14 Leftover Turkey Recipes

Creamy Leftover Turkey and Rice Soup — Credit:
Johnny Miller

Leftovers are an essential and much-loved part of Thanksgiving—and figuring out what to do with all that leftover turkey is one of our favorite post-holiday challenges. Most of us opt for a turkey sandwich, layered with cranberry sauce and stuffing. But that certainly isn't your only option, especially if you're willing to get creative.

Beyond the beloved sandwich, there is a treasure trove of leftover turkey recipes to explore after the big dinner, since this protein is an easy, adaptable ingredient with many possibilities. In this leftover turkey recipe collection, you’ll find dishes that are sure to become annual day-after-Thanksgiving traditions in your home—and as cherished as the feast itself.

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Turkey Breakfast Tacos

Maybe you have weekend guests post-Thanksgiving; these turkey tacos are a cheerful add to the breakfast table. Plus, they pull double duty, using up leftover mashed sweet potatoes, too. Feel free to vary toppings to suit different tastes.

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02 of 14

Turkey-and-Watercress Salad

A fresh, peppery watercress salad with a clever cranberry vinaigrette and cooked turkey is served over cooked and cooled grains (we used farro, but you could substitute your favorite grain), elevating this salad to main course status.

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Pocket Pies Filled With Leftovers

A fun way to get the entire family in the kitchen is to let them choose their own filling for these easy-to-make turkey pocket pies. Will they pack in sweet or mashed potatoes or stuffing and cranberry sauce? (There are no wrong answers!) These bites can be enjoyed warm from the oven—or tuck them into a cooler for a post-holiday road trip.

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04 of 14

Classic Potpies

This recipe uses a homemade butter pastry for that satisfying, nostalgic touch. Use leftover cooked turkey in place of the chicken that's called for. You can also assemble and freeze it for up to 4 months.

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05 of 14

Quick Turkey Tetrazzini

Turkey tetrazzini may be a post-Thanksgiving cliché, but it's one worth trying. With sautéed mushrooms and Parmesan, our recipe hits the spot.

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Turkey Monte Cristo

This turkey Monte Cristo sandwich plays on the diner classic, which is usually made with ham. Really, it's a savory turkey-French toast hybrid. Will you serve it with cranberry sauce or maple syrup?

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07 of 14

Thanksgiving-Leftovers Shepherd's Pie

All the savory Thanksgiving leftovers you have left in your fridge go into this crowd-pleasing dish. Pop it into the oven and voila—you have dinner.

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08 of 14

Turkey Salad Sandwich

Open-faced and light, this turkey salad sandwich has fresh, green apples, lemon, and golden raisins.

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09 of 14

Easy Turkey Stock

Go ahead and make a batch of turkey stock. It’s an investment that pays off, since you can freeze and use it for soups, stews, sauces, and more. Plus, it's the best way to spend a few hours on a brisk autumn day.

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10 of 14

Turkey Noodle Soup

For traditionalists, turkey noodle soup will always be the best leftover turkey recipe around.

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Creamy Leftover-Turkey-and-Rice Soup

Turkey and lemon offer a bright take on avgolemono soup, a restorative dish scented with fresh dill.

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12 of 14

Turkey Curry Dinner

A store-bought Indian simmer sauce produces a quick, weeknight curry when you add leftover turkey to it. Make it fun for everyone by placing an assortment of extras, such as coconut, yogurt, and herbs, on the table, and let everyone top their bowls as they like.

13 of 14

Turkey Cobb Salad

Serve this lighter meal the day after the big Thanksgiving feast, making use of leftover turkey.

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Thanksgiving Leftovers Pie

A golden, rustic pie filled to the brim with turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce makes the day after Thanksgiving, or the day after that, feel like a brand-new celebration.

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