13 leftover turkey recipes to use up that leftover turkey after the big meal. Great recipes to make turkey leftovers into more great meals!
The big turkey dinner is one of my favourite meals. And I know I’m not alone there.
It’s probably just because we don’t have that giant meal very often, only a couple times a year usually, which makes it such a favourite.
But does everyone get just as excited for the turkey leftovers?
I have to admit that I do.
Now maybe it’s because I’m the cook at my house, but I’m perfectly happy just have turkey sandwiches and reheated turkey dinner until all the turkey leftovers are gone. The rest of my family doesn’t get quite as excited for this plan as I do though.
They like the leftover meal once, sandwiches once, and then they’re kind of done with the turkey.
Which is unfortunate, because there’s definitely still a lot of turkey left at that point. I may have a problem with always buying the biggest turkey I can find. What can I say? It’s no more effort to cook a big turkey so why not?
But, since no one is happy eating sandwiches for at least a week, I’ve had to start coming up with “new” meals to use the turkey leftovers in. This way my job is easier – cooking is so fast when your meat is already cooked and ready to use – and everyone in the house is happy because it’s not a “leftover” meal again.
Since I know everyone else is looking for ways to use up that turkey too, I’ve rounded up 13 of our favourite leftover turkey recipes for you.
Most of these leftover turkey recipes are written for chicken – simply replace the chicken with cooked, chopped turkey and you’re good to go. If the recipe calls for cooking the chicken, you can obviously skip that step. A couple of these call for ground chicken or turkey – skip the cooking step and use chopped, cooked turkey instead – it will turn out great this way as well.
13 Amazing Leftover Turkey Recipes:
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Chicken Pot Pie:
I’ve made this chicken pot pie with chopped, cooked turkey many times. It’s usually the first thing I think of making when there’s leftover turkey to use up. It might be even better with turkey then it is with chicken!
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One Pot Turkey Mushroom Tortellini:
This tortellini calls for ground turkey. Simply skip the browning step, and add cooked, chopped turkey instead.
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30 Minute Chicken Noodle Soup:
I make this soup every time I have turkey leftovers – just as good, if not better then chicken noodle soup.
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Buffalo Chicken Pizza:
This pizza is definitely a favourite – it calls for cooked, shredded chicken, so chopped turkey works well here too!
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Chicken Corn Chowder:
This soup is amazing with turkey instead of chicken. One of our favourite soup recipes.
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Thai Chicken and Vegetable Soup:
Soup recipes that use chicken are typically good with turkey too. This Thai chicken and vegetable soup is fantastic and would be great with turkey as well.
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Creamy One Pot Turkey and Rice:
This one pot meal that uses leftover turkey is a reader favourite. So easy, and so tasty, it’s the perfect leftover meal!
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Chicken Pot Pie Soup:
This soup might be even better with turkey than it is with chicken. And I love it with chicken.
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Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Soup:
This chicken taco soup is fast and easy to make – replace the chicken breast with about 3 cups of cooked, chopped turkey.
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Buffalo Chicken Pizza Rolls :
These great pizza rolls freeze well and taste fantastic. Replace the chopped cooked chicken with chopped turkey.
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Greek Pasta Salad:
Add some chopped turkey to this pasta salad to make it a full meal.
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Pesto Chicken Pull Apart Sliders:
These little sandwiches take just minutes to put together, and are SO tasty. Just as good with turkey as they are with chicken!
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Peanut Chicken Stir Fry:
Skip the cooking step for the chicken, and instead toss in some cooked, chopped turkey at the end, just long enough to heat it through. Super fast and easy meal that everyone will love.
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I can’t get the recipe for chicken pull apart sliders’
So sorry for the late response here, I’ve been taking some time off to spend with family over the holidays! Here’s the link: https://bake-eat-repeat.com/pesto-chicken-pull-apart-sliders-recipe/, and I’ve updated it in the post too. So sorry that wasn’t in there properly for you!
All great ideas! I decided to cook a turkey on New Year’s Day, so I’ll keep these ideas on hand. There are only two of us now, but leftovers are always welcome!
Just made the Creamy One Pot Turkey and Rice. It was outstanding! It will feed 6 because everyone will want seconds.
So glad you liked it!