26 Meals You Can Make With All That Leftover Turkey In Your Fridge (That You'll Actually Enjoy)

Cozy, weeknight-friendly pot pie with a whipped sweet potato lid that bakes up golden and a little toasty. Stir your leftover turkey in at the very end so it stays tender, then choose your format: one big family dish or individual ramekins for easy reheat-and-serve.

Recipe: Turkey Pot Pie with Sweet Potato Topping

Cozy meets a little kick with a silky butternut squash base, green chiles, lime, and all the warm fall vibes. Swap in shredded turkey for the chicken and stir it in at the end so it stays tender. Finish with cilantro, avocado, and a handful of crushed tortilla chips for crunch.

Recipe: Butternut Squash Green Chile Chicken Soup

The day-after classic: thick slices of leftover turkey, crisp bacon, lettuce, tomato, and melty cheese on golden bread, stacked and toasty. Whisk a spoonful of cranberry sauce into mayo, and pile it high. Cut the whole thing into quarters for kid plates.

Recipe: Ultimate Leftover Turkey Club

A clean, brothy minestrone loaded with vegetables, beans, and small pasta — comforting without feeling heavy. The tomato-herb base has that classic Italian soup vibe, and a Parmesan rind (if you have one) gives it extra depth while it simmers. It’s the kind of day-after bowl that tastes bright and fresh, not like leftovers.

Recipe: Turkey Minestrone

A tomato-coconut milk curry with warm spices that tastes nothing like yesterday’s gravy, in the best way. The sauce is creamy and balanced, with enough spice to feel cozy but not so much that the kids tap out, and the turkey soaks it up beautifully. It’s the kind of “takeout at home” bowl that resets your palate after the holiday spread and still feels weeknight easy.

Recipe: Leftover Turkey Curry

Fresh, crunchy reset after the heavy holiday plates: crisp greens, black beans, corn, avocado, and seasoned turkey, all served with plenty of lime. The creamy cilantro dressing wakes everything up without weighing it down, and the tortilla strips give that satisfying chip crunch in every bite. Easy to customize for picky eaters and just as good piled into a tortilla for “salad tacos” the next day.

Recipe: Leftover Turkey Taco Salad

Sweet rolls, layers of leftover turkey, melty cheese, and a bright swipe of cranberry, aka the day-after combo everyone actually wants. A buttery Dijon–poppy seed topping soaks into the rolls as they bake, so they come out golden, a little sticky on top, and perfectly pull-apart. Great for feeding a crowd, and the sweet-savory thing hits every time.

Recipe: Turkey Cranberry Sliders

A one-pot, easy clean-up dish that even the pickiest eaters will love. Pro tip: Use canned biscuits to make things as effortless as possible.

Recipe: Turkey Skillet Pot Pie With Buttermilk Biscuits

A clean-out-the-fridge frittata that still feels put together: tender turkey, sautéed veggies, and a little cheese baked until puffy and golden. Fresh herbs and a splash of dairy keep it light instead of dense, so it works for breakfast, lunchboxes, or a no-fuss dinner with a simple salad. It slices beautifully and reheats well.

Recipe: Leftover Turkey Frittata

Delicate crêpes wrapped around a creamy turkey-and-mushroom filling, then baked until the tops turn lightly golden and the edges become slightly crisp. It’s Eastern European comfort that feels special but not fussy. Great for brunch, “breakfast for dinner,” or a make-ahead tray you can warm and serve with a simple salad. The herby, savory filling gives leftover turkey a totally new vibe.

Recipe: Turkey Crepes

A bright, slightly sweet curry turkey salad that’s all about balance: warm spice, a creamy mayo-yogurt base, crunchy celery, and little pops of fruit. It tastes fresh and different from the holiday plate, and it holds beautifully for make-ahead lunches. Pile it on toasted sourdough, tuck into croissants, or scoop into lettuce cups with extra green onions on top.

Recipe: Curried Turkey Salad Sandwiches

Leftover turkey meets oozy Brie and tart cranberry inside a crackly egg roll wrapper—think Thanksgiving flavors with a little crunch. They bake or air-fry to a glassy, shatter-thin shell while the middle turns creamy and jammy, so every bite hits rich, bright, and crisp at once. Great as a snacky dinner or cut into bite-size pieces for a platter.

Recipe: Turkey Cranberry Brie Egg Rolls

Handheld pot pies baked in a muffin tin with a buttery pastry cap and a creamy turkey-veggie filling, basically the coziest way to repurpose the leftovers. The recipe leans on holiday staples, so the flavor is classic pot pie comfort, but the mini size makes them kid-friendly, lunchbox-able, and easy to freeze for later.

Recipe: Mini Pot Pies

Saucy, cheesy, and nothing like yesterday’s plate. Tender turkey gets tucked into tortillas, smothered in enchilada sauce, and baked until the edges go bubbly. It’s comfort food with a little zip. Think melty cheese, a warm spice vibe, and fresh toppings to wake everything up. Exactly the kind of “use the leftovers” dinner no one complains about.

Recipe: Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Enchiladas

Creamy pasta bake with mushrooms, peas, and tender turkey under a Parmesan–breadcrumb lid that turns perfectly golden. The sauce is velvety without being heavy, so it eats like comfort but doesn’t knock you out. Family-style, make-ahead friendly, and exactly the kind of “everyone gets seconds” casserole I want the week after the big meal.

Recipe: Turkey Tetrazzini

If you're sick of the ol' leftovers sandwich, this delicious upgrade is calling your name. Leftover stuffing gets pressed in a waffle maker and topped with the usual leftovers. Don't have a waffle maker? Try making stuffing "pancakes" in a skillet instead!

Recipe: Thanksgiving Leftover Turkey and Waffles

Roasted acorn squash halves with caramelized edges become little bowls for everything you loved yesterday: savory stuffing, tender turkey, and a hit of herbs. The squash brings natural sweetness that balances the rich, toasty filling, and a drizzle of gravy or cranberry on top makes it feel like a fresh, cozy fall dinner. Great as a complete plate on its own or alongside a simple salad.

Recipe: Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey and Stuffing Acorn Squash

Bright, crunchy, and the total opposite of heavy holiday plates: crusty baguette, juicy turkey, quick-pickled carrots and daikon, fresh cilantro, and a swipe of mayo with a little kick. Jalapeño slices add zing, and a splashy, tangy sauce ties everything together so each bite hits salty, sweet, sour, and a little heat. It’s a “use the leftovers” sandwich that tastes like a fresh idea.

Recipe: Turkey Banh Mi

A true green salad moment. Leafy greens are piled with juicy turkey, crisp veggies, and a creamy orange-poppy seed dressing that’s bright, a little sweet, and super balanced. The citrus lifts everything, the poppy seeds add tiny crunch, and the whole bowl eats fresh and clean without feeling skimpy. Perfect when you want something colorful and composed, not another sandwich.

Recipe: Leftover Turkey Salad with Creamy Orange Poppyseed Dressing

The last thing anyone wants to do the morning after Thanksgiving is make breakfast. Sure, you can pour yourself a bowl of cereal, or you can take just 15 minutes of prep to make this satisfying egg bake.

Recipe: Thanksgiving Leftovers Breakfast Bake

Mashed potatoes and shredded turkey rolled into bite-sized balls, coated, and baked until the outsides turn lightly crisp and the centers stay soft for a kid-magnet snack-y dinner. They’re perfect with a little dipping situation on the side and pack well for lunchboxes or after-school snacks. A smart way to use both leftover turkey and potatoes in one go.

Recipe: Turkey Potato Croquettes

Tortellini does the heavy lifting here. Toss it with marinara, a good handful of sautéed veggies, and your leftover turkey, then blanket it with mozzarella and bake until the edges go golden. You get cheesy pockets in every bite and plenty of veggies, so it doesn’t taste like straight pasta. It scoops clean, reheats well, and works for those nights everyone's really hungry.

Recipe: Baked Tortellini with Turkey and Vegetables

This is a total flavor pivot from the holiday plate — springy noodles in a deeply savory broth built from your leftovers, layered with ginger, garlic, and soy. Pile on the good stuff like shredded turkey, scallions, maybe a jammy egg or a sheet of nori, and you’ve got a slurp-y, restaurant-style bowl that makes the turkey taste brand new.

Recipe: Turkey Ramen

Swap the chicken for shredded turkey, and you'll have an easy dinner that's done in 45 minutes with only six ingredients. You can add the usual toppings of sour cream and guac, or go rogue and make a leftover cranberry dipping sauce.

Recipe: Cheesy Chicken Layer Quesadilla

Zesty, tomato-chile broth with shredded turkey, sweet corn, and all the fresh toppings. It’s bright and a little smoky, the kind of soup that wakes up leftovers without a lot of fuss. Pantry-friendly, big on texture, and perfect for piling high with garnishes at the table.

Recipe: Turkey Tortilla Soup

Think flaky puff pastry with a high crisp-to-filling ratio, so every bite is buttery layers plus a savory-sweet mix of turkey, stuffing, and cranberry. It eats like a one-hand appetizer that’s clean around the edges — not a leaky situation — and the built-in cranberry gives you that “dip” flavor without a saucy mess. Great for brunch boards or snacky dinners when you want the holiday flavors in a new outfit.

Recipe: Thanksgiving Pastelitos