Leftover Turkey Recipes

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It’s the day after Thanksgiving, what do you do with all the leftover turkey? No worries! We have just the recipes for you! Enjoy soup, sandwiches, casseroles, and even pizza that will elevate your turkey leftovers from boring to brilliant.

A collage of leftover turkey recipes including casseroles, soups, sandwiches, and pizza
From top left: Turkey Noodle Soup, Turkey Bacon Avocado Pizza, Thanksgiving Leftover Casserole, Pilgrim Sandwich
Featured in this post
  1. Thanksgiving Leftover Casserole
  2. Pilgrim Sandwich
  3. Turkey Pot Pie
  4. Chicken Noodle Soup (with turkey)
  5. Deli Turkey Sandwich (with leftover turkey)
  6. Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole (with turkey)
  7. Chicken Broccoli Casserole (with turkey)
  8. Turkey Bacon Avocado Pizza
  9. Turkey Bacon Avocado Panini
  10. More Ideas for Leftover Turkey

Thanksgiving Leftover Casserole

This Thanksgiving Dinner Leftover recipe is so easy. It’s made with leftover thanksgiving turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, vegetables, and cranberry sauce all layered in a casserole dish. It all cooks at the same time and can easily be modified according to how much of each leftover you have. If you have a ton of leftovers, you can double this recipe and cook it in a 9×13 pan. You can also adapt the ingredients you use in the casserole to fit your preferences, tastes, and what you have left over in the fridge from Thanksgiving Dinner.

Side view of a casserole in a glass baking dish


A scoop of Thanksgiving Leftover Casserole on a white plate with a fork next to it
Thanksgiving Leftover Casserole
5 from 55 votes
Thanksgiving Leftover Casserole combines all the flavors of the big meal in a simple, easy to make, never dried out dish. This is the best way to use up those leftovers!

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Pilgrim Sandwich

This Pilgrim Sandwich is one of the best things about Thanksgiving! Sometimes I look forward more to the leftover turkey sandwich than the actual meal. We usually eat on leftovers for a couple of days, but I like to switch it up so we don’t get tired of eating the same things. This delicious combination of sweet cranberry sauce, savory leftover stuffing and all the other fixings is what makes this sandwich so irresistible. 

A Thanksgiving leftover pilgrim sandwich cut in half with one half stacked on the other
A Thanksgiving leftover pilgrim sandwich cut in half with one half stacked on the other
Pilgrim Sandwich
5 from 2 votes
This Pilgrim Sandwich is a delicious way to use up Thanksgiving leftovers. All the best parts of the big meal piled onto a sweet and savory sandwich.
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Turkey Pot Pie

If you’re looking for a great way to turn leftover turkey meat into a meal that deserves a spotlight of its own, this Turkey Pot Pie recipe is the way to go. The dough for the crust comes together in no time, and pairs so well with turkey, your favorite veggies and a rich, creamy sauce. Our family looks forward to this dinner almost as much as Thanksgiving itself!

Side view of a whole Easy Turkey Pot Pie. Celery, carrots and onion on the side.
Spatula holding a slice of Easy Turkey Pot Pie over the whole Turkey Pot Pie.
Turkey Pot Pie
5 from 5 votes
Looking for the perfect dish to make with leftover turkey? Try this turkey pot pie!
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Chicken Noodle Soup (with turkey)

This classic Chicken Noodle Soup can easily be made into a turkey soup on the stovetop, in the crockpot, or in the Instant Pot. Since the turkey is already cooked, follow the soup directions starting on step 4, and use canned chicken broth (or turkey broth, if you have it). If cooking the soup in the crockpot, follow the directions for step 1 and 2, then add all the ingredients, except the noodles. Since you don’t need the turkey to cook, cook on high for 2 hours to warm everything through and cook the carrots, then add the noodles.

Chicken Noodle Soup that has been cooked in a crockpot
Spoon resting in bowl of Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup.
Mom’s Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup
4.77 from 13 votes
This Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup is truly good for the soul. Rich broth, chunks of juicy chicken and tender noodles create a comfort classic that is ready in no time!
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Deli Turkey Sandwich (with leftover turkey)

The possibilities are endless when it comes to turkey sandwiches. A platter of turkey sandwiches are the ultimate comfort food. They can be simple with just turkey and cheese. They can also be dressed up with all sorts of delicious flavor combinations. When using leftover turkey, simply replace the deli turkey with your leftover turkey.

Turkey sandwich with toppings on a cutting board
Turkey sandwich with toppings on a cutting board
Turkey Sandwich (Deli Style)
4.95 from 17 votes
Nothing beats a simple, deli turkey sandwich. Try this easy 5-minute sandwich or one of our five different variations!
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Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole (with turkey)

This casserole is made with ingredients I always have in the pantry and it comes together in a snap. Pair it with a simple green salad and a side of steamed rice. See the notes in the recipe for making this into a leftover turkey casserole, instead of using chicken. The cook time is cut in half when using already cooked turkey.

Poppy seed chicken casserole being scooped from a baking dish
Plate with Poppy Seed Chicken, broccoli and a fork with a piece of Poppy Seed Chicken.
Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole
5 from 7 votes
Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole is a tangy, filling meal that the whole family will love! Tender chicken, crispy crust and a sauce to die for. Perfect for busy weeknights.
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Chicken Broccoli Casserole (with turkey)

This Chicken Broccoli Casserole is a recipe my Mom made ALL the time when we were kids. The only difference is, she always used rice instead of quinoa. We know it works either way, so feel free to do it the original way with rice. To substitute turkey, simply replace the 3 cups of shredded chicken with 3 cups of shredded turkey. Dark and white turkey meat both work great.

Cheesy chicken rice broccoli casserole in a bowl
Chicken Rice and Broccoli Casserole
5 from 8 votes
This chicken rice and broccoli casserole is a creamy, cheesy, yummy home-cooked dinner! Whether you use rice or quinoa, you have a filling, simple meal option. 
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Turkey Bacon Avocado Pizza

This Turkey Bacon Avocado Pizza is sure to please the entire family! Ripe, fresh avocado and plump, juicy tomatoes pair perfectly with the bacon, cheese and a Ranch dressing sauce. Simply replace the deli turkey in this recipe with leftover turkey. This pizza is vibrant and so flavorful, it’ll become a family favorite for sure!

Turkey Bacon Avocado Pizza with a Slice Being Pulled Up
Turkey Bacon Avocado Pizza
5 from 3 votes
This Turkey Bacon Avocado pizza is sure to please the entire family! It is like a club sandwich in pizza form. Light, fresh, and full of flavor!
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Turkey Bacon Avocado Panini

Don’t you just love the combination of a Turkey Bacon Avocado Sandwich? The flavors are fabulous – especially with leftover roasted turkey! We got the idea from the “Gobbler” sandwiches at Pizza Factory. The traditional restaurant Gobblers at Pizza Factory use a hoagie-type bread. For this, we decided to try a panini style sandwich and we love it even more. The grilled taste makes it that much better.

A Turkey Bacon Avocado Sandwich on a cutting board
Hot Turkey Sandwiches
5 from 4 votes
We LOVE this Hot Turkey Bacon Avocado Sandwich. It is a true family favorite copycat recipe of the Gobbler at Pizza Factory.
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More Ideas for Leftover Turkey

Having leftover turkey is such a great problem to have – and one we enjoy solving! In addition to the recipes above, here are some more ideas for enjoying moist, delicious turkey.

  • Leftover Turkey Chili: Replace ground beef with diced turkey.
  • Chicken Enchilada Chili: Use turkey instead of chicken.
  • Leftover Turkey Enchiladas: Replace the chicken with turkey.
  • Turkey Salad: Make a chef salad using turkey and bacon, or make a taco salad layering tortilla chips, turkey, beans, cheese, diced tomatoes, diced avocado, green onion, salsa and sour cream.
  • Turkey Pasta: Serve turkey and your favorite Alfredo or pesto sauce over pasta or egg noodles.
  • If you have leftover turkey, but need a break from leftovers for awhile, place the turkey in a resealable freezer bag and store in the freezer for 3-4 months. Thaw by placing in the refrigerator overnight, and then use them in your favorite recipe.


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About the author

Echo Blickenstaff

Echo lives in Pleasant Grove, Utah with her husband, Todd, who works in advertising, and her four kids: two girls and two boys. She deploys her accounting degree as the blog’s resident problem solver. In her time outside the kitchen, Echo loves to get away from the phones and busy schedules and spend quality time with the family. Anywhere’s great – but getting out into nature in the mountains or on the beach – is the best kind of getaway.

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