10+ Top Leftover Turkey Recipes

June 15, 2020
Photo: 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

Photo: 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

Photo: 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

Photo: 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

Time Inc. Video Studios
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

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

Photo: 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

Photo: 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

Photo: 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

Photo: 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

Photo: 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

Photo: 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

Photo: 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

Photo: 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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