Thanksgiving is the ultimate feast day, filled with all your favorite foods and flavors. But what happens when the big day is over, and you’re left with a fridge full of leftover turkey? Don’t let that delicious bird go to waste! With a little creativity, you can turn those leftovers into something new and exciting. From comforting soups to zesty stir-fries, here are 10 creative ways to use leftover Thanksgiving turkey that will have your taste buds singing all week long. So put on your apron and get ready for some culinary inspiration!
Turkey Pot Pie
One of the most popular ways to use leftover Thanksgiving turkey is to make a delicious pot pie. This classic comfort food is perfect for cold fall evenings and can be made with whatever vegetables you have on hand.
To start, sauté onions, carrots, and celery in butter until they are tender. Add in diced potatoes and cook until they start to soften. Then stir in some flour and gradually add chicken broth, stirring constantly until it thickens.
Next, add your leftover turkey meat (diced into small pieces) along with any other veggies you want to include like peas or green beans. Pour the mixture into a baking dish lined with pie crusts.
Top the filling with another layer of pie crust and bake until it’s golden brown and bubbly. Serve hot out of the oven for a cozy meal that will warm you up from the inside out!
Turkey pot pie is an easy way to repurpose leftovers from Thanksgiving dinner into something new and delicious while still maintaining all the flavors of your favorite holiday meal. Plus, it’s a family-friendly dish that everyone will love!
Turkey Enchiladas
Looking for a way to spice up your leftover turkey? Try making turkey enchiladas! This Mexican-inspired dish is a delicious and creative way to use that extra meat.
Start by shredding the leftover turkey into small pieces. Then, mix it with some diced tomatoes, onions, and your favorite spices. For an extra kick, try adding some jalapenos or hot sauce.
Next, wrap the mixture in flour tortillas and top them with shredded cheese. Bake in the oven until they are crispy and golden brown.
Once they’re done cooking, serve them with a dollop of sour cream on top. You can also add some fresh cilantro or avocado slices for added flavor.
These enchiladas are perfect for dinner parties or just a cozy night in. They’re easy to make and sure to please everyone’s taste buds!
Turkey Chili
Looking for a delicious and hearty way to use your leftover Thanksgiving turkey? Look no further than turkey chili! This savory dish is easy to make and perfect for warming up on a chilly day.
To start off, sauté diced onions and garlic in a large pot until they are fragrant. Add in chopped bell peppers and cook until they begin to soften. Then, add in your leftover shredded turkey meat and mix it all together.
Next, stir in canned tomatoes, tomato sauce, kidney beans (or any other kind of beans you prefer), chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper. Let everything simmer together for about 30 minutes so that the flavors can meld together.
Serve your delicious turkey chili hot with some grated cheese on top or maybe even some avocado slices or sour cream if you like. It’s the perfect comfort food meal that will leave everyone feeling satisfied!
Turkey Soup
A steaming bowl of turkey soup is a classic way to use leftover Thanksgiving turkey. This comforting dish is perfect for colder weather and can be customized with your favorite ingredients.
To make the soup, start by sautéing onions, carrots, and celery in a pot until they’re tender. Then add in your shredded or diced turkey along with chicken broth, herbs like thyme and rosemary, and any additional veggies you have on hand such as potatoes or green beans.
Let everything simmer together until the flavors meld together beautifully. Serve hot with some crusty bread for dipping.
If you want to switch things up a bit, try adding some noodles to your turkey soup for a heartier meal or sprinkle some Parmesan cheese on top for an added flavor boost.
One great thing about making turkey soup is that it’s incredibly easy to customize based on what you have available. So get creative and experiment with different herbs, spices, and veggies until you find the perfect combination for your taste buds.
Curried Turkey
Curried Turkey is a delicious and unique way to use up leftover Thanksgiving turkey. This dish combines the flavors of curry powder, coconut milk, and vegetables for a comforting and flavorful meal.
To make curried turkey, start by sautéing onions and garlic in oil until softened. Then add your favorite curry powder along with some diced carrots and potatoes. After those have cooked for a few minutes, pour in some coconut milk and let everything simmer until the vegetables are tender.
Add diced leftover turkey to the pot along with any other desired veggies like peas or bell peppers. Cook until heated through and serve over rice or with naan bread.
The great thing about curried turkey is that it’s completely customizable to your taste preferences. You can adjust the spice level by using more or less curry powder, add different veggies depending on what you have on hand, or even swap out the coconut milk for another type of creamy base like yogurt or tomato sauce.
Curried Turkey is a fantastic way to switch up your leftovers game while keeping things easy and delicious!
Turkey Salad
Turkey Salad is an excellent way to use your leftover Thanksgiving turkey. It’s a light and tasty option that can be eaten on its own or used as a sandwich filling. Here are some tips for making the perfect Turkey Salad.
To begin, chop up your leftover turkey into small pieces. You can use white meat or dark meat, depending on your preference. Then, add in some diced celery and onion for crunch and flavor.
Next, mix together a dressing of mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and any other seasonings you enjoy. This will give your turkey salad a tangy and creamy taste.
Combine the chopped turkey with the dressing mixture until it’s evenly coated. For extra texture and flavor, consider adding in some dried cranberries or chopped nuts like pecans or almonds.
Serve over lettuce leaves for a healthy lunch option or pile onto toasted bread with lettuce and tomato slices for a delicious sandwich. Enjoy!
Turkey and Veggie Stir-Fry
Got some leftover turkey from your Thanksgiving feast? Don’t let it go to waste! One creative way to use it up is by making a delicious turkey and veggie stir-fry.
Start by gathering your favorite vegetables, such as bell peppers, onions, broccoli or carrots. Chop them into bite-sized pieces and set aside. In a large skillet or wok over high heat, add some oil and toss in the veggies. Stir-fry for a few minutes until they’re slightly softened but still crisp.
Next, add in your chopped leftover turkey meat. Cook for an additional minute or two until heated through. Then mix in some soy sauce, garlic powder and ginger for added flavor.
Serve hot with steamed rice or noodles on the side for a complete meal that’s both nutritious and tasty.
Not only is this dish easy to make, but it’s also customizable based on your preferences – feel free to switch up the veggies or seasonings depending on what you have on hand!
So why not try something new with your leftover turkey this year? A flavorful stir-fry might just become one of your new favorite ways to enjoy those leftovers!
Turkey Sandwich Sliders
Turkey Sandwich Sliders are a perfect way to use up your leftover turkey from Thanksgiving. These little sandwiches are so easy to make and can be customized based on your preferences.
To start, slice the leftover turkey into small pieces and place them onto slider buns. You can also add some cheese like cheddar or Swiss for extra flavor.
Next, you can add any toppings such as lettuce, tomato, onion or even cranberry sauce! The key is to keep it simple but flavorful.
For an added twist, you can spread some mayo mixed with dijon mustard on the buns before adding the turkey slices. This will give your sliders a tangy kick!
If you want to make these sliders more filling, try adding some bacon or avocado slices. This will take this sandwich to another level of deliciousness.
Serve these Turkey Sandwich Sliders at your next gathering or enjoy them as a tasty lunch option throughout the week. They’re sure to be a hit with everyone who tries them!
Turkey Pizza
Leftover Thanksgiving turkey might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of pizza toppings, but trust us – it’s delicious! Here are some creative ways to use leftover turkey on your homemade pizzas.
First, start with a basic pizza crust and sauce. Then, add shredded or diced leftover turkey meat as your protein topping. You can also mix in other ingredients like sliced onions, bell peppers or mushrooms for added flavor.
For a more unique twist, try adding cranberry sauce as your pizza sauce base instead of traditional tomato sauce. The tartness of the cranberry complements the savory taste of the turkey.
If you’re feeling adventurous, experiment with different cheese options such as feta or goat cheese instead of mozzarella. Top it off with some fresh herbs like basil or thyme for an extra burst of flavor.
Turkey pizza is a fun way to switch up your typical leftovers routine and create something new and exciting in the kitchen. Give it a try next time you have some leftover turkey on hand!
Conclusion
There are countless creative ways to use leftover Thanksgiving turkey that don’t involve simply reheating it and serving it as is. Whether you choose to make a comforting pot pie, spice things up with enchiladas or chili, or add some international flair with curried turkey, your family will surely appreciate the effort and variety in their meals. So instead of letting that extra meat go to waste, get creative in the kitchen and try out one (or all!) of these ideas for a delicious post-Thanksgiving feast. Happy cooking!
