When you think of Thanksgiving, what comes to mind? For many people, it’s the turkey. And after the big meal is over and everyone has left, all that’s left are a few pieces of leftover turkey. What should you do with these tasty morsels? Well don’t worry! We have 20 quick and simple recipes for leftover turkey that will help make your day extra delicious! From sandwiches to soups to casseroles, we’ve got you covered.

7 Best Tips to Organize Thanksgiving Dinner

• Make a list of all the dishes you’ll need to make
• Plan out how many people are coming so you know how much food to buy
• Write down what dish is being served with each course, and who will be bringing it
• Create a grocery list based on your plan for the menu
• Choose recipes that can be made ahead of time if possible
• Read through all recipes again before starting cooking
• Don’t get to overwhelmed and try to make things perfect, take your time, and don’t be the only one getting everything together. Assign other family members with tasks to make it easier for you.

21 Best Recipes for Your Leftover Turkey

1: Leftover Turkey and Stuffing Quesadillas

Ingredients:

• Leftover turkey (how much you want to use will depend on how many quesadillas you’re making)

• Stuffing mix (amount should also correlate with the number of quesadillas that you’re cooking up, and we recommend using a couple tablespoons per sandwich)

• Shredded Mexican cheese (amount should also correlate with the number of quesadillas that you’re cooking up, and we recommend using a couple tablespoons per sandwich)

• Sour cream (to garnish)

Directions:  Place all ingredients on top of one another in separate piles. Fold into quarters and place onto a preheated skillet or griddle, and cook until golden brown on each side.

2: Turkey and Apple Slaw Sandwich

Ingredients:  

• Leftover turkey (how much you want to use will depend on how many sandwiches you’re making)

• Apple Slaw (amount should also correlate with the number of sandwiches that you’re cooking up, and we recommend using a couple tablespoons per sandwich)

Directions: Place all ingredients onto bread/bun and enjoy!

3: Crock Pot Cranberry Sauce with Leftover Turkey

Ingredients:

•  Leftover turkey (how much you want to use will depend on how many crock pots you’re making)

• Cranberry sauce from a can or jar, make sure it’s chunky! (amount should also correlate with the number of crock pots that you’re cooking up, and we recommend using a couple tablespoons per sandwich)

Directions:  Combine all ingredients in a crock pot and set to low. Cook for two hours before enjoying!

4: Pan-Fried Leftover Turkey Sandwich 

Ingredients:

• Leftover turkey (how much you want to use will depend on how many sandwiches you’re making)

• White bread of choice, sliced sandwich style

Directions:  Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add some butter or oil so that the surface is lightly greased. Place your bread slices down and top with turkey, fried egg (optional), and cheese.

Place the sandwich in the pan once it’s golden brown on one side. Use a spatula to press down lightly if needed. Cook for another few minutes before flipping over and topping with your second slice of bread or serving open-faced!

5: Warm, Spicy Turkey Quinoa Soup with Leftovers 

Ingredients:  

• Leftover turkey (how much you want to use will depend on how many bowls of soup that you’re making)

• Quinoa, uncooked

• Sliced green onions or chives for garnish

Directions: In a large stock pot, combine everything except the quinoa and cook over medium-high heat for 25 minutes. Add the quinoa and cook until done (about 15-20 more minutes). Divide into bowls, serve with garnish on top, and enjoy!

6: Roasted Root Vegetables W/Leftover Turkey

Ingredients:

•  Leftover turkey (how much you want to use will depend on how many bowls of soup that you’re making)

• Onion, chopped

• Carrots, cut into chunks or slices depending on your preference

• Turnips/parsnips/rutabaga root vegetables, cut into chunks or slices depending on your preference

• Garlic, minced

• Oil of choice (I recommend olive oil)

• Water or chicken broth to cover veggies in pot by about an inch and a half.

Directions: In a stockpot over medium heat, combine the vegetables with some salt and pepper. Allow these to cook for 25 minutes before adding water/broth and simmering for another 25 minutes. Add the turkey (very well-drained, as it will be moist), salt to taste, and enjoy!

7. Leftover Turkey and Stuffing Croissant

Ingredients:

• Leftover turkey (how much you want to use will depend on how many croissants that you’re making)

• Stuffing, prepared according to the package instructions and cooled

Directions:  Place a small amount of stuffing onto each side of the croissant before topping with sliced or shredded leftover turkey. Serve warm and enjoy!

8: Mexican Turkey Tacos with Guacamole

Ingredients:

• Leftover turkey (how much you want to use will depend on how many tacos that you’re making)

• Taco shells of choice (we recommend using corn tortillas for this one, but flour tortilla is an option as well!)

• Shredded cheese or Mexican blend shredded cheese

Directions:  Place taco shells onto a plate before adding the meat, cheese, and guacamole. Serve with your favorite toppings!

9: Turkey and Cheese Quesadilla  

Ingredients:  

• Leftover turkey (how much you want to use will depend on how many quesadillas that you’re making)

• Shredded cheese of choice, Mexican blend is recommended for this recipe if available!

Directions: Place your tortilla onto a greased skillet over medium heat before adding the shredded cheese and turkey. Cook for several minutes, flip over with a spatula, add more cheese if desired before flipping once again to cook the other side. Serve warm!

10: Turkey, Cheddar, and Apple Panini 

Ingredients:  

• Leftover turkey (how much you want to use will depend on how many panini’s that you’re making)

• Bread of choice, preferably something sturdy like sourdough or French bread.

• Cheddar cheese, sliced thinly for easy melting!

Directions: Lay out your slices of bread and add a slice or two of cheddar cheese to each before adding the turkey and apple slices. Grill in panini maker for several minutes on both sides, serve with soup, salad, etc!

11:  Leftover Turkey Noodle Soup

Ingredients:  

• Leftover turkey (how much you want to use will depend on how many bowls that you’re making)

• Onion, diced or chopped depending on your preference

• Carrots, sliced thin for easy cooking and eating!

• Celery stalks, sliced thin for easy cooking an eating!

• Spiral Noodles

Directions: In a stockpot over medium heat, combine the vegetables with some salt and pepper. Allow these to cook for 25 minutes before adding water/broth and simmering for another 25 minutes. Cook noodles separately. Add your turkey (very well-drained, as it will be moist), salt to taste, and enjoy!

12:  Leftover Turkey Salad

Ingredients:

• Leftover turkey (how much you want to use will depend on how many salads that you’re making)

• Dried cranberries or raisins, cut into smaller pieces if desired for easier mixing.

• Celery, walnuts, and apples

Directions: Chop your leftover turkey and celery before adding the other ingredients; stir it all together with your dressing of choice!

Yogurt Dressing

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup Greek Yogurt
• 2 tbsp. Lemon Juice
• 1 tsp. sugar
• 1 tsp. Garlic, minced
• salt, to taste
• pepper, to taste
• 1/2 tsp. dried dill

Directions: Mix all ingredients in a bowl and whisk together. Refrigerate until it is ready to serve.

13: Roasted Turkey Soup with Vegetables or Noodles 

Ingredients:

• Leftover turkey (how much you want to use will depend on how many bowls that you’re making)

• Chicken Broth or Water

• Onion, vegetables chopped finely. *Optional*

Directions: Place your leftover turkey into a pot along with enough water or chicken broth to cover everything by about an inch and a half before bringing it all to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low before adding onion and the vegetables of your choice (we recommend something like carrots, celery, leeks). Simmer until veggies are done!

14: Turkey Tetrazzini

Ingredients:  

• Leftover turkey (how much you want to use will depend on how many casseroles that you’re making)

• Pasta Shells

• Milk or chicken broth for cream sauce, heated together before adding the other ingredients. *Optional*

• Parmesan Cheese *Optional*

Directions: Add cooked pasta shells to a greased baking dish before pouring in your milk or chicken broth cream sauce, mixing well. Add leftover turkey before sprinkling with bread crumbs and cheese (we recommend parmesan). Bake in preheated oven for about 20 minutes!

15: Crockpot Turkey Pot Pie

Ingredients:

• Leftover turkey (how much you want to use will depend on how many pies that you’re making)

• Cream of chicken soup, undiluted. *Optional*

• Jiffy Cornbread Mix (Follow directions on jiffy cornbread mix)

Directions: Place your leftover turkey into a crockpot before adding the veggies; cook for about two hours and top with jiffy cornbread mix before cooking for another 30 minutes. Serve with sliced cucumbers or applesauce!

16: Turkey, Bacon, Cheddar & Tomato Omelet

Ingredients:

• Leftover turkey (how much you want to use will depend on how many omelets that you’re making)

• Bacon, finely chopped. *Optional*

• Tomato, chopped

• Whole Eggs

• Pepper, to taste

• Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Directions: Whisk your eggs before adding milk and pepper; cook over medium heat until almost done before topping with the bacon and cheddar cheese. Slip onto plate and serve with tomatoes!

17: Crockpot Potato Soup with Leftover Turkey

Ingredients:

• Leftover turkey (how much you want to use will depend on how many bowls that you’re making)

• Onion, chopped finely. *Optional*

• Potato peeled and cubed into small cubes before adding the other ingredients; cook for about six hours or until everything is done!

• Milk ( I prefer coconut t milk)

Directions: Place everything except for the milk into your crockpot before cooking on low heat, adding more water if needed. Remove about half of the cooked potatoes and mash with a potato masher or fork before returning to pot along with enough milk to get desired consistency; stir gently

18: Turkey Enchilada Casserole

Ingredients:

• Leftover turkey (how much you want to use will depend on how many casseroles that you’re making)

• Onion, chopped finely. *Optional*

• Enchilada Sauce

• Shredded Cheddar Cheese

• Green pepper, seeded and chopped before adding the other ingredients; cook for about six hours at 165 degrees or until everything is done!

Directions: Combine all ingredients except for the cheese and enchilada sauce; mix well before pouring into a baking dish. Top with leftover turkey, shredded cheese (we recommend cheddar), and red enchilada sauce!

19: Leftover Turkey Sandwich Wraps

Ingredients:

• Leftover turkey (how much you want to use will depend on how many sandwiches that you’re making)

• Mayonnaise or Salad Dressing of Choice *Optional*

• Flour Tortilla

• Lettuce, shredded

• Veggies

Directions: Combine the turkey, mayonnaise or dressing of choice (if desired), lettuce, and veggies before pouring into a wrap; enjoy!

20: Leftover Turkey Sliders

Ingredients:

• Leftover turkey (how much you want to use will depend on how many sliders that you’re making)

• Grated Carrots, finely chopped. *Optional*

• Slice Cheese, to melt

• Coleslaw

• Bacon, cooked

Directions: Combine all of the ingredients before spooning onto buns; enjoy!

21: Leftover Turkey Taco Salad

Ingredients:

• Leftover turkey (how much you want to use will depend on how many salads that you’re making) Shred your turkey

• Taco Seasoning, according to package instructions. *Optional*

• Lettuce, Tomato

• Shredded Cheese *Optional*

Directions: Combine all ingredients before scooping onto your salad; enjoy!

Conclusion

There are so many tasty ways that you can transform your Thanksgiving leftovers into something new and delicious, but this is just the tip of the iceberg! I hope that you found a new recipe to try with your family and friends!

I would love for you to comment below and let me know the recipe you chose to try and post a picture below.

Stay Positive! Stay Motivated!

Talk Soon,

Cedreka