I hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving and time with family. Before we know it, we'll be on to those tasty leftovers! I'm sure I'm not the only one who tries to be creative with all that turkey we couldn't finish, so here are some ideas to consider.
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Ideas for Leftover Turkey
- Make “Turkey Noodle Soup” instead of “Chicken Noodle Soup” (pictured below) and freeze the leftovers. Here is a recipe to get you started (just sub turkey for the chicken).
- Make “Turkey Terrific Sandwiches” inspired by a sandwich shop on Nantucket Island called Provisions. All it takes is some good whole-wheat bread, a little mayo, stuffing, turkey, and the optional cranberry sauce to make one good sandwich. Another great sandwich option would be turkey, brie, and a quick apple chutney...yum!
- Make homemade turkey stock with the bones…just like you do with leftover chicken bones/parts. This would be the perfect starting point for your “Turkey Noodle Soup” as mentioned above or for other dishes that call for chicken broth/stock. See “The Best Whole Chicken in a Crock Pot” recipe for details.
- Freeze batches of the cooked turkey meat for sandwiches or recipes on another day using either zip lock bags or other freezer-safe containers.
- Sub turkey for cooked chicken/meat (or just add it to the veggies in vegetarian dishes) in some of your favorite recipes, including these...
"Chicken" Recipes You Can Use with Leftover Turkey Instead
- Chicken Enchiladas
- Turkey Gumbo (just sub turkey for the seafood and sausage)
- Tortilla Soup
- Fajitas
- As a topping on Whole-Wheat Pizza
- Turkey Chili (see the White Chicken Chili recipe in my blue book on page 188)
- Stuffed Shells or Lasagna
Check out the comments below for more ideas, and if you have any additional suggestions for turkey leftovers, please share!
Linda Brodie says
We deliberately buy a larger than needed turkey. We eat turkey sandwiches the following day, then all the rest is turned into turkey pot pies, using frozen or refrigerated pastry, and adding the leftover gravy, stuffing and veggies with frozen mixed veg if needed. Then we freeze the pies for a wonderful meal weeks later.
Heather Bee says
Turkey Tettrazini!!! My absolute favorite :). Last year I even made and froze extra sauce hoping I can whip it up before the turkey disappears this year. I hope it's still tasty... :D Happy Thanksgiving all!!
Heather Bee says
Oops! Sorry: Tetrazzini! Fingers aren't working today. Wish I could edit that :)~
Mench Linda says
Leftover Turkey shepherds pie : layer sautéed mirepoix in bottom of baking dish, top w leftover turkey chopped into bites; layer of stuffing, spoonfuls of Gravy, layer mashed potatoes, sprinkle w shredded cheddar. Bake until warm and bubbly at 400. Serve w cranberry chutney. Enjoy!!!!
Deedee Lewis says
I really like your tip about turning turkey leftovers into a turkey sandwich. My family and I always seem to run into the problem of having a lot of leftover turkey after Thanksgiving dinner. I will be sure to save these tips out for the next time we have a turkey meal and find ourselves with leftovers.
Alethea says
Planning to make your chicken pot pie recipe -- subbing with turkey :)
Julie says
Turkey curry and turkey lentil soup.
Tammie says
What sugar substitute would you use to make homemade cranberry sauce? Honey or pure maple syrup?
Crystal R says
This is the recipe I used: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/cranberry-sauce-recipe2.html - except I just used orange juice instead of both types of juice.
Deb Chrystal says
IF there is any left after cold sandwiches and one hot meal of leftovers....Turkey Divan and Hot Browns
Shirl says
I have a pot of turkey stock already going on the stove as we eat dinner!When carving the turkey the bits and bobs go into a large stock pot, along with the carcass and veggies.(I clean and chop the veggies the night before and store them in ziplocks.
Last year I really didn't have much leftovers a little of this a little of that. Faced with the thought of cooking a meal on Friday I made Dump Soup. I took some of the stock, added the chopped turkey and gravy, all the little bits of leftover veggies. I even added the mashed potatoes and stuffing to thicken the broth. It was AMAZING!!! We are looking forward to this again this year.
Joan says
turkey club sandwich the tearoom way. Bottom slice of bread, cheese, I like Swiss, turkey slice of bread, lettuce tomato, bacon top bread slice sliced egg, Thousand Island dressing over all.
Emily says
I package up leftover turkey, stuffing, green beans, potatoes, etc. into individual "TV dinners" and freeze them. Perfect for lunch in January when turkey is a long-ago memory!
Laura says
I love to make turkey tetrazzini - it takes about 2 cups of leftover turkey! I like to use a mix of light and dark meat.
Rose says
How could everyone forget turkey a'la king? I saute' mushrooms in butter with a little onion, add turkey gravy, pimento's and cut in chunks, turkey meat leftovers and serve over homemade mashed potatoes with steamed green beans and maybe a cucumber salad. Yum! Total comfort food with the mashed potatoes.
Cindy says
We use the leftovers and make a turkey burrito. Put in some turkey and anything else you want, throw in a little cheese, wrap in tortilla, warm it up and enjoy.
Cheryl says
I take leftover stuffing layer in the bottom of the pan, cover with favorite vegetable mix, slices of turkey over that, and cover with gravy or cream of mushroom soup. Bake 25 minutes at 400 degrees. Great casserole dish.
Dawn says
I make Turkey pot pie out of my left overs (We raise turkeys- so LOTS of left overs)
I shred up the meat, take the onions out of the cooking pan and set them aside chopped up. I also take all the large herbs out of the pan- add a bit of lemon juice and milk- bring to a boil and add gravy thickener. Once I have a great gravy I set that aside with the onions. I add chopped up broc and carrots to the meat in a large pan- pour the gravy over that and then put drop cheddar biscuits on top of that- cook till biscuits are done. I always cook my turkey with 2 sticks of butter mixed with the juice of 2 lemons, fresh garlic and 1/2 box of bells seasoning. I put the lemon halves inside the turkey along with 3 cut in quarters onions and a sprig or two of rosemary. I shove the flavored butter underneath the skin of the whole bird- and coat some outside the skin. This way the meat it's self is flavored.
Annalisa says
Turkey taquitos in whole heat tortillas
Jackie @ Domestic Fits says
Lisa! This is a great post. Your turkey looks so delicious. I made turkey soup because that is all I wanted to eat (Stupid sick germs!) and some turkey and mashed potato empanadas.
100 Days of Real Food says
Yum...love empanadas! We also made the turkey noodle soup and a last-minute gumbo, too...which was a big hit! Good to hear from you :)
Sarah says
Hot Browns! Open faced turkey sandwich (on whole wheat) with a cheese sauce and bacon on top.
Sarah says
*cheese sauce = roux + milk + cheese
lilmrsmchenry says
I left some meat on the bones when I made my stock. Then with all the meaty bits we mixed it with our favorite bbq sauce for bbq sandwiches.
lilmrsmchenry says
Opps, posted too soon. Then I used about half of the broth and the rest of the meaty bits for turkey and dumplings.
Christa @ Simply Chic Living says
I was turned onto your site through Pinterest. Great ideas! I plan on making Turkey Monte Cristos with my leftover turkey, brie, cranberry sauce and french bread. Deliciousness! http://www.simplychicliving.com
sherry says
Turkey Reuben Sandwiches! 2 slices of Rye bread with a light smear of butter on the outside,as if you were making a grilled cheese sandwich. On dry side of bread, stack sliced turkey, sauerkraut, Swiss Cheese or Provolone slices, either Thousand Island dressing or Spicy Mustard depending on your preference. Top this with the second bread slice, butter side up and grill in a non stick skillet (again, as if you were making grilled cheese, browned and crispy on one side, then turn carefully with large spatula) until cheese melts and bread is grilled "toasty".
amanda says
do you make your own 1000 is? or did you find a good storebought kind? Bolthouse Farms might make a yogurt version. Not sure will havta look for it!
Alicia says
Turkey Gumbo!
erin says
We did a turkey pot roast.
Michelle says
I always save the turkey bones for stock. My daughter cooked a whole turkey and I asked her to save it for me. I haven't had buy broth or stock in ages. Nothing goes to waste.
Katie @ Raisins&Apples says
We're doing Turkey Tacos today!
April says
I mix the leftovers into a Shepherd's Pie casserole. Turkey on the bottom then a layer of corn and chopped up carrots with mashed potatoes on top. Yummy!
angela says
I like to make turkey salad sandwiches, just like your favorite chicken salad. I like to chop up the turkey, apple, celery and onion. Add some salt, pepper & garlic powder, mix up with mayo. Serve on whole wheat bread with sliced tomato, cheese of your choice and some romaine lettuce. If you want to do open face sandwiches, leave off the lettuce and melt the cheese on top under a broiler.
Joanna says
Oh! Oh! Another yummy thing to do with the turkey broth is to make juk (rice porridge) with it! And then when it is almost ready, mix some bits of meat in there and serve it with a bit of sesame oil. Sooooooo yummy!