14 Easy Leftover Turkey Recipes
Still staring at half a turkey the Monday after Thanksgiving? These leftover turkey recipes turn it into brand new suppers your family won’t recognize as leftovers, from a pot of turkey and dumplings to cheesy casseroles and a quick turkey hash. Most of these were written with chicken, and cooked turkey swaps right in cup for cup.
Planning the big meal first? Start with our Thanksgiving menu ideas and make-ahead Thanksgiving dishes.
Turkey Leftover Makeovers
These were made with Thanksgiving leftovers in mind.
1Turkey Hash
Leftover turkey and potatoes cooked into a hearty hash, perfect for breakfast the morning after.
2Deluxe Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole
A cheesy hash brown casserole that gives leftovers a whole new life.
3Handheld Pot Pies
Flaky little pot pies filled with creamy turkey and vegetables. Use turkey in place of the chicken.
4Homemade KFC Bowls
Pile leftover mashed potatoes, corn and gravy into bowls and top with crispy chicken or warmed turkey.
Soups, Stews and Dumplings
Simmer that turkey into something cozy for a chilly weeknight.
5Chicken and Dumplings with Biscuits
Fluffy biscuit dumplings in a rich broth. Use shredded turkey and you’ve got turkey and dumplings.
6Chicken Noodle Soup
A simple, comforting noodle soup that’s just as good with leftover turkey.
7Easy Chicken Stew
Tomatoes, potatoes and tender meat make a hearty stew in about 25 minutes.
Leftover Turkey Casseroles
Stir cooked turkey into any of these instead of chicken.
8Hot Chicken Salad
Granny Jordan’s creamy, crunchy-topped casserole, ready in about 30 minutes.
9Brunswick Chicken Casserole
All the flavor of Brunswick stew in an easy casserole.
10Country Casserole
Meat, cheese and vegetables in a creamy sauce, ready in about 40 minutes.
11Cheesy Chicken and Corn Casserole
A creamy, cheesy casserole loaded with corn.
12Crustless Chicken Pot Pie
An easy one-pan pot pie without the fuss of a crust.
13Chicken Divan Casserole
Tender meat, broccoli and cheddar under a crispy topping.
14Mama’s Chicken Poulet
A Southern brunch classic that’s an easy way to stretch leftovers.
Tips for Using Leftover Turkey
- Refrigerate leftover turkey within 2 hours of serving and use it within 3 to 4 days.
- Shred or chop the turkey before storing so it’s ready to drop into soups and casseroles.
- Freeze extra turkey in recipe-size bags with a little broth to keep it moist.
- Use 1 cup of chopped turkey anywhere a recipe calls for 1 cup of cooked chicken.
Leftover Turkey FAQs
How long is leftover turkey good for?
Cooked turkey keeps 3 to 4 days in the fridge or about 3 months in the freezer.
Can I use turkey in chicken recipes?
Yes. Cooked turkey works in almost any recipe that calls for cooked chicken, like casseroles, soups and dumplings.
What’s the easiest way to use up leftover turkey?
Turkey hash and casseroles are the quickest, since they use cooked turkey and pantry staples.
I can’t wait to make turkey n dumplings.
One of my favorites was always a Turkey, Stuffing and Cranberry Sandwich
I agree. Leftovers were as good as the original meal! But nothing beats the family, interactions, humor, and stories of Thanksgivings past.
I’m going to make turkey enchiladas (sp?) tonight with some of our leftovers. Figured I’d do them the same way as my chicken ones. I’ll let you know how they turn out.
-Lindsay and the wonder twins
Only problem is we never have much turkey left over. My family loves roast turkey.
oh yay!! i just put 80 pounds of chicken in my freezer, so these recipes will save me! 🙂
I have a great recipe for leftover turkey called “turkey pot pie soup” on my blog. It even uses the leftover stuffing!
Thanks for the Turkey recipes!
I made your Chocolate Pecan Pie for Turkey day….Oh law’! It was delishous! My family loved it. And said…. They wanted them for Christmas…thanks for all you do!