23 Easy Turkey Leftovers Recipes

These 23 Easy Turkey Leftovers Recipes are just the inspiration that I need after a big roast dinner. I hope they inspire you too and you’ll return often to this easy-to-use resource. You will find everything here from soup and sandwich ideas to pies, salads, and all kinds of creative meals using leftover turkey.

Turkey leftovers

I always have leftovers when I cook turkey. I don’t have a very big family but still like to cook and eat turkey at Christmas and sometimes at Easter too.

In the US turkey is traditional at Thanksgiving in November, but whenever you eat it you can pretty much guarantee that there will be cold turkey left for at least one more meal.

What is a Turkey?

The Common Turkey is a native game bird of North America that has been widely domesticated for the table. They got their name because they were imported into Europe from Turkey and people there thought they were a type of African guinea fowl that became known as a turkey fowl. Britannica.com

Why do we eat turkey?

Turkey is eaten at Thanksgiving in the US because it is a native bird to the Americas. There is some dispute over whether the Pilgrims ate turkey at the first Thanksgiving dinner. Contemporary accounts mention ‘fowl’ but the people of the time certainly hunted wild turkeys. Now turkey has become a symbol of Thanksgiving which is also sometimes known as ‘Turkey Day’.

King Henry VII (1491-1547) is known to have eaten turkey alongside other birds such as swans and peacocks. But the turkey was expensive compared to goose which was the usual festive fare for the less well off.

It was only after WW2 when turkey began to be cheaper to rear, that people in the UK started to choose to eat turkey at Christmas.

Easy Turkey Leftovers Sandwiches

A sandwich is by far the easiest thing to make with leftover turkey but sometimes a turkey sandwich can seem a bit boring after all the fabulous feasting. Here are two turkey sandwiches that are never boring and very satisfying.

Coronation Turkey is a recipe based on the classic Coronation Chicken that was served after the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. This mild curried dressing lifts leftover turkey to a really special treat.

The Best Leftover Turkey Club Sub Sandwich

Make this luscious leftover turkey sandwich on the day after your big feast, be it Thanksgiving or Christmas.  When served like this you’ll find the leftovers are just as popular as the main event.

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Leftovers Legend! The Great Christmas Turkey, Stuffing, Bacon & Cranberry Club Sandwich

My recipe today is for a Turkey, Stuffing, Bacon & Cranberry Club Sandwich – packed with turkey, stuffing, bacon and sausage (pigs in blankets) as well as cranberry sauce, this is sandwich to set you up for a heavy day of shopping, playing sport or visiting family.

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Easy Turkey Leftovers Salad Recipes

Salad is always welcome as a lighter meal. And it’s also very easy to assemble some fresh, colourful ingredients to really set off the turkey.

Coronation Turkey

Coronation Turkey quickly transforms your leftover turkey into a classic to serve with salads and in sandwiches. An easy and excellent way to use your Thanksgiving or Christmas leftovers.

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Turkey Cranberry Salad with Lime Dressing

This delicious leftover turkey cranberry salad comes with a zesty, refreshing creamy lime and mint dressing and is ready in under 20 minutes!

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Thai Style Leftover Turkey Lettuce Wraps – Eat Cook Explore

What do you do with all that leftover turkey after Christmas? If you are tired of the go to recipe of Coronation Turkey or turkey sandwiches, try this recipe with a little bit of zing. I like to spice up my leftover turkey and this is a very quick and tasty Thai inspired recipe. It’s […]

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Easy Turkey Leftovers Curry Recipes

The British love of curry is legendary and leftover turkey curry has become a tradtion for many families.

Easy Leftover Turkey Biryani

This leftover Turkey Biryani recipe is easy and quick to prepare. Absolutely delicious it turns leftovers into a feast and all made in one pot

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Turkey rogan josh – https://www.theslimmingfoodie.com/

Turkey rogan josh Perfect for your Christmas turkey leftovers- a tasty, rich curry that is also super-healthy!

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Leftover Turkey Curry

A quick and easy curry, perfect for using up leftover turkey and a fantastic family meal for boxing day.

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Easy Turkey Leftovers Pasta & Rice Recipes

Pasta and rice are great larder standby ingredients and ideal to stretch your turkey leftovers further.

Leftover Turkey and Leek Pasta Bake

A super easy pasta bake and a great way to turn leftover turkey, chicken or ham into another delicious meal for your family. 

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Leftover Turkey Fried Rice Recipe

It’s such a quick and easy recipe to make with leftover turkey after Thanksgiving, and won’t taste like a “leftover” meal!

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Turkey, Chestnut, Bacon & Prosecco Oven-Baked Risotto – Casa Costello

You don’t want to start slaving over a stove making a traditional risotto in the holidays. So an oven-baked risotto and it was so easy and perfect for using up leftovers.

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Comfort Food Turkey Leftovers Recipes

These Comfort Food Turkey Leftovers Recipes are ideal for family meals when you just need a bit of a warm hug for dinner.

Leftover Turkey Ragu

If you want a tasty way of using up some of your leftover Christmas turkey then this turkey ragu is perfect.

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North Country Creamed Turkey & Celery Hash – Lavender and Lovage

A delicious dish using leftovers and seasonal Fenland Celery that is comforting and easy to make, this dish originates from the North Country in England.

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Genius Potato, Turkey and Stuffing Layered Leftovers: Better than Thanksgiving Day’s Dinner!

A fabulous way to create a dish that doesn’t taste like leftovers, from Thanksgiving leftovers!

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Easy Turkey Leftovers Soup Recipes

I never throw away the carcasse of my turkey, simply boiled with some vegetables, the stock can be made into a delicous warming soup. Here are some ideas:

Chicken and Pearl Barley Broth

A classic country soup made from chicken, carrots and pearl barley. It is warming and filling and very easy to make.

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Turkey Soup with Butternut Squash (Chowder Style)

This creamy Turkey Soup with Butternut Squash is a great way of remembering that “Turkey is not just for Christmas”. Chowder style soup is also one of my favourite ways to use up leftovers!

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Turkey Wild Rice Soup: use up holiday leftovers deliciously!

Turkey Wild Rice Soup makes the most of your leftover turkey meat and homemade turkey stock for a delicious, hearty soup your family will love.

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Easy Turkey Leftovers Pie Recipes

When you have a little more time, then I really urge you to make a pie or a tart with your leftover turkey. It has to be my favourite way to eat leftovers because it doesn’t feel like leftovers at all!

Cheese, Bacon & Turkey Quiche

The perfect way to use leftover turkey, cheese and cream to make a tasty tart.

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Leftover Turkey Shepherd’s Pie

A tasty mix of leftover turkey meat, pork stuffing and chipolata sausages topped with mashed potato and baked in the oven.

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Easy Tex Mex Turkey Leftovers Recipes

Tex Mex recipes are a favourite in our house and you can adjust the spice to suit your own family. Turkey leftovers work so well with the casual style of this popular cuisine.

Tortilla wraps with turkey and beans – Turkey recipe – Cooking Journey Blog

This is a good recipe if you want a snack on the go. Turkey and beans are main ingredients, which means that you will have meal that is rich in protein. These wraps will satisfy your cravings and, to my mind, it’s much better than a burger!

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Leftover Turkey, Brie and Cranberry Quesadillas

Forget curry, casserole or cold meat spreads; these leftover turkey quesadillas will keep your family in the festive spirit between Boxing Day & New Year!

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Creamy Green Chile Turkey Enchiladas

Creamy Green Chile Turkey Enchiladas are a delicious way to use up your roast turkey or chicken leftovers. Assembling the enchiladas is a fun activity with kids, or with your “Friendsgiving” or holiday dinner guests. You can make the cream sauce in advance to simplify your workflow at dinnertime!

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