Thanksgiving…Christmas…Everyone loves a turkey dinner! However, once the dinner is finished, and you’ve had a day or two of leftovers, most people wonder what to do with leftover turkey. Here are a few great ideas to help you once you’re past the turkey dinner, and are now drowning in leftover turkey.

10 Ideas for What to do With Leftover Turkey

  1. Turkey sandwiches. Ok this one might be kind of obvious, but you can also get creative. Besides a traditional turkey and mayonnaise sandwich, how about a turkey wrap, with grated veggies, cream cheese and cranberry sauce? How about toasted turkey sandwiches? For these we just make some toast, pile on the turkey, and then pour over some leftover gravy. Mmmmm….
  2. Turkey pot pie. This is another simple, but delicious idea. Mix some turkey with mushroom soup, or leftover gravy, throw in some frozen mixed veggies, or some leftover potatoes and carrots, combine and bake inside a pie shell. This is usually a favorite with most families!
  3. Turkey casserole. Layer some sliced potatoes, carrots, frozen veggies or rice. If using rice, add water. Top with turkey and a couple of cans of condensed tomato soup, or mushroom soup, depending on what you like. Bake for 1-3 hours (depending on whether your veggies are cooked or not) and voila! You have another healthy, delicious meal that you’ve made with leftover turkey!
  4. Creamed turkey. Make a cream sauce with milk and flour, then add turkey, and salt and pepper. This is delicious served over toast, or noodles!
  5. Turkey fajitas. Use up your turkey in tortilla shells, with grilled peppers or onions, cheese and sour cream. You can also add refried beans, salsa, chopped tomatoes, lettuce…anything, really that you like to put inside tacos or fajitas.
  6. Turkey soup. Make up a broth with stock and cook some veggies such as onions, carrots, potatoes, celery, turnips, whatever you like inside a hearty soup. You can also add some barley, lentils, beans…you get the idea! Once the veggies and grains/beans are fully cooked, add your cooked turkey and simmer for another 20 minutes or so, and serve!
  7. Turkey stew. Make as above, but before serving, combine about 1 cup flour with 3 cups cold water, shake well, and stir into the soup to make a thick, yummy stew. You can also make dumplings to cook on the top of the stew.
  8. Turkey stir fry. Chop up your favorite stir fry vegetables, such as carrots, broccoli, onions, bean sprouts, etc. Stir fry in oil in your wok, using the lid to steam them, stirring often. Add the turkey and some teriyaki sauce, and serve over rice.
  9. Turkey salad. Take some greens (lettuce, spinach, etc), add some grated or chopped veggies, such as carrots, beets, broccoli, mushrooms, red onions. Add chopped turkey and walnuts, if you like, and serve with your favorite salad dressing.
  10. And the last idea (but certainly not least) for what to do with leftover turkey (this one is delicious) – Turkey pizza. Get some pizza shells, add some tomato sauce, turkey, cheese and any other favorite pizza toppings. Bake in the oven until done.

Now you’ve got plenty of ideas for what to do with leftover turkey! Next Thanksgiving or Christmas you can enjoy the turkey dinner AND the days of continuous turkey that follow!