Leftover turkey can also be even more delicious the next day, as the flavors from spices and seasonings meld together overnight. It’s also incredibly versatile. You can use it in sandwiches, soups, casseroles, or salads. It’s an easy way to whip up quick meals without starting from scratch. So, don’t let that delicious turkey go to waste! Embrace it, and you’ll find yourself enjoying the holiday spirit even longer. Thanksgiving is about gratitude, so be grateful for the leftovers you have. Each bite connects us to loved ones, evokes fond memories, and encourages appreciation for abundance. Repurposing it creatively fosters a sense of resourcefulness and celebration of togetherness. There’s a lot of ways you can use leftover turkey, from enchiladas to soup to even sliders. Bring your holiday bird to the table, and let these five leftover recipes please the palate without the turkey overload.

And if you decide to skip the turkey this year, check out these turkey substitutes to dress up your table with something new. 

How Long Does Leftover Turkey Last in the Fridge?

Food safety comes first. Refrigerate cooked turkey within two hours of serving in shallow containers, and plan to use it within three to four days, per USDA guidance. That window makes a natural plan: sliders or sandwiches on Friday, enchiladas over the weekend, and soup by Monday. If you can’t get through it in time, shred the meat, portion it into freezer bags, press out the air, and freeze for up to about four months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before using it in any of these recipes.

Can I Use Leftover Chicken Instead of Turkey?

Yes. Every recipe in this collection works with leftover roast chicken or a store-bought rotisserie chicken, cup for cup. Dark meat stays especially moist in the enchiladas and sliders, while white meat is ideal for turkey salad and soup. Smoked turkey works too, though it brings extra salt, so taste before you season.

What Can I Serve With Leftover Turkey Recipes?

Lean on whatever is left from the holiday spread, or start fresh. Enchiladas want something crisp and acidic, like a lime-dressed green salad or a quick cabbage slaw. The soup begs for crusty bread or warm biscuits. Sliders pair with wing-night sides such as carrot and celery sticks, coleslaw, or a pile of kettle chips. Turkey salad sandwiches make a complete lunch with a cup of that turkey soup or a handful of pickles and fresh fruit.

Tips for Recipe Success

• Shred, don’t chop. Pulling turkey into strands with two forks gives more surface area to soak up sauces and dressings.
• Mix white and dark meat. Dark meat adds richness and keeps drier breast meat from tasting chalky.
• Reheat gently. Warm turkey covered, with a splash of stock, over low heat so it doesn’t dry out.
• Save the carcass. It’s the base for a rich homemade stock that makes the soup taste twice as good.
• Season last. Brined or seasoned turkey already carries salt, so taste each dish before adding more.

1. Gluten-Free Turkey Enchiladas Verde

Best for: an easy dinner that revives leftover turkey
Makes: 8 servings

This is the leftover dish to make when the house is still full. Instead of rolling individual enchiladas, Schuldt layers corn tortillas, shredded turkey, black beans, roasted corn, onion, and cheese in a 9-by-13 pan, casserole style, and smothers it all in green enchilada sauce. It bakes in about half an hour and feeds eight. Corn tortillas keep it naturally gluten-free, as long as you check the label on the sauce.

2. Turkey and Vegetable Soup

Best for: A lighter lunch after days of heavy eating
Makes: 4 servings

When the week after Thanksgiving calls for something lighter, this soup comes together in about 30 minutes with carrot, celery, onion, garlic, fire-roasted tomatoes, and turkey stock. Simmer the stock from the carcass and nothing from the bird goes to waste.

3. Buffalo Turkey Sliders

Best for: The first game day after Thanksgiving
Makes: 8 sliders

Who says Buffalo sauce belongs only to chicken wings? A quick sauce of melted butter, hot wing sauce, garlic powder, and black pepper turns shredded turkey into spicy, game-day-ready sliders. Finish them with blue cheese dressing and finely diced celery for the full wing-night experience.

4. Turkey Salad Sandwiches, Classic and Curried

Best for: Lunch for the entire week
Makes: 6 servings per version

Turkey salad is the most forgiving leftover recipe of all. The classic version folds turkey with celery, hard-boiled eggs, mayonnaise, and mustard. The curried version swaps in Greek yogurt, curry powder, cucumber, and crisp green apple. Pile either one on toasted bread, crackers, lettuce, or thick tomato slices.

Looking for more ways to cook through the holidays? Start with TABLE’s Homemade Stock Recipes to turn that turkey carcass into the base for soup.

Browse our 50 Thanksgiving side recipes for next year’s spread, including The Ultimate Stuffing Recipe and Jackie’s Green Bean Casserole. 

Give the classic bird an Italian twist with Porchetta-Inspired Turkey. Have brisket left over, too? Try these easy recipes for leftover beef brisket.

About the Recipe Author

Rhonda Schuldt is a TABLE Magazine contributor who writes about practical, comforting home cooking. Her recipes for TABLE range from family classics like Nancy’s Layered Meatloaf and Easy as Shepherd’s Pie to holiday showpieces like Porchetta-Inspired Turkey, plus smart second acts such as Easy Recipes for Leftover Beef Brisket and Homemade Stock Recipes. Find all of her stories on her TABLE author page.

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