15+ Ways to Use Your Turkey Leftovers
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The party isn’t over! We rounded up 15 delicious leftover turkey recipes to make the most of your holiday turkey. Breathe new life into those leftovers with these easy recipes!
Admittedly, I’m more about the Thanksgiving side dishes (I’m looking at you fluffy mashed potatoes and glazed carrots!). Well, and the gluten-free pie, obviously. So usually, I’ve got plenty of leftover turkey to use.
In the event that, like me, you’ve gone easy on turkey for The Big Meal and find your fridge overfloweth with turkey leftovers, here are a few great ways to use them up. These recipes were created with chicken in mind, but each of them would be tasty with turkey instead.
So, here are 15+ recipes to give that leftover turkey the encore it deserves!
A Few Tips For Leftover Turkey
How Long Does Turkey Last In The Fridge?
According to the USDA, leftover cooked turkey will stay fresh 3-4 days in the fridge. Ideally, cooked turkey shouldn’t be out of refrigeration longer than 2 hours for food safety, so it’s best to pack away turkey leftovers as soon as you can after the meal!
Can You Freeze Leftover Turkey?
You bet! Leftover turkey can be frozen for 3-4 months in a freezer bag! Thaw in the fridge before using for best results. (Keep in mind it should only be refrigerated up to 4 days total, so if you refrigerated it for 2 days before freezing, it would only be good in the fridge 2 days after thawing.)
15 Delicious Ways To Use Leftover Turkey
So, what to do with leftover turkey? Toss it into your favorite recipes! Many of the ideas below were developed with chicken in mind, but they work deliciously with turkey, too! Let’s dive in!
Gluten-Free Hummus Turkey Wrap
Swap out the deli turkey slices for leftover cooked turkey. The combination of fresh veggies and hummus breathes new life into leftovers!
Healthy Chicken Pot Pie Soup
This dairy-free pot pie soup is creamy and delicious, loaded with veggies and flavor. And despite the creamy texture, it’s healthy! (Even Whole30-Approved!)
Dairy-Free Chicken and Vegetable Risotto
This easy dairy free chicken vegetable risotto recipe is a family favorite! It’s cozy and comforting, but not a lot of fuss. Feel free to use your favorite kind of broth here–veggie, chicken, and beef broth all work!Â
Wild Rice & Kale Salad (Cubby’s Copycat)
This tasty main dish salad is a restaurant copycat that’s jam-packed with goodies and finished with a tangy balsamic herb dressing you’re going to LOVE.
Salsa Verde Chicken Chili (Quick + Easy + Healthy!)
This might be the EASIEST chili recipe ever! Just 7 ingredients + 15 minutes and you’re ready to enjoy this lighter take on chili night.
Apple Cranberry Chicken Salad
A major crowd favorite! This chicken salad recipe has tender cranberries, crunchy pecans, and juicy apples in every bite. It works beautifully with turkey leftovers for easy lunches the next day! (You can even stir a spoonful of cranberry sauce into the dressing!)
Gluten-Free Chicken Noodle Soup
This easy homemade gluten-free chicken soup recipe is full of flavor, made from simple ingredients & tastes so cozy!
Classic Chicken Salad With Grapes
Swap turkey leftovers into this chicken salad with grapes! It comes together in no time and tastes amazing. Try it on bread or wraps, or spoon into lettuce cups for a lighter option!
Chicken Tortilla Soup (Gluten-Free)
Tender turkey works beautifully in this savory, flavorful broth, topped with crispy baked tortilla strips and allll the goodies! (Gluten-Free + Paleo-Friendly)
Fall Cobb Salad
This salad literally has it all! Turkey, smoky bacon, plenty of veggies, crunchy croutons, and an incredible apple cider dressing you’ll want to drink it’s so good.
Gluten-Free Chicken Wild Rice Soup
This cozy, creamy soup is the perfect comfort food for a cold day.Â
Kentucky Hot Brown
While it’s THE sandwich of the Kentucky Derby, we think this hot sandwich is delicious any day of the year. Turkey leftovers a perfect fit between gooey cheese sauce and crispy bacon!
Curry Chicken Salad (Paleo, Whole30-Friendly)
Our healthy curry chicken salad is light and fresh–the perfect contrast to a heavier Thanksgiving meal. (Plus, you’ll have more room for leftover pie!)
Mango Guacamole Chicken Wraps
Yep, that’s right! Mango guacamole. It’s as unbelievable as it sounds, and a great way to dress up a leftover turkey wrap!
White Taco Soup
This creamy taco soup recipe is PACKED with delicious layers of flavor and feels so cozy and comforting! The aromatics & seasonings add so much flavor!
Our Top Picks & Suggestions
That’s a big list of ideas! If you’re feeling overwhelmed, I thought I’d wrap up by sharing a few of our favorites for a short list:
- Best Soup For Turkey Leftovers: Chicken Pot Pie Soup. It’s got a nice, creamy texture, but still feels light!
- Best Salad For Turkey Leftovers: Wild Rice Kale Salad. It’s light and fresh!
- Best Sandwich For Turkey Leftovers: Apple Cranberry Chicken Salad. It’s a fan favorite all year, but really works well with turkey! Try adding a dollop of cranberry sauce to the dressing for even more flavor!
Did I miss any of your favorites? What would you add to my list?
These all look so delicious!
Sigh… This look SO yummy. Sometimes it seems like Thanksgiving will never come – I just want left overs!