10+ Top Leftover Turkey Recipes

Updated June 15, 2020
Credit: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Amy Burke

Whether it's the day after Thanksgiving or just another Friday, too much leftover turkey can have you scrambling for ways to dress up the dish. We've selected our best leftover turkey recipes, from the traditional turkey soups, chilis, and casseroles to more unique recipes like breakfast waffles and tostadas. Keep your friends and family eager for more leftover turkey with these delicious recipes that are sure to please. 

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Turkey Noodle Casserole

Credit: Antonis Achilles; Food Styling: Ana Kelly; Prop Styling: Prissy Lee

Turkey Noodle Casserole Recipe

Here’s an easy family dinner everyone will love, or just a fun way to use up some leftover holiday turkey. Our Turkey Noodle Casserole combines all the good stuff—broccoli, pasta, turkey, and cream sauce—into one delightful, family-friendly dish. For a little something extra, we’ve added mirepoix, otherwise known as the holy trinity of Cajun and Creole cuisine. Serve with a glass of milk, some rolls, and maybe a side of steamed or roasted veggies.

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Slow-Cooker White Chili with Turkey

Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Slow-Cooker White Chili with Turkey Recipe

This comforting slow cooker recipe is made with leftover turkey and will feed a full house. Cornmeal helps thicken this chili, and adds a hint of toasty corn flavor. Choose fine, rather than coarse, cornmeal for the smoothest texture. This is the perfect recipe to throw in the slow cooker before you head out the door. Let everything cook for 7 hours and you'll come home to a wonderful smell filling your home.

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Turkey Soup

Credit: Antonis Achilles, Food Styling: Mary Claire Britton and Sarah Epperson; Prop Styling: Prissy Lee

Turkey Soup Recipe

Got leftover turkey? This soup is a great way to use up your bird without feeling redundant. If you don't have an entire turkey, use roasted parts for the same effect. 

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Thanksgiving Leftovers Lasagna

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Thanksgiving Leftovers Lasagna Recipe

Everyone knows the best part of Thanksgiving is the leftovers, and it just so happens that layering those leftovers into a lasagna is a fantastic way to guarantee that every bite is the perfect bite. 

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Thanksgiving Leftovers Tostadas

Credit: David Fenton

Thanksgiving Leftovers Tostadas Recipe

Move over, turkey sandwich! A tostada loaded with Mexican flavors is an unexpected way to dress up Thanksgiving leftovers.

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Turkey-and-Gravy Waffle Sandwich with Sunny-Side-Up Egg

Credit: Stephen Devries; Styling: Claire Spollen

Turkey-and-Gravy Waffle Sandwich with Sunny-Side-Up Egg Recipe

These incredible waffle sandwiches are a unique way to use up leftover turkey and gravy. Season a traditional waffle batter with fresh chives, thyme, and sage, then cook waffles and top with lightly pan-fried cooked turkey, sunny-side up eggs, and warmed leftover gravy. Leftover turkey never tasted so good!

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Turkey, Broccoli, and Phyllo Pie

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling

Turkey, Broccoli, and Phyllo Pie Recipe

Skip the potpie and try a fragrant, flaky casserole for your turkey leftovers. If you don't have turkey, use shredded rotisserie chicken.

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Take-Two Turkey Noodle Soup with Ginger and Chile

Credit: Jeffery Cross; Styling: Robyn Valarik

Take-Two Turkey Noodle Soup with Ginger and Chile Recipe

After eating piles of turkey flavored with the usual sage and oregano, you'll be grateful for leftovers that taste totally different: This soup is fiercely gingery (to revitalize you after a holiday-meal stupor). If you're not a ginger lover, cut back the amount to a few slices.

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Turkey and Andouille Sausage Gumbo

Credit: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Claire Spollen

Turkey and Andouille Sausage Gumbo Recipe

This gumbo is a great use for leftover roasted turkey, though cooked chicken will also work. We skip the long-stirred roux here in favor of filé powder, a thickener made from the sassafras plant; look for it on the spice aisle. For the best results, stir in the filé powder off the heat.

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BBQ Turkey Sandwiches

Credit: Gooseberry Patch

BBQ Turkey Sandwiches Recipe

Lose the chicken and try a BBQ Turkey Sandwich instead. The homemade BBQ sauce elevates leftover cooked turkey to a deliciously sweet and tangy lunch or dinner entrée. Serve with potato salad and slaw for a complete meal.

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Turkey-Vegetable Chowder

Credit: Gooseberry Patch

Turkey-Vegetable Chowder Recipe

Enjoy this Turkey-Vegetable Chowder recipe with warm bread for a savory and satisfying dinner.

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Linguine with Turkey, Basil, and Crème Fraîche

Credit: David Hillegas; Styling: Linda Hirst

Linguine with Turkey, Basil, and Crème Fraîche Recipe

The creamy sauce and the bright flavors of lemon and basil make this recipe delicious and versatile. Try it with rotisserie chicken, too.

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Turkey Club Pizza

Credit: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Amy Burke

Turkey Club Pizza Recipe

This incredible homemade pizza features refrigerated pizza crust topped with pesto sauce, cooked turkey, avocado slices, red onion, shredded cheese, and crumbled bacon.

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