Have extra turkey from your holiday dinner? Here are 5 easy leftover turkey recipes that will help you to gobble it down!
The feast may be over, but your Thanksgiving turkey is the gift that keeps on giving! While there’s something magical about that first plate of holiday turkey, the real culinary adventure begins the next day. Instead of facing an endless parade of basic turkey sandwiches, let’s transform those leftovers into exciting new dishes that your family will actually look forward to. From cozy casseroles to vibrant salads, these recipes will breathe new life into every precious morsel of your remaining turkey.
Why You’ll Love These Easy Leftover Turkey Recipes
- They’re simple and delicious recipes you and your family will love.
- You are getting rid of leftovers! What can be better than that?
- These tips apply to any protein, NOT just turkey! So, make a batch of shredded chicken [link to my shredded chicken how-to], and the same rules apply.
- Did I mention you can freeze cooked protein too? So save some extra turkey in freezer bags and use it later for soups or stews!
Tips for Using Leftover Turkey
- Sprinkle some water on the turkey when you reheat it to rehydrate it
- Use what you have! There’s no need for any food to go to waste!
- If you still have leftovers, and you are done eating turkey, freeze it! You can always save it for another time.
Here’s How I’m Going to Gobbling Up Leftover Turkey
- BBQ Turkey Sandwiches: No recipe needed here folks. Just take that turkey, heat it up in a skillet with some BBQ sauce, then plate it on top of a roll or bun! I’m going to take ours to the next level by adding a crunchy coleslaw topping.
- Turkey Noodle Soup: Yep, just like chicken noodle. Except you add turkey! My favorite chicken noodle has lots of roasted garlic, which pairs nicely with turkey too!
- Turkey Tacos: I told you this was going to be easy! Turkey and taco seasoning sounds like a weird combo, but I swear once you mix the two with your favorite salsa and taco toppings, you won’t be disappointed!
- Turkey Stir-Fry: All you need is a basic stir-fry recipe and at the last minute toss in the cooked turkey!
- Turkey Panini: I’ve got you covered with my favorite recipe right here.
With these creative recipes in your arsenal, leftover turkey becomes less of a post-holiday challenge and more of a delicious opportunity. The best part? These dishes don’t just prevent food waste – they create entirely new meals that might even rival your Thanksgiving feast. So wrap up those turkey leftovers with confidence, knowing that tomorrow’s dinner will be anything but boring. After all, the only thing better than a wonderful holiday meal is enjoying its delicious encore performances. Happy cooking!
