15 Creative Leftover Turkey Recipes for Delicious Meals

I’m a little obsessive about making the most of leftovers, and Thanksgiving is peak leftover season. Sure, turkey sandwiches are classic, but after a few days you want new, exciting ways to use up that meat so the family looks forward to meals all week long.

Below you’ll find a variety of tasty ideas for leftover Thanksgiving turkey. Anywhere you can use shredded chicken, you can usually substitute turkey — it’s a great way to stretch leftovers into delicious dinners.

What Is the Best Way to Store Cooked Turkey?

When possible, remove the meat from the bones and reserve the carcass, bones, skin, and trimmings to make a rich turkey stock. Deboning and slicing the meat lets you pack it more compactly, reduces air exposure, and helps it last longer. Leftover turkey can also be frozen—whole, sliced, or cubed—for later use.

Any cooked turkey that won’t be eaten right away should be sealed and refrigerated within two hours of serving. If it’s been left out significantly longer, its quality and safety will decline.

How Long Can Leftover Cooked Turkey Stay in the Fridge?

If you chill the turkey promptly, it will keep in the refrigerator for up to four, sometimes five, days. If you plan to freeze it, try to freeze within a day for best texture, though freezing within three days is still acceptable. Use airtight containers or freezer bags to prevent drying and freezer burn.

How Do You Reheat Leftover Turkey?

Turkey can dry out when reheated, so gentle methods work best. Place the turkey in a baking pan, add a little chicken or turkey broth to the bottom, cover tightly with foil, and warm in a 300°F oven until heated through. Discard any excess pan liquid if desired.

Microwaving also works: put turkey in a microwave-safe dish with a splash of broth and cover with a damp paper towel. If your microwave turntable won’t fit the dish, use the oven instead.

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15 Recipes Using Leftover Turkey

Many of the recipes below are often made with chicken, but they work beautifully with leftover turkey. Each entry includes a short description so you can pick what suits your family’s tastes.

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