe to eat if it is discolored, tough, or dry.

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