Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes

Leftover turkey is a versatile and coveted ingredient to cook with. Turkey goes with so many different fall and winter dishes, so it’s fun and easy to use up all that bird in your fridge with some leftover recipes. If you don’t get to using all of your leftover turkey, it freezes wonderfully!

kentucky hot brown sandwich featured on leftover turkey recipes

Transform Your Turkey Leftovers to the Next Level

Thanksgiving is the gift that keeps on giving. You start with an incredible meal full of juicy meat, rich gravy, and a million side dishes. And then the next day you find your fridge still full of all those things! 

Sometimes the leftovers can be daunting, and that’s especially true with the turkey. But never fear, our list of these leftover turkey recipes will keep your leftovers in use.

Cooking with leftover holiday turkey is one of my favorite traditions each year. I get a lot of satisfaction from cooking a whole bird, and then finding a bunch of different ways to use up the meat. It’s pretty cool that a few hours of roasting a turkey can get you celebratory meal on Thursday night, a moist sandwich on Friday, and comforting soup on Saturday. How fun is that?

Does It Matter How the Turkey Was Prepared?

We all know that deep fried turkeys have become the latest food trend. And everybody loves a good barbecued turkey. But does your method of cooking the Thanksgiving turkey matter when using leftovers?

For the most part, no. As long as the turkey is cooked, you can use it for any of these recipes. Roasted, fried, or barbecued, turkey is always delicious, and works in all of these dishes. That said, a barbecued turkey obviously has a more smoky flavor than other preparations, so take that into account when making any of these recipes.

Can You Use Chicken Instead of Turkey?

Yes! If you roasted a chicken instead of a turkey for Thanksgiving, or if you just have some leftover chicken in your fridge, you can absolutely use it. Chicken and turkey are interchangeable in all of these recipes (though don’t go to Kentucky and tell anyone that you made a chicken hot brown!). I would not, however, use leftover goose meat for these recipes.

How to Store

You can store leftover turkey in the fridge for up to 4 days. There are two different ways for storing leftover turkey. If you have the fridge space, you can simply cover the turkey in plastic wrap, and place it in the fridge like that. Just make sure you thoroughly cover the bird, so that no air can get in.

If you have less space in your fridge, you can break down the turkey, and get all the meat off the bones. Then store the meat in an airtight container or bag in the fridge.

You can also store leftover turkey in the freezer for up to 3 months, in an airtight plastic bag.

turkey stew with vegetables in a bowl

Turkey Stew Recipe

Make this creamy, comforting Turkey Stew with your leftover turkey! A hearty and comforting meal that’s ready in less than 30 minutes!

Turkey and rice soup with vegetables on a spoon

Turkey Rice Soup

This comforting Turkey Rice Soup can be on the table in just 30 minutes! A great way to use up leftover turkey or chicken!

turkey salad in a bowl from the top

Turkey Salad Recipe

This delicious, nutty and crunchy Turkey Salad is made with leftover turkey! Pile it onto rolls or add a scoop to a lettuce wrap or salad!

Whiskey Glazed Fried Dumplings are crispy wontons dipped in an addictive whiskey glaze!

Leftover Turkey Wontons

These fried wontons are filled with turkey, cheese and bacon! Dip these fried dumplings into our famous whiskey glaze!

quesadillas with leftover turkey and stuffing on a plate with gravy

Thanksgiving Quesadillas

Thanksgiving leftovers are transformed when you make these crispy, Thanksgiving Quesadillas!

Easy Turkey Bolognese is a pasta sauce recipe that uses leftover turkey

Leftover Turkey Bolognese

Leftover Turkey Bolognese is the perfect way to use up leftover turkey after Thanksgiving! A hearty, comforting dinner that’s on the table in less than 30 minutes!

kentucky hot brown sandwich on black plate with forks

Kentucky Hot Brown Recipe

These Kentucky Hot Brown sandwiches are a delicious way to use up leftover turkey. Topped with slices of tomato and bacon and smothered in a creamy Mornay sauce.

Leftover Turkey Tetrazzini is a leftover turkey recipe baked into a pasta casserole

Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe

This noodle casserole recipe is one of our favorite ways to use up leftover turkey! A creamy, cheesy casserole is total comfort food!

leftover turkey is used to make this pasta casserole recipe with vegetables in a cream sauce

Turkey A La King Casserole

This delicious leftover turkey casserole will feed another crowd! Turkey, vegetables and pasta are baked in a super creamy sauce that just creams comfort food!

turkey sandwich with stuffing, cranberry sauce and gravy

Hot Turkey Sandwich

This comforting and hearty Hot Turkey Sandwich uses up all your Thanksgiving leftovers! These sandwiches are my favorite way to use up leftover turkey!

Leftover Turkey Noodle Soup is a leftover turkey recipe for a healthy soup dinner

Turkey Noodle Soup

This hearty and healthy turkey noodle soup recipe is so easy to make it can be on the table in 30! Transform your leftover turkey into a completely different meal!

Leftover Shepherd's Pie is a turkey leftover recipe

Leftover Turkey Shepherd’s Pie

This turkey shepherd’s pie is the perfect dish for using up Thanksgiving leftovers. It uses turkey, mashed potatoes, and gravy, and is a rich and creamy entree.

turkey soup with noodles in a bowl with spoons and bread

Homemade Turkey Soup

Save your turkey bones after Thanksgiving to make this Homemade Turkey Soup from scratch! A rich turkey stock turns into the best bowl of turkey soup you’ve ever tasted!

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