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.

What should you do with leftovers from Thanksgiving that has sat out for longer than 2 hours? ›

If foods have been left out for more than two hours, discard items to prevent foodborne illness.

How to freeze leftover turkey? ›

Place the turkey on a parchment or foil-covered baking sheet in a single layer. Transfer to the freezer for one hour, until the turkey is quite chilled and firm. This will allow the slices or cubes to stay separate when you freeze them in a bag or container.

Can I eat leftover turkey after 7 days? ›

As a general guideline, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services recommends eating or freezing turkey and other leftovers within three to four days. For Thanksgiving, that means you should eat or freeze by Monday.

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.

How do you store leftover turkey to keep it moist? ›

Use freezer-safe bags or containers and "limit air space in the package to prevent freezer burn," she says. Another option is to wrap the turkey in aluminum foil, followed by plastic wrap. "The aluminum foil helps prevent freezer burn and the plastic wrap helps retain moisture," explains Baker.

How long is stuffing good in the fridge? ›

Do not refrigerate uncooked stuffing. If stuffing is prepared ahead of time, it must be either frozen or cooked immediately. To use cooked stuffing later, cool in shallow containers and refrigerate it within 2 hours. Use it within 3 to 4 days.

How long is leftover Thanksgiving stuffing good for? ›

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 2 2 2 rule for leftovers? ›

Non-profit organisation Love Food, Hate Waste recommends the 2:2:2 rule. Two hours to get them in the fridge. Two days to eat them once they're in there. Or freeze them for up to two months.

Can you eat leftover Thanksgiving turkey cold? ›

"If you're worried about it, sure, you can heat the turkey and have a warm sandwich. But taking those steps in the preparation, cooking and storing process means you should be safe to enjoy a cold leftover turkey sandwich.”

What is made from Thanksgiving leftovers? ›

Instead, try turning your leftovers into a casserole, like our turkey divan, our chicken stuffing casserole, or our turkey pot pie; a soup, like our turkey noodle soup, our leftover turkey & wild rice soup, or our homemade turkey stock (made from your turkey carcass); or something lighter or more flavorful than before, ...

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.

How long is refrigerated leftover turkey good for? ›

How Long Does Turkey Last in the Fridge? 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.

Can you freeze turkey stuffing and gravy? ›

As long as your leftovers have been frozen at 0 degrees F, you can store them indefinitely. But they'll taste best used within two to three months. Pack side dishes like stuffing and mashed potatoes into airtight freezer containers or plastic freezer bags.

Can you eat leftover turkey on the 5th day? ›

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 you reheat turkey after 5 days? ›

Leftover cooked food may be stored in the refrigerator for up to three to four days. During this time, you can reheat the leftovers to 165 °F. Be sure to return any unused portion to the refrigerator within two hours to remain safe.

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 5 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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