Thanksgiving is a time for feasting and enjoying delicious food with loved ones. However, the aftermath often leaves us with an abundance of leftover turkey. Instead of letting it go to waste, why not transform it into a variety of exciting and healthy meals? This article explores a range of creative and flavorful recipes that will help you make the most of your leftover turkey while keeping your health goals in check.
The Joy of Reinventing Leftovers
One of the best things about leftovers is the opportunity to repurpose them into entirely new and flavorful dishes. The days of boring, uninspired leftovers are long gone. With a little creativity, you can transform your leftover turkey into culinary masterpieces that everyone will love.
Key Considerations for Leftover Turkey
Before diving into the recipes, let's address some important questions about leftover turkey:
- How long is leftover Thanksgiving turkey safe to eat? If stored properly in the fridge, leftovers are good for 3 to 4 days after the turkey has been cooked.
- Can you freeze leftover turkey? Yes! Be sure to freeze it up to 3 to 4 days after the turkey was cooked. Slice the turkey and store it in a freezer-safe airtight container for up to 6 months.
- Our roasted turkey ended up being really dry. Is it still okay to use as leftovers in these recipes? Absolutely. Just add a little chicken broth or fat to the recipe if it's called for. You can also soak the turkey meat in some warm broth.
- How do you know if smoked turkey has gone bad? The first clue that the turkey has gone bad is the smell. If it smells bad, then toss it out. If it's on the slimy side too, then through it out.
- Is it okay if turkey is a little pink? Yes. As long as the turkey was cooked to 165°F, it is safe to eat.
Healthy and Delicious Turkey Recipes
Here are some incredible recipes to help you make the most of your leftover turkey:
1. Healthy Turkey Enchiladas
Use your Thanksgiving leftover turkey to make these delicious healthy turkey enchiladas! Turkey and stuffing are alright, but turkey enchiladas, now that's where it's at. What's the best part about this Healthy Thanksgiving leftovers recipe? Then, you'll mix in your Thanksgiving leftover turkey plus favorite enchilada sauce until it's warm. Now, the fun part! We always use at least some dark meat in the enchiladas because it gives a juicier and richer taste than white meat, characteristic of Mexican food. Are you wondering about the nutrition of dark meat versus white meat? Nutrients > calories, just because something is lower in calories doesn't always make it the healthier choice.
Read also: Healthy food access with Highmark Wholecare explained.
Ingredients:
- Leftover turkey
- Enchilada sauce
- Onion
- Garlic
- Bell pepper
- Cheese
- Salsa
- Tortillas
- Green onions (for garnish)
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- Saute chopped onion, garlic, and bell pepper in oil until translucent and tender.
- Add in half of the enchilada sauce, 2 ounces (¼ cup) of cheese, and 3 cups turkey meat to skillet. Mix until everything is well combined and hot.
- Add ½ cup salsa to the bottom of a 9x13 pan in a ⅛ inch layer (just barely line it.)
- Divide turkey mixture among the tortillas, roll into burritos and place in the casserole dish.
- Top with remainder of the enchilada sauce and the rest of the cheese (about ¾ cup.)
- Bake the enchiladas at 350F for 25 minutes.
- Garnish the enchiladas with sliced green onions.
2. Lightened Up Turkey Tetrazzini
This recipe is a healthier take on a classic comfort food. The classic turkey recipe is loaded with butter, cheese, and sour cream. No doubt, that’s part of what made it taste so good. But, it’s also what made it a semi-lethal weapon for anyone concerned about heart health or their waistlines. The lightened-up version uses whole wheat pasta (a zero point food within the Weight Watchers purple program), nonfat Greek yogurt, and judicious amounts of cheese, butter, and bread crumbs to create a dish that's both delicious and waistline-friendly.
Ingredients:
- Leftover turkey
- Whole wheat pasta
- Onions
- Mushrooms
- Chicken broth
- Dried sage
- Cream of mushroom soup
- Nonfat Greek yogurt
- Sherry
- Frozen peas
- Butter
- Breadcrumbs
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- In large saucepan, melt 1 T butter over medium heat. Add onions and cook for about 3 minutes, then add mushrooms and cook for an additional 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Add 1 T chicken broth to pan. Continue cooking until mushrooms are soft and beginning to release liquid.
- Add turkey meat and dried sage to pan, stir to combine, and cook an additional 2 minutes.
- Add cream of mushroom soup, yogurt, sherry, and ¼ cup chicken broth to pan. Stir cooked spaghetti into pan.
- Turn heat to low. Allow dish to simmer for about five minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Stir in frozen peas and cook for about a minute.
- Pour turkey/vegetable mixture into an ovenproof, 9 x 13 casserole dish.
- Melt 1 T butter in small saucepan, stir in breadcrumbs until evenly coated with butter.
- Place casserole in preheated oven for 20 minutes.
3. Healthy Leftover Turkey Salad
This creamy leftover turkey salad is tossed with crunchy veggies and a creamy dill sauce for an incredibly flavorful and creamy turkey salad delicious on its own or for sandwiches.
4. Creamy Leftover Turkey and Wild Rice Soup
This creamy leftover turkey and wild rice soup is the perfect flavor and veggie-packed healthy recipe to use your leftover turkey!
5. Best Leftover Turkey Sandwich
This is the BEST Leftover Turkey Sandwich recipe, plus it’s easy! Leftover turkey, artichoke, pesto, sun-dried tomato, grilled red onions, and creamy gouda cheese.
6. Leftover Turkey Chili
This leftover turkey chili is the perfect way to use up your Thanksgiving turkey!
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7. Bone Broth
Don’t throw away those leftover turkey bones or carcass! Be sure to save your turkey carcass to make a flavorful bone broth that is perfect to use in all of your soups, stews, chili, and more. If you have never made it, don’t be intimidated.
8. Turkey Croquettes
Serve them with a crisp green salad for an unforgettable meal. 2 croquettes: 322 calories, 12g fat (6g saturated fat), 124mg cholesterol, 673mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 29g protein.
9. Turkey Vegetable Soup
Although chock-full of lots of nutritious vegetables and turkey, this soup is also light on calories. 1-1/3 cups: 192 calories, 2g fat (0 saturated fat), 60mg cholesterol, 332mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 25g protein.
10. Cranberry Turkey Quesadilla
A sweet-tart cranberry salsa is the ideal accompaniment to leftover turkey in this breezy quesadilla. With a hint of lemon and pear, the salsa is also good with chicken or pork. 1 quesadilla with 1/3 cup salsa: 321 calories, 10g fat (4g saturated fat), 80mg cholesterol, 449mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 2g fiber), 32g protein.
11. Turkey Pasta Salad
This easy pasta salad is loaded with fresh veggies, and the classic ranch dressing makes it appealing to kids. 1-2/3 cups: 256 calories, 11g fat (2g saturated fat), 50mg cholesterol, 383mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 4g fiber), 19g protein.
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12. Spinach Salad with Turkey and Strawberries
This light, refreshing salad is a true showstopper, visually and nutritionally, with fresh strawberries and yellow pepper strips tossed with fresh baby spinach. Serve with warm whole wheat rolls or flax or bran muffins. 1-3/4 cups: 260 calories, 12g fat (2g saturated fat), 56mg cholesterol, 397mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 3g fiber), 23g protein.
13. Turkey Bistro Sandwich
With this recipe, two can enjoy the taste of something new and elegant in minutes. All you need to add is the ambiance for a bistro meal at home. 1 sandwich: 464 calories, 27g fat (10g saturated fat), 63mg cholesterol, 995mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 6g fiber), 27g protein.
14. Sweet Turkey Salad Sandwich
One bite and you’ll be hooked on this slightly sweet turkey salad sandwich. It’s protein-packed so you can feel good while you munch! 1 sandwich: 298 calories, 9g fat (2g saturated fat), 51mg cholesterol, 664mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 4g fiber), 22g protein.
15. Turkey Teriyaki Meatballs
My kids are picky eaters, but teriyaki and hoisin sauces work wonders with them. They love the meatballs, and I swap the noodles for whole grain pasta. 1-1/3 cups: 305 calories, 15g fat (3g saturated fat), 54mg cholesterol, 758mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 4g fiber), 18g protein.
16. Creamy Turkey Pumpkin Soup
Ladle up this quick, creamy soup chock-full of leftover turkey, pumpkin and beans to your hungry family and friends. It’s fabulous! 1 cup: 167 calories, 6g fat (1g saturated fat), 27mg cholesterol, 549mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 5g fiber), 15g protein.
17. Turkey Curry
Just open the fridge and go to town making this throw-together curry. We prefer turkey, but if you like chicken, shrimp, even bean sprouts and carrots, by all means, add them. 3/4 cup turkey mixture with 1/2 cup rice: 287 calories, 7g fat (1g saturated fat), 60mg cholesterol, 351mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 3g fiber), 25g protein.
18. Turkey Soup with Carcass Stock
On winter evenings, we like nothing better than a piping hot bowl of soup. This one uses the turkey carcass to make a flavorful stock for the soup. 1 cup: 105 calories, 2g fat (0 saturated fat), 22mg cholesterol, 568mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 3g fiber), 10g protein.
19. Mediterranean Turkey Potpies
Your clan will love these wonderful, stick-to-the-ribs potpies with a Mediterranean twist. I always use the leftovers from our big holiday turkey to prepare this recipe. I think my family enjoys the potpies more than the original feast! 1 potpie: 326 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 50mg cholesterol, 699mg sodium, 43g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 3g fiber), 26g protein.
20. Creamy Turkey Casserole
This creamy, comforting casserole makes a fantastic way to use up that leftover Thanksgiving turkey. And it’s a real family-pleaser! 1 cup: 357 calories, 7g fat (3g saturated fat), 71mg cholesterol, 717mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 3g fiber), 34g protein.
21. Turkey Vegetable Soup
The blend of flavors and colors in this hearty soup will bring everyone at the table back for more. 1-1/2 cups: 191 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 40mg cholesterol, 257mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 5g fiber), 18g protein.
22. Thai Turkey Stir-Fry
I really like the rich taste of sesame oil in this Thai-inspired dish. If you don’t have it, canola oil does the trick, too. To get a similar nuttiness, toss in a handful sliced almonds before serving. 3/4 cup stir-fry with 1/2 cup rice: 269 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 60mg cholesterol, 349mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 3g fiber), 25g protein.
23. Turkey Salad with Grapes and Walnuts
This satisfying salad proves that turkey can be enjoyed outside of the holidays. Peppery salad greens, sweet grapes and rich walnuts combine to create a flavor sensation. 1-1/2 cups: 354 calories, 17g fat (3g saturated fat), 94mg cholesterol, 301mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (17g sugars, 3g fiber), 30g protein.
24. Turkey Pita Pockets
Living in New York City means not having a lot of time to prepare meals. This recipe is quick, easy and healthy, making it perfect for my lifestyle. 2 filled pita halves: 363 calories, 7g fat (3g saturated fat), 75mg cholesterol, 626mg sodium, 48g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 7g fiber), 30g protein.
25. Turkey and Veggie Soup
Using ingredients on hand, I stirred up this turkey and veggie-packed soup. If you have them, corn, beans and celery are great here, too. -Lisa Wiger, St. 1-1/3 cups: 208 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 37mg cholesterol, 662mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 6g fiber), 21g protein.
26. Creamed Turkey
I like to make this dish with our leftover turkey. It’s a nice change from casseroles and so simple. Serve over rice, noodles, biscuits or toast. 1-1/4 cups turkey mixture with 1/2 cup rice: 350 calories, 7g fat (4g saturated fat), 76mg cholesterol, 594mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 3g fiber), 30g protein.
27. Turkey Skillet Meal
I’m always looking for new and interesting ways to use leftover turkey-especially around the holidays. Make this skillet meal as spicy as you’d like by varying the amount of curry powder. 1 cup (calculated without rice): 172 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 72mg cholesterol, 235mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 1g fiber), 24g protein.
28. Creamy Turkey Dish
My mom made this creamy comforting dish when I was growing up. Whenever I have leftover chicken or turkey, I look forward to making this simple, yet tasty, filling dish. 1 cup: 284 calories, 6g fat (3g saturated fat), 62mg cholesterol, 702mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 3g fiber), 26g protein.
29. Turkey and Mushroom Tetrazzini
Your family will flip over this turkey and mushroom casserole. In fact, the creamy Parmesan-topped tetrazzini is so satisfying, no one will suspect it’s lower in fat! 1-1/4 cups: 331 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 51mg cholesterol, 544mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 1g fiber), 28g protein.
30. Slow Cooker Turkey Chili
My family is crazy about this slow cooker chili because it uses ingredients you don’t usually find in chili. Believe it or not, I discovered that pumpkin is what makes the dish so special. Cook up a big batch and freeze some for later; it tastes even better reheated. 1 cup: 192 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 28mg cholesterol, 658mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 7g fiber), 16g protein.
31. Turkey Salad with Apples and Cranberries
This salad is a welcome alternative to the usual post-Thanksgiving fare. 1-1/3 cups: 379 calories, 7g fat (1g saturated fat), 60mg cholesterol, 483mg sodium, 49g carbohydrate (19g sugars, 7g fiber), 29g protein.
32. Harvest Turkey Soup
I love to use my garden produce in this veggie-packed soup. Serve it with oatmeal dinner rolls and you have a delicious, healthy dinner. 1 cup: 120 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 12mg cholesterol, 493mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 6g fiber), 7g protein.
33. Turkey Risotto
This satisfying risotto is a wonderful way to reinvent leftover turkey. I use Romano cheese, garlic and plenty of fresh mushrooms to create it. 1 cup: 337 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 43mg cholesterol, 651mg sodium, 44g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 24g protein.
34. Turkey Potpies
With golden brown crust and scrumptious filling, these comforting potpies will warm you down to your toes. Because it makes two, you can eat one now and freeze the other for later. They bake and cut beautifully. 1 serving: 287 calories, 15g fat (7g saturated fat), 78mg cholesterol, 542mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 17g protein.
35. Turkey Chef's Salad
Making this salad is a lot like putting in a garden. I “plant” everything in nice, neat sections, just as I do with seedlings. 1 serving: 260 calories, 15g fat (5g saturated fat), 148mg cholesterol, 586mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 4g fiber), 23g protein.
36. Turkey and Sausage Soup
This is now my family’s most requested soup-so much so that they will make sure I have leftover turkey. You can spice up this soup and make it more hearty by adding smoked sausage or andouille and some Cajun seasoning to taste. 1-1/2 cups: 144 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 35mg cholesterol, 846mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 2g fiber), 14g protein.
37. Turkey Tacos
The best and easiest way to enjoy leftover turkey is making these soft, crispy and buttery bottomed turkey and cheese sliders!
38. Turkey Reubens
Leftover turkey from Thanksgiving? No problem! Try some turkey reubens with homemade thousand island dressing!
39. Turkey Banh Mi Sandwich
This leftover turkey banh mi sandwich is tangy, crunchy, turkey sandwich heaven.
40. Turkey Cranberry Sandwich
In this Turkey Cranberry Sandwich recipe turkey and cranberry sauce are nestled between two slices of buttery bread that have been grilled to perfection, all held together by melted cheddar cheese.
41. Pesto Grilled Turkey & Havarti Sandwiches
These pesto Grilled Turkey & Havarti Sandwiches are a fast family favorite! Buttery grilled sourdough, garlic basil pesto, melty Havarti cheese, and tomato with sliced turkey.
42. Turkey Gobbler Wrap
This Turkey Gobbler Wrap is an exact copycat of the Trader Joe’s version, complete with stuffing, cream cheese, and cranberries!
43. Turkey or Chicken Salad
This creamy turkey or chicken salad is the perfect way to use-up leftovers.
44. Chard Salad
This chard salad is a great way to use up leftover turkey! Leftovers never tasted so good!
45. Turkey A La King
Turkey A La King is an easy entree that takes just 15 minutes to make.
46. Crockpot Green Chili Bake
This delicious crockpot green chili bake is a great meal that everyone will love!
47. Leftover Turkey Hand Pies
These Leftover Turkey Hand Pies are an easy way to repurpose your leftover turkey!