Easy leftover turkey recipes to make after Thanksgiving. From cozy casseroles to hearty soups and simple sandwiches, you’re sure to find a recipe for using up every last bite!
Quick Ideas for Leftover Turkey
It’s the day after Thanksgiving or Christmas. You’ve got a fridge filled with leftover turkey and absolutely no plan. You planned all of your holiday meals, so you shouldn’t have to plan on making dinner after the holidays, right? Well, I’m here to help with some of my favorite easy leftover turkey recipes.
From leftover turkey soup, to easy turkey sandwiches, to comforting turkey casseroles, there’s a little something for anyone who is wondering what to do with leftover Thanksgiving food!
How Long Leftover Turkey Lasts (And How to Freeze It)
Leftover cooked turkey lasts for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Be sure to store it in an airtight container!
You can freeze leftover turkey for up to 3 months in an airtight container or freezer bag. So, if you have to much to use up this week, just pop it into the freezer for later. You can also freeze leftover soups, sides and casseroles.
Quick Tip
If your turkey seems dry, add a splash of broth or water before reheating.
Leftover Turkey Soups
5 from 6 votes
Easy Turkey Soup
This Easy Turkey Soup recipe is made with leftover turkey in a flavorful, homemade stock with lots of fresh vegetables. Perfect for using up holiday leftovers and a delicious way to warm up!
Make the best homemade Instant Pot Turkey Soup from leftover turkey meat and stock (bone broth) with this easy pressure cooker recipe. A delicious way to use Thanksgiving leftovers!
Make Instant Pot Turkey Stock from a leftover turkey carcass with this easy Instant Pot recipe for homemade turkey bone broth. A delicious way to use up Thanksgiving leftovers or turkey from Christmas dinner!
Leftover turkey stuffing casserole is an easy recipe made from Thanksgiving leftovers and a great way to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner again. Your whole family will love this delicious, easy meal!
This easy one pot turkey noodle casserole recipe is packed with egg noodles and veggies in a creamy sauce. A delicious way to use up leftover turkey and sure to be a family favorite!
Instant Pot Turkey Noodle Casserole is made with leftover turkey, veggies and pasta in a cheesy, cream sauce. It’s a quick and easy one pot dinner ready in less than 30 minutes!!
Turn your leftover turkey into this easy turkey pot pie recipe with a cheesy, creamy filling and flaky canned biscuits on top. An easy meal using holiday leftovers that takes less than an hour to make!
This easy turkey tetrazzini recipe comes together quickly with just a few simple ingredients. A delicious way to use up leftover turkey without a lot of work!
This easy grilled turkey sandwich with melty provolone cheese and dried cranberries is so simple, yet satisfying and perfect for a hot lunch or quick dinner.
Make the best turkey croissant sandwich with sliced turkey breast, provolone cheese, fresh greens, dried cranberries and a hint of pepper jelly on a flaky, fresh croissant.
I have several easy salad recipes, and while these don’t normally use turkey, you can add leftover turkey to the harvest salad or substitute turkey for the chicken in my other salads!
5 from 1 vote
Harvest Salad
This easy harvest salad recipe has roasted sweet potatoes, honey crisp apples, goat cheese and candied pecans in a tangy maple apple cider vinaigrette dressing.
Cranberry Chicken Salad with Apples is loaded with tender chicken, crisp apples and tart dried cranberries in a light creamy dressing. Enjoy this healthy chicken salad recipe in wraps, sandwiches or straight out of the bowl for a light lunch or dinner!
The BEST easy chicken salad recipe made with simple ingredients is perfect for a quick lunch or dinner and makes delicious sandwiches. You'll love this classic way to use up leftover chicken
Do these recipes work with smoked or fried turkey?
Yes, you can use smoked turkey, fried turkey or even crockpot turkey in these leftover recipes. Keep in mind that the flavor may be a little different if using smoked turkey, so you may need to adjust the spices called for in each recipe.
Can I use leftover turkey instead of chicken in soups, casserole and salads?
Yes. You can sub turkey for the chicken called for in chicken salad, chicken casseroles and chicken soup!
More Ways to use up Thanksgiving Leftovers
If you have leftover mashed potatoes, make these easy mashed potato cakes for lunch or a light dinner or as a side dish. You can use leftover broccoli, cauliflower, carrots and celery from a veggie tray in the soups and casseroles!
For more easy recipes by email, sign up for the free weekly newsletter!
About Meatloaf and Melodrama!
I’m Dee, the blogger, cookbook author, chief cook, recipe developer and photographer behind Meatloaf and Melodrama. I absolutely love to create easy, budget-friendly, homemade meals and treats for my family. I also love to think of new ways to repurpose leftovers so that my family will actually eat them!
