Wondering what to do with all that leftover turkey from the big holiday feast? Here are 12 easy leftover turkey ideas to use those Thanksgiving leftovers! There are turkey casseroles, turkey soups and, of course, a turkey cranberry sandwich, just to name a few. Let’s dig into these delicious leftover turkey recipes, shall we?
Happy Thanksgiving to all my Canadian friends! I hope you stuffed your face (like I did) with a big ol’ plate of yummy food!
Aside from Christmas day dinner, Thanksgiving is one of my all time fave foodie days. I love turkey, of course, but that dressing (aka stuffing) and gravy? So good!
If you find yourself with tons of leftovers, I’ve rounded up 12 easy recipes using leftover turkey from myself and fellow blogger friends. You’ll be wishing you cooked a larger turkey cause you’re gonna want to try all of these!
12 Easy Leftover Turkey Ideas
Turkey Cranberry Sandwich from me (Girl Heart Food): This turkey cranberry sandwich is your answer! This grilled cheese sandwich combines lots of turkey, tart cranberry sauce, creamy goat cheese and melty mozzarella for one comforting bite!
Turkey Shepherd’ Pie from The Cozy Cook (pictured below & photo credit): Juicy turkey tossed with a medley of vegetables and gravy. All topped with cheesy mashed potatoes and baked until golden.
Turkey Gouda Party Rolls from Nourish and Fete (pictured below & photo credit): These turkey gouda rolls with honey mustard glaze are quick and easy to prepare. Such a unique way to use those Thanksgiving leftovers.
Easy Stromboli Recipe from Lemons for LuLu (pictured below & photo credit): Store-bought pizza dough and leftover holiday turkey make this recipe a snap to prepare!
Dump and Bake Turkey Tetrazzini from The Seasoned Mom (pictured below & photo credit): This dump and bake turkey tetrazzini is the perfect way to use up leftover turkey and so so easy to prepare.
Turkey and Dumplings from The Anthony Kitchen (pictured below & photo credit): This one features leftover turkey (of course), carrots, celery, and homemade dumplings. So comforting and delicious!
Kale and Butternut Squash Turkey Soup from Taste and See (pictured below & photo credit): This turkey soup is hearty, healthy and absolutely delicious! With homemade stock, butternut squash, potatoes, kale, turkey, sage and thyme, it’s an easy and healthy dinner.
Turkey Frittata from Fuss Free Flavours (pictured below & photo credit): This leftover roast turkey frittata only takes a few minutes to make but tastes great and is a brilliant way of using up those turkey leftovers.
Tuscan Turkey Tortellini Soup from Garlic and Zest (pictured below & photo credit): This one has a savory broth and pillowy cheese-filled tortellini! Sounds good, right?
Turkey Croque Monsieur or Turkey Croque Madame from The Flavor Bender (pictured below & photo credit): A glorious turkey variation of a classic French sandwich, this Turkey Croque Monsieur is perfect for using up Thanksgiving leftovers! For a twist, top it with a fried egg for a Turkey Croque Madame.
Easy Creamy Leftover Turkey Pasta Recipe from Salt and Lavender (pictured below & photo credit): This easy creamy leftover turkey pasta recipe is ready in only 20 minutes. And who doesn’t love pasta?
Turkey Quinoa Pumpkin Soup from Yang’s Nourishing Kitchen (pictured below & photo credit): This turkey quinoa pumpkin soup is a nourishing cold weather soup with a bone broth base.
And if you find yourself too tired or just not in the mood to cook right away, cold leftover turkey with plenty of Dijon mustard is never a bad idea, if you ask me.
Hope you find some inspiration with these 12 comforting recipes using leftover turkey.
Terri
I love all these ideas for leftover turkey. I love turkey soo much that I’ll cook one 3X what we need just to have the leftovers. But I always end up looking for ideas. Now I have some 🙂
Girl Heart Food
Haha – right?? Leftovers are so good! Thanks Terri 🙂
Denise from Urb’n’Spice
You are right, Dawn – I am going to have to rethink the size of my turkey next time so that I can try all of these recipes! What a terrific recipe roundup. I am pinning to try! Many thanks for sharing all of these great turkey leftover recipes. 💗👏
Girl Heart Food
Haha – right?? Thanks so much Denise 🙂
Elaine
Great round-up, Dawn! While everyone loves those turkey sandwiches stuffed with stuffing and cranberry sauce, it’s nice to switch things up. I’m drooling over that shepherd’s pie!
Girl Heart Food
I agree! Thanks so much, Elaine 🙂
Miriam
So many amazing ideas for leftover Turkey! We don’t celebrate Thanksgiving here in the UK but I am already dreaming of Christmas dinner and there are always some leftovers. Pinned this for later this year. We are having my parents in law staying with us so this will come in very handy! Have a nice weekend ahead, Dawn!
Girl Heart Food
Thank you Miriam! Hope you find something you love 🙂 Have a great weekend too!
Jeff the Chef
I think my favorite would be the rolls. Thanks for the idea!
Girl Heart Food
Can’t go wrong with homemade rolls, fresh out of the oven 🙂
mimi rippee
All fabulous ideas! You know my favorite is that sandwich with the cranberries and brie! I’ve also enjoyed making salads with greens, wild rice, roasted vegetables that are leftover, and using some cranberry sauce/chutney in a vinaigrette. It’s like Thanksgiving all over again.
Girl Heart Food
So true! The leftovers are just as good as the main meal! Thanks so much Mimi 🙂 Have a great weekend ahead!
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen
I will most certainly be needing this list in a few weeks Dawn! Sounds like you had a great Thanksgiving! Thanks for sharing!
Girl Heart Food
I bet 😉 Thanks Mary Ann!
Helen @ Fuss Free Flavours
What a fantastic selection of ideas, something here for everyone, and to use up all of the largest turkeys.
Thank you for including my frittata.
Girl Heart Food
My pleasure! Thanks Helen 🙂
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop
I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! This is a great collection of leftover recipes! 🙂
Girl Heart Food
Thanks so much Kathy 🙂
Laura
Dawn, I’m totally with you on the dressing and gravy being the best part of Thanksgiving, but these turkey recipes are so welcome! It’s not Thanksgiving here for another 5-6 weeks, but i’M thrilled to have these recipes ahead of time. I love the idea of a turkey frittata, and, of course, any soup is perfect! Thanks for the ideas!
Girl Heart Food
Thanks Laura! I’m sure it’ll be here before you know it…the year is going way too fast!
Milena
Saving all the ideas. Who doesn’t have the problem of leftover food after Thanksgiving feasts? Pinning and will enjoy soon:)
Girl Heart Food
Haha – right?? Thanks Milena 🙂
Bill @ Suppertime Blues
You know, I’ve got many of these in reserve already, but your sandwiches with cranberry sound amazing. And maybe even more using the spinach. How did I raise a family that refuses to eat the last handful of spinach every time, I’ll never know. Thanks for the ideas and Happy (early) Thanksgiving!
Girl Heart Food
Hahaha! Maybe it’ll change their mind about spinach if they have it on this sandwich 😉 Thanks Bill!
Leanne | Crumb Top Baking
I’m with you Dawn! Thanksgiving is my favourite meal behind Christmas dinner! And as much as I love freshly cooked turkey, the leftovers are usually my favourite! Turkey sandwiches and turkey soup are at the top of my list, but I love all the other recipes in this roundup! Thanks for sharing! And Happy Thanksgiving!
Girl Heart Food
Right?? Thanks Leanne – hope you had a delicious one 😉
[email protected]
Happy Thanksgiving, my friend! This is an incredible round-up! I’ll be flagging this one for future keeps!!! Have a wonderful week! XOXO
Girl Heart Food
Thank you Annie! You too 🙂 XOXO
David @ Spiced
First of all, Happy Thanksgiving, Dawn! I always love Thanksgiving as well, and I’m looking forward to ours in a few weeks. And I do love fun ways to mix up the Turkey Day leftovers, so all of these ideas need to go on my list! Would it be bad to admit that I sometimes make more turkey than we need on purpose? That way I have leftovers for ideas like these! It’s true! 🙂
Girl Heart Food
Leftovers are SO good! Thanks so much David 🙂 Have a wonderful week ahead!
Holly
I can’t wait for Thanksgiving so I have leftovers to make all these recipes! They all look so good but that Turkey Cranberry Sandwich is calling my name – yum!
Kelly | Foodtasia
Such a great collection of recipes! I definitely need these and they all look so good. This has certainly gotten me excited for Thanksgiving!
Blair
So cozy and delicious! Thanks for including my tetrazzini in this roundup! 🙂
Natasha @ Salt & Lavender
Thanks for including me in this roundup! These meals look better than the original roast turkeys haha.
Girl Heart Food
Happy to! Thanks Natasha…I love those leftovers 😉
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen
LOVELOVELOVE this roundup! I’m definitely going to save it for November and our Thanksgiving; I always cook about 300 times more food than I need :). Happy Thanksgiving, Dawn! Hope you’re having a fabulous weekend!
Girl Heart Food
Thanks Kelsie!! Leftovers are always a good thing, if you ask me 😉