Leftover Turkey Recipes Collection
After the hustle of holiday cooking, you may find yourself staring at a mountain of leftover turkey, wondering how to keep things fresh and exciting. That’s where this round-up comes in. Here are seven of my favorite leftover turkey recipes from over the years, along with my go-to method for roasting the perfect bird. Together, they ensure that your holiday meal keeps giving long after the main event.
This collection of recipes is designed to make creative use of leftover turkey, transforming it into new and delicious dishes. From charming savory cupcakes to a refreshing turkey glass noodle salad to a collection of seasonal soups, the goal is to provide variety and keep the leftovers from becoming repetitive. Whether you’re craving comfort food or something light and fresh, these ideas offer a little something for everyone.
Recipe round-ups like these are especially popular after major holidays. They not only help reduce food waste but also encourage us to rediscover the joy of cooking with leftovers. With a bit of ingenuity, these recipes ensure that leftover turkey doesn’t feel like an afterthought. Instead, it becomes the star ingredient in dishes that are just as delightful as the holiday feast itself.
Cooking with leftover turkey extends the festive spirit, letting you savor the flavors of the season in new and unexpected ways. So whether you’re reheating or reinventing, these recipes make every bite feel like a celebration. And if you’re preparing your turkey for the first time, my tried-and-true roasting method will set you up for success, ensuring a tender and flavorful bird that’s perfect for any of the dishes that follow.
Leftover Turkey Recipes Collection
Thanksgiving Leftovers Savory Cupcakes here
Here, whimsical cupcakes are crafted using leftover stuffing, turkey, gravy, and mashed potatoes. Besides the adorable presentation, they are super tasty and combine all the tastes of Thanksgiving into one savory little package.
Thai Turkey Soup with Panang Curry here
Super-fragrant, complex, mildly spicy, slightly sweet & creamy – panang curry broth definitely complements the shredded roast turkey. Chock full of vegetables, jasmine rice, and plenty of fresh herbs this soup is so satisfying. And if you are, by now, a little bit tired of that traditional Thanksgiving bouquet, this dish is on the opposite end of the flavor spectrum.
Herby Turkey & Corona Bean Soup here
Huge, enormous, gigantic beans! And lots of fresh herbs. Rosemary, sage, thyme, and bay perfume a broth that is rich and flavorful. The beans are super-plump, tender and creamy. Nutty, cheese notes brought by a sprinkling of Parmesan and piquant spice notes by red chile flakes complement the shredded roast turkey.
Leftover Turkey with Glass Noodles here
It’s the opposite of everything one thinks of Thanksgiving leftovers: spicy, cool, vinegary, vibrant, herby, even tingling…it’s a nod to the Sichuan dish ma la ji pian that typically features chicken chunks in chili oil. Those looking for a leftover turkey recipe that is deliciously out-of-the-box will be extremely excited about this one.
Turkey Matzo Ball Soup here
A blend of thyme, sage, black pepper, marjoram, rosemary and nutmeg – this traditional Thanksgiving seasoning adds a unique savory flavor to my Hanukkah matzoh balls. When Hanukkah falls right after Thanksgiving on the calendar, a special opportunity arises. Here, we are merging the best flavors and recipes of both holidays…With this seasoning, the matzoh balls have a taste reminiscent of turkey!
Turkey Soup with Tortellini and Kale here
By the third or fourth day after Thanksgiving I am about ready to look at turkey again. I buy a good-sized turkey for our crowd and we usually serve another protein like roast beef, so when I carve the bird for Thanksgiving dinner I don’t have to worry about slicing every bit of meat off the bones. The carcass usually has a good amount of meat left on it – ideal for a rich flavorful turkey stock and the eventual annual soup. Craving pasta and greens after the holiday, cheese tortellini and lots of curly kale were the perfect ingredients for this turkey soup.
Leftover Turkey Soup with Big Fluffy Dumplings here
For 2024 we have a hearty, cozy, comforting turkey soup with plenty of vegetables and big fluffy dumplings. And this year, every single ingredient in the recipe is leftover from cooking the Thanksgiving meal. No need to run out to the market! This is a true LEFTOVER SOUP, everything is on hand from the turkey, to the vegetables, to the herbs and spices, flour and diary!
My “Do Nothing” Turkey Recipe, Plus My “Add Nothing” Gravy here
Back by popular demand – here is my “Do Nothing” Turkey Recipe. Hands down, the easiest and best way to cook a turkey. It’s always perfect. Now, I buy my turkey at Costco for 99 cents a pound. For 2024 everyone said it was the juiciest bird ever! This 21.54 pound bird cost $21.32. which is a real bargain to feed a crowd for the holiday meal and later to create a stellar leftover dish!
So, in this recipe you just leave the bird alone, don’t baste, don’t cover, just “do nothing” and then marvel at the beautiful bird when it reaches 165 degree internal temperature.
And while we’re at it, I’m including my super-easy recipe for natural turkey gravy. Nothing is added to the delicious pan dripping stock but flour and cornstarch. And every home cook knows that the gravy is a pain to make at the end, just before service…but this method is truly a breeze!
Just like the “Stuffing Everyone Loves,” the “Add Nothing” Gravy Recipe is homey and simple, just like you remember from your childhood. With no white wine, no cognac or sherry, no herbs, no garlic, no giblets – it is a smooth, tasty authentic turkey gravy with never any lumps that appeals to young and old.