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25+ Best Leftover Turkey Recipes

By Taylor Stinson | 3 Comments | Posted: | Updated:

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These are the 25+ Best Leftover Turkey Recipes. They're a great way to use up that extra turkey from Thanksgiving or Christmas!

A collage of four different recipes with the text "Delicious Leftover Turkey Recipes" layered over top.

What's in This Post

Download your free 7-day holiday leftovers menu

If you're looking for a full 7-day meal plan for using up leftover turkey, I've got you covered! Download my Holiday Leftovers Meal Plan complete with breakfast, lunch and dinner for the entire week. You can see how to make the recipes in my YouTube video in the recipe card, too! Click here to download your free menu.

Leftover Turkey Recipes

Leftover turkey can be a big problem when you no longer have a giant holiday crowd to help you eat it (check out my top Thanksgiving recipes here). You could just freeze any leftover turkey to save for future meals, or you could try some of these awesome leftover turkey recipes to help you make sure that nothing goes to waste!

There are so many creative ways to use turkey leftovers – you can turn your them into everything from turkey soup to pot pies, casserole, chili, pasta and more.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is leftover turkey good in the fridge?

Leftover turkey is good for about 5 days, as long as you store it in the fridge in airtight containers. If you plan on storing it for longer than that, I’d freeze it.

Can you freeze it?

If you can't use up that leftover turkey within 5 days, then you can always freeze it in glass containers with lids or in Ziploc bags for up to 3 months. Make sure you defrost in the fridge overnight or sprinkle some water over top and microwave for 5 to 6 minutes from frozen when reheating.

Should you store it on the bone?

I'd recommend removing the turkey meat from the bone before storing it. This will ensure it stays as fresh as possible. It also makes it way easier when it comes to cooking with the leftovers, since you don't have to spend time carving the turkey!

What can you do with the bones?

Even though you should remove the meat from the bones, you can still use the bones to make bone broth.

Can you use leftover turkey in chicken recipes?

Turkey is a great substitute for chicken, so you can definitely use it as a substitute in your favourite chicken recipes.

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Comfort Food Recipes

One of the best ways to use up those turkey leftovers is to create comfort food like pot pies! Try a classic casserole to a unique take on nachos.

Super Easy Mini Turkey Pot Pies

55 minutes
These Super Easy Mini Turkey (or Chicken) Pot Pies are a lighter version of your favourite comfort food in the cutest individual serving sizes! 
Make this recipe
Calories: 423kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 36mg | Sodium: 882mg | Potassium: 537mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 7800IU | Vitamin C: 34.7mg | Calcium: 50mg | Iron: 3.1mg
Super Easy Mini Chicken Pot Pies

Healthy Crockpot Chicken and Rice Recipe

4 hours 15 minutes
The Creamiest Crockpot Chicken and Rice is so easy to make in your slow cooker – and no soup can is required! Just add frozen veggies, sour cream and cheese. You can also sub in leftover turkey in place of the chicken for an easy meal.
Make this recipe
Calories: 480kcal | Carbohydrates: 56g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 95mg | Sodium: 933mg | Potassium: 858mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 4900IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 180mg | Iron: 2mg
Two bowls of crockpot chicken and rice dinner.

Mini Turkey Curry Pot Pies

45 minutes
These Mini Turkey (or Chicken) Curry Pot Pies are so cute! The coconut curry filling comes together easily in the Instant Pot or on the stovetop.
Make this recipe
Calories: 404kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 53mg | Sodium: 581mg | Potassium: 394mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 2250IU | Vitamin C: 6.6mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 2.3mg
Instant Pot Mini Chicken Curry Pot Pies

Leftover Thanksgiving Casserole via Life Tastes Good

This Thanksgiving Casserole combines all of your holiday leftovers (minus the pie. Not that there should ever be leftover pie.) into one delicious dish! Gone are the days of refrigerators being as overstuffed as your family, and the need for “creative” Tupperware solutions.
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Leftover Thanksgiving Casserole by Life Tastes Good.

Thanksgiving Leftovers Turkey Nachos via Bless Her Heart, Y'all.

Thanksgiving Leftovers Turkey Nachos: Turn your leftover Thanksgiving turkey into cheesy, spicy, gluten-free party food that will be scooped up in seconds!
Make this recipe
Thanksgiving Leftovers Turkey Nachos via Bless Her Heart, Y'all.

Thanksgiving Leftovers Turkey Shepherd’s Pie via Culinary Ginger.

Thanksgiving Leftovers Turkey Shepherd’s Pie. Use this recipe for Christmas too because you can pretty much use any leftovers you have.
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Thanksgiving Leftovers Turkey Shepherd’s Pie via Culinary Ginger.

Turkey Enchiladas via Creme de la Crumb

Easy cheesy turkey and black bean enchiladas! Perfect for using up leftover shredded turkey!
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Turkey Enchiladas via Creme de la Crumb

Sandwiches, Wraps & Breads

Looking for an easy way to use up leftover turkey? Throw it in a sandwich or wrap! It also makes a great pizza topping, too.

Kale Chicken Caesar Wraps

35 minutes
These veggie-filled Kale Chicken Caesar Wraps are the perfect on-the-go lunch, with an avocado Caesar dressing that's lighter on calories. Use leftover turkey to make these even easier!
Make this recipe
Calories: 400kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 104mg | Sodium: 1461mg | Potassium: 741mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 3517IU | Vitamin C: 47mg | Calcium: 218mg | Iron: 2mg
Chicken and Kale Caesar Wraps

Turkey Sliders with Cranberry Chipotle Barbecue Sauce via Carlsbad Cravings

Chipotle Cranberry Turkey Sliders (or chicken!) with Apple Poppy Seed Slaw are a wonderfully delicious way to devour your Thanksgiving turkey leftovers!
Make this recipe
Turkey Sliders with Cranberry Chipotle Barbecue Sauce via Carlsbad Cravings

Easy Turkey Roll Ups via Fit Foodie Finds

Who needs a new healthy lunch recipe in their life? This turkey pinwheel recipe is great for kids and adults. Pair sun-dried tomato paste with fresh deli turkey, a piece of provolone cheese, and your favorite whole wheat tortilla for a delicious snack or on-the-go lunch!
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Easy Turkey Roll Ups via Fit Foodie Finds

Loaded Turkey Panini (For Thanksgiving Leftovers) via Pinch of Yum

Oh hi there. Meet my golden brown panini of melted Muenster cheese, turkey, cranberries, crisped sage, pear slices, goat cheese, and bacon.
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Loaded Turkey Panini (For Thanksgiving Leftovers) via Pinch of Yum

Thanksgiving Leftover Pizza via The Stay at Home Chef

Use up all of those Thanksgiving leftovers and make something new and delicious. Thanksgiving leftover pizza is a delicious way to mix things up!
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Thanksgiving Leftover Pizza via The Stay at Home Chef

Leftover Turkey Bombs via Carlsbad Cravings

Leftover Turkey Bombs are everything you love about Thanksgiving dinner stuffed into soft and chewy stuffing-like biscuits all dipped in luscious gravy! Leftover Turkey dinner “bombs” might even be better than “the real thing.”
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Leftover Turkey Bombs via Carlsbad Cravings

Turkey, Cranberry, and Brie Crescent Braid via Spicy Southern Kitchen

A Turkey, Cranberry, and Brie Crescent Braid makes a wonderful holiday appetizer. Pillsbury Crescents® makes it super easy to make.
Make this recipe
Turkey, Cranberry, and Brie Crescent Braid via Spicy Southern Kitchen

Soups & Salads

If you want a lighter meal after indulging in all your holiday favourites, make these soups or salads! They are excellent healthy lunch ideas that you can bring to work.

Zucchini Chicken Noodle Soup Jars

30 minutes
These Spiralized Zucchini Chicken Noodle Soup Jars are a perfect low-carb meal prep idea. Use leftover turkey for a quick lunch. Just add boiling water, microwave and enjoy!
Make this recipe
Calories: 256kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 61mg | Sodium: 1420mg | Potassium: 406mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 6700IU | Vitamin C: 127.9mg | Calcium: 60mg | Iron: 1.6mg
Spiralized Zucchini Chicken Noodle Soup Jars

Easiest Chicken Wild Rice Soup

1 hour
This is the Easiest Chicken Wild Rice Soup made even easier with leftover turkey! The hearty comfort food comes together in one pot with a wild rice blend, veggies and sage.
Make this recipe
Calories: 240kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 48mg | Sodium: 1369mg | Potassium: 826mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 3509IU | Vitamin C: 22mg | Calcium: 42mg | Iron: 2mg
Chicken Wild Rice Soup

Leftover Turkey Soup via Sweet Peas and Saffron

This leftover turkey soup is the best way to use up turkey after a Thanksgiving feast! It's full of immune-boosting ingredients.
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Leftover Turkey Soup via Sweet Peas and Saffron

Leftover Turkey Chili via Salt & Lavender

Put Thanksgiving leftovers to good use with this easy and quick leftover turkey chili recipe! It’s loaded with beans and veggies and is ready in just over half an hour to warm you up fast.
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Leftover Turkey Chili via Salt & Lavender

Easy Turkey Noodle Soup via Pinch of Yum

Easy turkey noodle soup recipe – LIGHT and so flavorful. Perfect for leftovers on a cozy chilly day!
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Easy Turkey Noodle Soup via Pinch of Yum

Leftover Turkey Harvest Cobb Salad via Skinnytaste

Did you eat too much stuffing and pumpkin pie this Thanksgiving? Here’s a wonderful Fall cobb salad to use up any of that leftover turkey if you’re looking for a meal that will be filling yet light.
Make this recipe
Leftover Turkey Harvest Cobb Salad by Skinnytaste.

Pasta & Noodle Dishes

Leftover turkey is an excellent addition to any of these pasta and noodle recipes! They're a great way to switch things up if you're tired of the same old boring leftovers.

Best Ever Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe

40 minutes
This is the Best Ever Turkey Tetrazzini! The cheesy and creamy pasta dish with mushrooms and peas makes leftover turkey delicious again.
Make this recipe
Calories: 387kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 76mg | Sodium: 517mg | Potassium: 502mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 616IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 143mg | Iron: 2mg
Best Ever Turkey Tetrazzini

Chicken Caprese Spaghetti Squash Boats

1 hour
Sub leftover turkey in these Chicken Caprese Spaghetti Squash Boats! They're a low carb dinner idea that's bursting with flavour and topped off with a balsamic glaze!
Make this recipe
Calories: 394kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 57mg | Sodium: 968mg | Potassium: 529mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 850IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 270mg | Iron: 1.6mg
Chicken Caprese Spaghetti Squash

Easy Creamy Leftover Turkey Pasta via Salt & Lavender

This easy creamy leftover turkey pasta recipe is the perfect way to use up your Thanksgiving turkey leftovers! Ready in only 20 minutes.
Make this recipe
Easy Creamy Leftover Turkey Pasta via Salt & Lavender

The Best Healthy Turkey Lasagna You’ll Ever Eat via Ambitious Kitchen

The BEST turkey lasagna ever! Made with a homemade tomato basil sauce packed with fresh herbs & Italian spices, lean ground turkey and cheese.
Make this recipe
The Best Healthy Turkey Lasagna You’ll Ever Eat via Ambitious Kitchen

Turkey Tetrazzini Casserole via She Wears Many Hats

Turkey Tetrazzini is an easy pasta casserole made with turkey, mushrooms, broccoli, parmesan and other savory ingredients. Great use for leftover turkey!
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Turkey Tetrazzini Casserole via She Wears Many Hats

Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry using Leftover Roast Chicken via Kids Eat by Shanai

Make this easy teriyaki chicken with noodles using turkey or chicken leftovers.
Make this recipe
Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry using Leftover Roast Chicken via Kids Eat by Shanai

More leftover ideas

See more meal prep resources

Meal Prep Tools

25+ Best Leftover Turkey Recipes

These are the 25+ Best Leftover Turkey Recipes. They're a great way to use up that extra turkey from Thanksgiving or Christmas!
5 from 2 votes
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Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 573kcal
Author: Taylor Stinson
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients
 

  • 1 cup cooked leftover turkey
  • 1 bag frozen fries
  • 2 cups leftover veggies peas, carrots, corn, brussels sprouts, etc
  • 1 cup cheese curds
  • 2 cups leftover gravy

Optional toppings

  • 2 tbsp Leftover cranberry sauce
  • Fresh chopped parsley for garnish

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 425 F. Add fries to a parchment-lined baking sheet in one even layer. Bake for 10 minutes each side.
  • When fries are mostly cooked through, top with leftover turkey, veggies, cheese curds and gravy. Bake another 5-10 minutes until cheese is melted.
  • Remove from oven, top with cranberry sauce and garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve and enjoy!

Video

Notes

Check out the links in this blog post for more individual leftover turkey recipes.

Nutrition

Calories: 573kcal (29%)Carbohydrates: 57g (19%)Protein: 21g (42%)Fat: 31g (48%)Saturated Fat: 12g (75%)Polyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 48mg (16%)Sodium: 1375mg (60%)Potassium: 759mg (22%)Fiber: 9g (38%)Sugar: 5g (6%)Vitamin A: 4638IU (93%)Vitamin C: 17mg (21%)Calcium: 238mg (24%)Iron: 3mg (17%)
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Created by Taylor Stinson

Hey there, my name's Taylor! I’m the founder of The Girl on Bloor, a food blog where I share healthy meal prep recipes for busy people. I'm a busy city girl living in downtown Toronto on (you guessed it!) Bloor Street. I've got 10 years experience meal prepping, along with a Master's degree in journalism, and you can find my work across the internet featured on publications such as Buzzfeed, HuffPost, Women's Health, Reader's Digest and more. I also run the awesome 5-Day Meal Prep Challenge, which is a free email course and Facebook group where I share my meal planning strategies and easy meal prep tips and recipes. Be sure to check out my free beginner’s guide to meal prep and follow me on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram to get my latest recipes and meal prep tips!

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    Comments & Reviews

  1. Mark Mchale says

    Turkey chili. Chunk up the meat you don’t eat and mix in with beef and your favorite recipe

    Reply

    • Taylor Stinson says

      Great idea!!

      Reply

  2. Crawdaddy says

    Love the Curry Turkey, Chicken dish sub in the Turkey. Same for Butter Chicken or Tikka Masala

    Reply

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