Recipes and Ideas to Use Leftover Turkey Meat

Discover creative ways to use leftover turkey with delicious recipes like turkey enchiladas, sandwiches and salads to minimize waste and enjoy every bite!

November 5, 2025

Herb Roasted Thanksgiving Spatchcock Turkey
Carving a Thanksgiving spatchcock turkey

What to do with Leftover Roast Turkey?

Don’t give your meat leftovers to the dogs! There are many ways to use leftover turkey meat. 

One excellent option is to use the carcass to make stock for homemade turkey soup. While you’re cleaning up dishes and putting away leftovers, place the turkey bones in your largest pot and fill it with water. The bones will add flavor, nutrients, and richness to the soup. You can follow this recipe from Jane Brody for Turkey Carcass Soup.

Here are some other delicious ideas for using leftover turkey:

  • Turkey lasagna: I recommend using store-bought jarred vodka sauce for a new twist on this family favorite.
  • Turkey pot pie
  • Turkey tacos
  • Turkey nachos
  • Turkey quesadillas

You can also add turkey to any of your favorite recipes that usually use rotisserie chicken. Check out all the recipes that make great leftovers. 

Recipes for Leftover Thanksgiving or Christmas Turkey

Here are four delicious recipes that make use of leftover turkey:

1. Turkey-Enhanced Salad: Add turkey to any leftover salad from your feast to boost its protein content. If you made Brussels Sprout Salad, this is especially beneficial, as the salad stays fresh for several days. Check out the recipe below for ideas on creating a Mason Jar salad.

2. Christmas-Style Enchiladas: Start the holiday season early by preparing festive enchiladas using both red and green enchilada sauce along with your leftover turkey.

3. Grilled Reubens: Turn your kitchen into a pub and enjoy a fun way to use leftover turkey by making Grilled Reubens. It’s a great option while cheering for your favorite sports team on TV.

4. Turkey Salad: This versatile dish can be served over lettuce, made into a sandwich, or transformed into a wrap. 

These recipes provide creative ways to enjoy your leftover turkey while minimizing waste!

Download the Free Thanksgiving Planning Guide

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Make Thanksgiving easy with the Complete Thanksgiving Guide. Includes tricks to get the family to help, tips for make-ahead recipes, cooking timeline, and more than a dozen recipes for the perfect turkey and delicious sides.

Make-Ahead Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad

Make-Ahead Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad with apples, dried cherries, feta, and walnuts tossed with a honey mustard dressing is a healthy and delicious side dish. This easy, recipe gets tastier as it sits - even the next day! It will turn Brussels sprout skeptics into fans.

Christmas Style Enchiladas – Red and Green Sauce

Christmas Style enchiladas with red and green sauce and delicious melted cheese are the perfect festive meal during the holiday or any day. Using ground turkey or leftover roast turkey and readymade sauces, keeps this recipe simple.

Grilled Reuben Sandwich with Leftover Turkey Breast

Leftovers can get a bad rap, but it converts to a win when used in an entirely new recipe, and everyone is happy. Try making grilled turkey Reuben sandwiches using leftover turkey breast. Melted cheese, crisp grilled bread, tangy sauerkraut, and a few pieces of leftover roast turkey!

Use Leftover Roast Turkey – Salad with Pecans and Grapes

This recipe provides the perfect combination of sweet, savory, and crunchy. You will be so glad to have leftover roasted turkey. Try it in a sandwich over your favorite toasted bread or as a salad over arugula or other greens.
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Classic Thanksgiving Side Dishes

Thanksgiving Spatchcock Turkey and Classic Sides

Thanksgiving dinner is a special occasion to express gratitude for life's blessings. This dinner, featuring spatchcock turkey, delicious sides, and plenty of leftovers, will create lasting memories.

stress-free Thanksgiving tips

Simple Tips for a Stress-Free Thanksgiving Dinner

Everyone loves Thanksgiving Dinner, but being the host can be overwhelming. Here's a secret: you don't have to do it all yourself! Preparation and delegation will reduce pressure and free up time, allowing the cook to enjoy a stress-free gathering.

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Karen the Supper Sanity Home Chef

Welcome to

Supper Sanity

Hello, I’m Karen, a very passionate meal planner! As a mother of three, I have been planning family menus for years. When I was diagnosed with a digestive condition, I found it necessary to follow an eating regimen that eliminated many ingredients. Meal planning became a health necessity. I’ve learned a lot and want to share my resources to simplify meal planning, shop efficiently, and cook affordable homemade meals. If you wish to try new recipes, plan healthier meals, and enjoy a great dinner with your friends and family, Supper Sanity can help.

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