14 Ways to Use Leftover Turkey

The best thing about cooking a Thanksgiving turkey is having all of the leftovers afterwards to make quick and easy meals. Here you will find 14 ways to use the leftover turkey, including some recipes.

If you cooked a really big bird and still don't know what to do with all the leftovers, you can freeze some for later use or invite family over for another meal.

1. Turkey Salad and Cracker Dip - Make a turkey salad in the same way you would make tuna salad, only substituting turkey for the tuna. Use the salad as a dip for crackers or make turkey salad sandwiches.

For the turkey salad sandwiches add either chopped apples or halved grapes for an extra treat.

2. Make Turkey Noodle Soup - Use your favorite chicken soup recipe and replace the chicken with turkey.

3. Chef's Salad - Use the turkey in place of the meat you usually use in a chef's salad.

4. Turkey Pizza - Just use turkey in place of the meat you normally use on a pizza or add it with other meats.

5. Turkey Manhattan - Use the leftover gravy and mix with shredded turkey and heat. Serve with mashed potatoes. Place two slices of bread on a plate with potatoes in the middle. Pour the gravy and turkey mixture over the top. Add salt and pepper as desired.

6. Turkey Subs - Just use sub buns or hot dog buns and place sliced turkey and cheese in them. My favorite cheese to add is Swiss, but you could use mozzarella, provolone, or American cheese. Place in the oven until the cheese is melted. Add your favorite toppings. Lettuce and tomatoes are good.

7. Pot Pie - An easy recipe can be found on the back of a Bisquick box or a Jiffy Mix box or you can do it this way. In a baking pan mix a can of chicken soup (gravy may be substituted for the soup), 1 cup of turkey, 1 can mixed vegetables (or leftover vegetables from your meal), diced onions (optional), and diced celery (optional). Make enough biscuit dough to cover the top with biscuits. Some people just use a can for biscuits from the store. Bake until the biscuits are done and nice and brown, about 30 minutes at 400 degrees F.

This is an especially good way to use leftovers from the meal since you can use leftover vegetables and any celery or onions you have leftover from making stuffing.

8. Turkey ala King - Use the recipe at this link or there are many others online. Just substitute turkey for the chicken.

9. Turkey Stroganoff - Just use your favorite stroganoff recipe and replace turkey for the beef.

10.Turkey Noodle Casserole

Ingredients

8 oz pkg of noodles

1 1/2 c of cubed turkey

2 Tbsp margarine

1 1/2 c corn flakes

1 small green pepper

1 beaten egg

1 can cream style corn

3/4 c diced American Cheese

1. Coat an 8" x 8" pan or 1 1/2 qt casserole dish with cooking spray.

2. Preheat over to 350 degrees F.

3. Cook the noodles following the directions on the package.

4. Cut 6 slices of pepper and cube the remaining pepper.

5 . Combine the turkey, egg and margarine in a bowl.

6. Add the cooked noodles, chopped green pepper, corn, corn flakes and cheese.

7. Spoon into the pan or casserole dish. Garnish the top with pepper rings.

8. Bake 50 minutes.

11.Turkey Club Sandwich - Just toast some bread, white or wheat is fine. Place bacon, turkey, tomatoes, lettuce and mayonnaise inside.

12.Turkey Fried Rice - Use a recipe for Chicken Fried Rice.

13.Turkey Lasagna - Use your favorite lasagna recipe and substitute turkey for the meat.

14. Microwave Turkey Casserole

Recipe

1 pkg of dry macaroni and cheese mix

2 c shredded turkey

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 Tbsp dry onion flakes

1 1/2 c turkey or chicken broth (can be substituted with water if needed)

1 Tbsp green pepper

2 Tbsp butter or margarine

1 small can of french fried onions

1. Mix all ingredients in a 2 quart casserole dish.

2. Cover the microwave dish and microwave on high for 8 minutes.

3. Remove from the microwave and stir.

4. Sprinkle the french fried onion on the top. Microwave 8 more minutes.

Some microwaves take longer to cook than others. Check if the dish is completely cooked and return to the microwave for a few more minutes if needed.

You can use these recipes and ideas if you have extra turkey to eat. We like to eat leftovers cold right out of the fridge too. It makes a great snack. Freezing leftovers is a good idea too.