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40 Leftover Turkey Recipes helps you figure out what to do with leftover roast turkey or air-fried turkey after your Thanksgiving or Christmas feast.
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We're featuring 40 easy leftover turkey recipes from our food blogging friends so you can put your leftovers to work for you. The recipes include casseroles, soups, sandwiches, sides, and salads. Some are traditional, and some are creative, so there's something for everyone in this post-holiday recipe collection.
40 Easy Leftover Turkey Recipes
How to store leftover turkey
These are the most common ways we use to store leftover turkey (or cooked chicken) in the refrigerator and freezer:
- My favorite airtight containers
- refrigerate for up to 5 days
- freeze up to 3 months
- Silicone storage bags or zip-top freezer bags
- refrigerate for up to 5 days
- freeze up to 1 month
- Plastic deli rounds or containers
- refrigerate for up to 5 days
- freeze up to 1 month
- Vacuum-sealed storage bags
- freeze up to 3 months
I find that these airtight containers and vacuum-sealer methods keep my food fresh to the fullest extent. The only downside is that the glass containers are heavier than the other options, and they cost more upfront. But, because they tend to outlast the other options, it offsets the cost. A vacuum sealer also for itself over time with food that can be frozen.
Tips for using leftover turkey in recipes
Don't use overcooked turkey for these turkey recipes. Once the turkey is overcooked, it will never make a tasty comeback, even after smothering it with the most delicious gravy or hiding it in a casserole.
Assuming you are left with a big stash of perfectly cooked turkey, check out these tips that you'll need if you're repurposing it.
Timing is EVERYTHING: If I'm not planning to freeze cooked turkey meat for later use, I'm nothing short of OCD about getting it into a recipe ASAP.
The reason for this...cooked turkey is perishable and needs to be eaten anywhere from 3-6 days from the day it was first cooked. This means I need to get the leftover turkey into the casserole, soup, or whatever I'm making within 2 days, preferably 1 day, and then eat that item within another 2 days.
Substitute chicken breast: You can easily swap shredded chicken for cooked turkey in these leftover turkey recipes.
Jane says
What a wonderful collection of recipes Traci, everyone would love every one of them!! Thanks for including my Basil Tetrazzini, one of our favorite spins on the classic!
The Kitchen Girl says
Thanks, Jane! So happy to include yours! It sounds delish 🙂
Dedra | Queenslee Appétit says
Thanks for the helpful tips, and for including me in the list! All of these recipes look amazing!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks, Dedra...you're so welcome! Thanks for contributing 😉
Patti says
What a great list. There’s something here for everyone. Thanks.
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks, Patti...exactly my thoughts too 🙂
Caroline says
What a delicious looking collection of ideas - it makes you almost want more leftovers! Thanks for including my Thai red curry 🙂
Traci Antonovich says
You're so welcome, Caroline 🙂 Cheers!
CAMILLA HAWKINS says
What a delicious mix of turkey recipes, have to try some of these! Thanks for including my pie:-)
Traci Antonovich says
You're so welcome, Camilla 🙂 Cheers!
Nora from Savory Nothings says
Such great ideas! And thank you for including my soup
Traci Antonovich says
You're so welcome...looks delish! Thanks for contributing your recipe 🙂
Annissa says
What a wonderful selection of recipes for leftover turkey! Great ideas to transform that bird into entirely different meals! Pinning for later!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks, Annissa. Glad to have you contribute your recipe too 🙂
Judy says
Love all the helpful tips you include! What a great line up of recipes!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Judy! Yours looks delish! 🙂
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
I love turkey leftovers just as much (or more) than the original meal so I'm totally swooning over all these delicious recipes, Traci!! So many different options and I want to try 'em all! Thanks a million for including my pasta bake 🙂 Much appreciated!
Traci Antonovich says
You're SO welcome, Dawn...that pasta bake is gorgeous! 🙂
Terri says
So many great ideas here!!! Thanks for sharing my Turkey Reuben!
Traci Antonovich says
You're so welcome...I WANT that sandwich!
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop says
This is a great collection of recipes! I always make a huge turkey and then try to find ways to use it up. My family won't get tired of turkey leftovers this year! 🙂
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Kathy! Haha yep, no shortage of great ideas here 🙂 Thanks for contributing!
Lynn @ Fresh April Flours says
Great tips and great ideas! Thanks for including mine!
Traci Antonovich says
You're so welcome! I want every one of these dishes LOL 🙂
Michelle says
This is a goooood list! Yummm!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Michelle...your sliders are gorgeous! 🙂
Jenn says
What a great looking collection of recipes! Now I want to roast some turkey just to have leftovers to make some of these!
Traci Antonovich says
Oh I am right there with you, Jenn! Cravvvvvving turkey 🙂