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
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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 many days after Thanksgiving can you eat leftover turkey? ›

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.

How long is cooked 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.

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.

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 cooked turkey after 2 days? ›

Leftover cooked turkey freezes well for up to 6 months if properly handled, packed, and frozen within 3 days of the original preparation. However, I like to try and use it within 3 months for the best flavor and texture and to avoid the possibility of freezer burn.

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

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.

Can a turkey sit in the fridge for 5 days? ›

Cooked turkey can be stored in the refrigerator at 40°F or below for three or four days, maximum, Amidor says.

How many times can you refreeze cooked turkey? ›

Cook the turkey immediately after it is thawed. Do not refreeze. Check your owner's manual for the size turkey that will fit in your microwave oven, the minutes per pound and power level to use for thawing.

What is the 2 2 2 rule for leftovers? ›

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. A really simple rule that everyone in the house can understand.

How long is leftover Thanksgiving stuffing good for? ›

If stored properly, the stuffing or dressing is good to eat up to three to four days after it's cooked. If you want to enjoy it long enough, you can freeze it for up to four months and reheat it when you'd like a festive side of comfort food.

Can dogs eat turkey? ›

Is Turkey Good for Dogs? 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.

How long does leftover turkey last in the fridge? ›

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. “Refrigeration slows but does not stop bacterial growth,” the website states.

Can you reheat turkey twice? ›

How many times can you reheat turkey? It's not a good idea to reheat turkey more than once. Technically, as long as it reaches 165° each time, it's safe to eat. That said, it's a food safety hazard to some degree, since every time you heat and cool food, it passes through the danger zone (between 40° and 140°).

Can you eat stuffing after 5 days? ›

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.

How long do turkey breast slices last in the fridge? ›

Sliced cold cuts can be stored in a food storage bag, with any extra air squeezed out before it's sealed. Be sure to wash your hands before and after handling turkey, especially if it's raw. If properly stored, raw turkey can last in the fridge for 1–2 days, while cold cuts last up to 5 days.

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

Those popular spiral-cut hams or any store-wrapped cooked ham will last three to four days in the fridge. Cooked country hams will last a bit longer, up to a week. Do: Wrap it up tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil before refrigerating. If you choose to freeze, it will be good for one to two months.

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