Turn your Thanksgiving leftovers into easy meals your whole family will love!
This roundup of leftover turkey recipes for dinner includes simple soups, casseroles, and sandwich ideas that help you stretch your holiday meal without feeling repetitive.
These dishes come together quickly, use ingredients you already have, and make post-holiday cooking so much easier.
If you enjoy having meals planned out ahead of time, you may also like my Weekly Meal Plans filled with simple, family-friendly dinner ideas for every season.
At-a-Glance: Leftover Turkey Recipes for Dinner
What You’ll Find: A collection of easy soups, casseroles, sandwiches, skillets, and quick meals made with leftover Thanksgiving turkey.
Why You’ll Love It: These recipes are comforting, budget-friendly, and use ingredients you already have on hand, making dinner simple after a busy holiday. They help you stretch your Thanksgiving meal without feeling like you're eating the same thing twice.
Perfect For: Busy weeknights after Thanksgiving when you need fast, family-friendly meals that taste fresh and new.
Time-Saver Tip: Chop or shred leftover turkey before storing it so you can add it directly to soups, casseroles, or skillet meals without any extra prep.
Make sure you check out my popular Make Ahead Freezer Meal Plan to help you put together meals your family is going to love. Along with the Pantry List Printable, don't forget to grab the Freezer Inventory Printable.
Table of Contents
How to Reheat Leftover Turkey
Here are a few friendly tips on reheating leftover turkey. To prevent it from drying out, try these methods:
- Oven Method: Place the turkey pieces in a baking dish and drizzle either leftover gravy or chicken broth on top. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20-30 minutes or until the turkey is heated through.
- Microwave Method: Wrap the leftover turkey in a damp paper towel which will prevent it from drying out. Heat on medium power in short intervals. Be careful not to overheat!
- Stove Top Skillet: My favorite way to reheat leftover turkey or any meat is to first heat up the leftover gravy. If you need to make more gravy, follow my easy recipe in my Pot Roast Recipe. Once the gravy is hot and bubbly, add the pieces of turkey and in a few minutes they'll be ready to serve!
Revive Your Leftovers: 30 Dinner Ideas for Holiday Leftovers!
With a little creativity, holiday leftovers can become star ingredients in fresh, delicious meals your family will love.
This free printable includes 30 different meal ideas using leftover turkey, ham, potatoes, stuffing, and more, plus a monthly planner to help you stay organized after the holiday rush.
Sign up below to download your free Holiday Leftovers Meal Planner.
Download the Free Printable
👉 Grab your free Holiday Leftovers Meal Planner printable below and enjoy turning leftovers into something delicious.
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Recipe FAQ's
To view the answers, simply click on the down arrow (⬇) next to each question. If you have any other questions not answered here, please leave a comment!
Leftover turkey is safe to eat for 3 to 4 days when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. If you don’t plan to use it within that time, freeze portions for up to three months to keep them fresh and ready for easy meals later.
Yes, leftover turkey can be used in place of cooked chicken in most recipes. It works well in soups, casseroles, pasta dishes, sandwiches, salads, and skillet meals. Just swap it in at the same stage you would add cooked chicken, and be careful not to overcook it so it stays tender.
The best way to reheat leftover turkey without drying it out is to warm it gently with a little added moisture. Drizzle gravy, broth, or even a splash of water over the turkey and cover it tightly before reheating in the oven, microwave, or a skillet. This helps the meat stay juicy and prevents it from becoming tough.
Yes, leftover turkey freezes very well. Store it in airtight containers or freezer bags, removing as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. Label the container with the date, and freeze for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before using it in soups, casseroles, or skillet meals.
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Finally, a Meal Planner That Keeps Up With Your Life
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This recipe collection has been refreshed with new tips and ideas since it first appeared in 2023.
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