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It’s the day after Thanksgiving, what do you do with all the leftover turkey? No worries! We have just the recipes for you! Enjoy soup, sandwiches, casseroles, and even pizza that will elevate your turkey leftovers from boring to brilliant.
Featured in this post
- Thanksgiving Leftover Casserole
- Pilgrim Sandwich
- Turkey Pot Pie
- Chicken Noodle Soup (with turkey)
- Deli Turkey Sandwich (with leftover turkey)
- Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole (with turkey)
- Chicken Broccoli Casserole (with turkey)
- Turkey Bacon Avocado Pizza
- Turkey Bacon Avocado Panini
- More Ideas for Leftover Turkey
Thanksgiving Leftover Casserole
This Thanksgiving Dinner Leftover recipe is so easy. It’s made with leftover thanksgiving turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, vegetables, and cranberry sauce all layered in a casserole dish. It all cooks at the same time and can easily be modified according to how much of each leftover you have. If you have a ton of leftovers, you can double this recipe and cook it in a 9×13 pan. You can also adapt the ingredients you use in the casserole to fit your preferences, tastes, and what you have left over in the fridge from Thanksgiving Dinner.
Pilgrim Sandwich
This Pilgrim Sandwich is one of the best things about Thanksgiving! Sometimes I look forward more to the leftover turkey sandwich than the actual meal. We usually eat on leftovers for a couple of days, but I like to switch it up so we don’t get tired of eating the same things. This delicious combination of sweet cranberry sauce, savory leftover stuffing and all the other fixings is what makes this sandwich so irresistible.
Turkey Pot Pie
If you’re looking for a great way to turn leftover turkey meat into a meal that deserves a spotlight of its own, this Turkey Pot Pie recipe is the way to go. The dough for the crust comes together in no time, and pairs so well with turkey, your favorite veggies and a rich, creamy sauce. Our family looks forward to this dinner almost as much as Thanksgiving itself!
Chicken Noodle Soup (with turkey)
This classic Chicken Noodle Soup can easily be made into a turkey soup on the stovetop, in the crockpot, or in the Instant Pot. Since the turkey is already cooked, follow the soup directions starting on step 4, and use canned chicken broth (or turkey broth, if you have it). If cooking the soup in the crockpot, follow the directions for step 1 and 2, then add all the ingredients, except the noodles. Since you don’t need the turkey to cook, cook on high for 2 hours to warm everything through and cook the carrots, then add the noodles.
Deli Turkey Sandwich (with leftover turkey)
The possibilities are endless when it comes to turkey sandwiches. A platter of turkey sandwiches are the ultimate comfort food. They can be simple with just turkey and cheese. They can also be dressed up with all sorts of delicious flavor combinations. When using leftover turkey, simply replace the deli turkey with your leftover turkey.
Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole (with turkey)
This casserole is made with ingredients I always have in the pantry and it comes together in a snap. Pair it with a simple green salad and a side of steamed rice. See the notes in the recipe for making this into a leftover turkey casserole, instead of using chicken. The cook time is cut in half when using already cooked turkey.
Chicken Broccoli Casserole (with turkey)
This Chicken Broccoli Casserole is a recipe my Mom made ALL the time when we were kids. The only difference is, she always used rice instead of quinoa. We know it works either way, so feel free to do it the original way with rice. To substitute turkey, simply replace the 3 cups of shredded chicken with 3 cups of shredded turkey. Dark and white turkey meat both work great.
Turkey Bacon Avocado Pizza
This Turkey Bacon Avocado Pizza is sure to please the entire family! Ripe, fresh avocado and plump, juicy tomatoes pair perfectly with the bacon, cheese and a Ranch dressing sauce. Simply replace the deli turkey in this recipe with leftover turkey. This pizza is vibrant and so flavorful, it’ll become a family favorite for sure!
Turkey Bacon Avocado Panini
Don’t you just love the combination of a Turkey Bacon Avocado Sandwich? The flavors are fabulous – especially with leftover roasted turkey! We got the idea from the “Gobbler” sandwiches at Pizza Factory. The traditional restaurant Gobblers at Pizza Factory use a hoagie-type bread. For this, we decided to try a panini style sandwich and we love it even more. The grilled taste makes it that much better.
More Ideas for Leftover Turkey
Having leftover turkey is such a great problem to have – and one we enjoy solving! In addition to the recipes above, here are some more ideas for enjoying moist, delicious turkey.
- Leftover Turkey Chili: Replace ground beef with diced turkey.
- Chicken Enchilada Chili: Use turkey instead of chicken.
- Leftover Turkey Enchiladas: Replace the chicken with turkey.
- Turkey Salad: Make a chef salad using turkey and bacon, or make a taco salad layering tortilla chips, turkey, beans, cheese, diced tomatoes, diced avocado, green onion, salsa and sour cream.
- Turkey Pasta: Serve turkey and your favorite Alfredo or pesto sauce over pasta or egg noodles.
- If you have leftover turkey, but need a break from leftovers for awhile, place the turkey in a resealable freezer bag and store in the freezer for 3-4 months. Thaw by placing in the refrigerator overnight, and then use them in your favorite recipe.
