Leftover Smoked Turkey Recipes (20+ Great Ideas) (2024)

Recipes

These delicious leftover smoked turkey recipes are a great way to continue the smoky flavor that you enjoyed at Thanksgiving dinner. Some may say that Thanksgiving leftovers are actually better than the holiday dinner itself. Once you see all of these creative ways to use up the leftover meat I’m sure you will agree.

Leftover Smoked Turkey Recipes (20+ Great Ideas) (1)

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Delicious Leftover Turkey Recipes

You have to admit that leftovers are the best parts of the holiday, at least when it comes to the food part. These leftover recipes are all delicious ways to capture the amazing flavor of your smoked turkey and repeat it in leftover meals. Whether you are looking for a big meal like a casserole or a small dish like a sandwich, you are in the right place. What is the best leftover turkey recipe in your home?

Click here to Learn How to Smoke a Turkey

Make sure to check out our step by step process for How to Smoke a Turkey. Most of these recipes can be made with smoked turkey, regular turkey, and often even rotisserie chicken. So mix things up and enjoy.

Leftover Smoked Turkey Recipes

Enjoy your turkey leftovers the next day with our favorite leftover turkey recipes.

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TURKEY CRANBERRY SLIDERS

Photo Credit:blackberrybabe.com

Use your Thanksgiving leftovers for these Turkey Cranberry Sliders! These Hawaiian roll turkey sandwiches are made with turkey, cranberry sauce, and Swiss cheese and baked to perfection with a butter drizzle.

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15-Bean Soup Recipe

Photo Credit:nourishandnestle.com

When you make a big turkey dinner and have leftover turkey thighs this 15 Bean Soup Recipe is a great way to use up that leftover turkey leg meat. This amazing soup recipe with black beans includes instructions for making this soup in the slow cooker, on the stovetop, or in the oven.

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Paleo Turkey Chowder

Photo Credit:www.theroastedroot.net

This creamy dairy-free paleo turkey chowder made with leftover Thanksgiving turkey, and creamy broth is a delicious recipe that you will want to eat all year round.

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Brie Grilled Cheese with Turkey (great for leftover turkey!)

Photo Credit:dizzybusyandhungry.com

Brie Grilled Cheese and Turkey is a unique sandwich with creamy brie, tender turkey breast, and cranberry spread, stuffed between two pieces of sourdough bread and grilled until crispy.

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Turkey Pot Pie with Puff Pastry Crust

Photo Credit:www.chelseadishes.com

Give your leftover turkey a makeover with this wholesome and savory turkey pot pie with puff pastry. This recipe is essentially a leftover turkey casserole, as it’s baked in a baking dish, making it fuss-free and great for feeding a crowd. This is very similar to a turkey shepherd's pie.

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Smoked Turkey Chili Recipe

Photo Credit:cookeatgo.com

This Smoked Turkey Chili Recipe is the perfect way to use any leftover turkey from holiday dinners.

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How to Make the Best Turkey Bone Broth in the Ninja Foodi

Photo Credit:www.justthewoods.com

Turkey bone broth is so easy to make in the Ninja Foodi. You can make this turkey stock with your turkey carcass, and fresh vegetables.

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Leftover Turkey Sliders on Hawaiian Rolls

Photo Credit:grilling24x7.com

Looking for leftover turkey sliders on Hawaiian Rolls that are packed with flavor then you’ve got to try these turkey and brie sliders with green apple.

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Green Pea Soup with Smoked Turkey Wings

Photo Credit:www.garlicandzest.com

This easy, flavorful green pea soup is made with whole green peas and a smoked turkey wing to season the broth. Because this rich, creamy potage uses dried peas, you’ll need to soak them overnight before making the soup.

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Easy Leftover Turkey Soup with Egg Noodles and Vegetables

Photo Credit:thegiftedgabber.com

This leftover turkey soup with noodles is the perfect recipe for leftover turkey. Make the Amish egg noodles and leftover turkey meat soup with veggies or without.

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Savory Baked Turkey Crepes

Photo Credit:sustainmycookinghabit.com

These savory baked turkey crepes are both hearty and make for a delicious meal option for the whole family. This easy recipe will become a new family favorite in your house too.

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Turkey Cranberry Crostini - Great Use of Turkey Leftovers

Photo Credit:www.biscuitsandburlap.com

Turkey Cranberry Crostini is a creative and elegant way to make good use of those Thanksgiving turkey leftovers.

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Easy Leftover Turkey Tacos Recipe

Photo Credit:www.thefreshcooky.com

Transform leftover Thanksgiving turkey into these flavor-packed and juicy Leftover Turkey Tacos with flour tortillas! These leftover turkey carnitas are perfectly seasoned with a balance of smoky, sweet, citrusy, and savory ingredients. It’s the perfect way to enjoy leftover turkey! A little fresh cilantro and hot sauce is the best way to enjoy turkey tacos.

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{Leftover Turkey} Pesto Sliders

Photo Credit:thepeasantsdaughter.net

Use your leftover turkey meat to create these moist and tasty cheesy pesto sliders the next day. The pesto keeps the turkey from drying out making it the perfect solution for breast meat.

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Ultimate Leftover Turkey Breakfast Sandwich

Photo Credit:projectmealplan.com

I can’t imagine a better way to use up leftover Thanksgiving or Christmas turkey than the Ultimate Leftover Turkey Breakfast Sandwich. Holiday turkey layered over a patty of mashed potatoes and stuffing melted provolone, and topped with a fried egg. This recipe idea simply can't be beat.

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Smoked Turkey Quesadilla

Photo Credit:cookwhatyoulove.com

This real Texas-style Smoked Turkey Quesadilla is meaty, cheesy, and oh-so-good! Grab some salsa and sour cream, and a quick and tasty meal is just minutes away! These turkey quesadillas make for an easy lunch when you are short on time. Use flour or corn tortillas.

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Smoked Turkey and Dumplings

Photo Credit:www.missinthekitchen.com

Smoked Turkey and Dumplings is the perfect comfort food recipe. Made with delicious smoked turkey, a creamy sauce vegetable soup base, and easy homemade dumplings.

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Smoked Turkey and Sweet Potato Hash

Photo Credit:www.chilipeppermadness.com

Smoked Turkey and Sweet Potato Hash is a simple, flavor-packed meal that's loaded with protein and nutrients! Turkey (leftovers work very well) is cooked in just one skillet with sweet potatoes, Cajun seasoning, chili peppers, and more.

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Leftover Smoked Turkey Salad

Photo Credit:www.smartypantskitchen.com

There's nothing better than leftover smoked turkey to make a delicious leftover turkey salad.

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Creamy Smoked Turkey and Wild Rice Soup.

Photo Credit:www.thatsusanwilliams.com

Wondering what to do with leftover turkey? Creamy Smoked Turkey and Wild Rice Soup is just the ticket. It will help you make good DELICIOUS use of that leftover turkey carcass.

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Turkey Enchilada Casserole

Photo Credit:www.thismamacooks.com

Make this leftover turkey enchilada casserole when you have leftover turkey after Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner.

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Leftover Turkey Risotto

Photo Credit:www.kitchensanctuary.com

This leftover turkey and mushroom risotto is rich, creamy, and comforting, and a great way to use up those leftovers from a holiday meal.

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Tetrazzini Casserole With Leftover Turkey Or Chicken

Photo Credit:dancingthroughtherain.com

This Tetrazzini Casserole is a delicious way to use up leftover turkey or chicken.

Leftover Smoked Turkey Recipes (20+ Great Ideas) (2024)

FAQs

How long is leftover smoked turkey good for? ›

USDA recommends using cooked turkey within 3 to 4 days, kept refrigerated (40°F or less). Refrigeration slows but does not stop bacterial growth. Turkey can be frozen for 3 to 4 months. Although safe indefinitely, frozen leftovers can lose moisture and flavor when stored for longer times in the freezer.

What is good with smoked turkey? ›

Vegetables – Roasted or sauteed veggies are great with smoked turkey. You can even grill some veggies to go along with the turkey! Potatoes – Roasted, mashed, stuffed, and everything in between, potatoes are a great side for smoked turkey.

How do you cook a turkey that is already smoked? ›

Place your smoked turkey on the broiler try rack and tent securely with tin foil. Place the trayed smoked turkey in the middle of a 350° F oven and cook for about 1.5 – 2 hours (or until a meat thermometer reaches about 140° F in the center of the breast). Remove the turkey and carve for serving.

How long can a smoked turkey sit out at room temperature? ›

Once your turkey is cooked and cooled to room temp, you want to refrigerate the bird at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or eat well within two hours of removing the bird from the oven.

Is a 3 year old frozen turkey still good? ›

Frozen Turkey

Turkeys can be kept in the freezer indefinitely. However, cook turkeys within 1 year for the best quality.

Can you eat smoked turkey after 5 days? ›

Turkey typically lasts up to four days in the fridge before it goes bad. It can be stored in the freezer for up to four months before it starts to lose its flavor and texture.

Can you use the drippings from a smoked turkey? ›

The goal in making smoked turkey gravy is to use the neck, giblets, and backbone (if you're smoking a spatchco*ck turkey) to help you get that turkey flavor in your gravy. If you're fully set on having drippings in your gravy, you can obtain some when slicing the turkey after it's been smoked.

Can smoked turkey be eaten cold? ›

Butterball Smoked Whole Turkeys are fully cooked and ready to eat. They can be used in recipes calling for cooked turkey without prior heating. The pink color of the meat comes from smoking and curing and is not a sign of undercooked meat. To serve cold: Remove turkey from wrapper.

Is cooking with smoked turkey healthy? ›

Though smoked chicken and turkey can still create HCAs and PAHs, they are, overall, heathier choices than red meat. Go lean. Next in line after poultry are lean cuts of pork (like pork loin, tenderloin and center cut chops).

Can you fry an already smoked turkey? ›

You should aim for around 135F before pulling the turkey from the smoker. The next step is deep frying the whole turkey in the hot oil. Put the smoked turkey into the fry basket and lower it carefully into the cooking oil. Then, fry for 10-15 min.

How to reheat a smoked turkey without drying it out? ›

Simply heat your oven to 300 degrees, put the carved meat in a baking dish, and add some chicken broth or turkey stock to the pan. The meat will absorb some of the liquid as it heats, making it nice and juicy. Cover the pan tightly with foil and place it in the oven until the meat is hot, 20 to 30 minutes.

Is it safe to eat turkey that was left out overnight? ›

If the room temperature is above 90 degrees, limit the time that turkey sits out to only one hour. After that time, it must be put away in the refrigerator or freezer to prevent the overgrowth of harmful bacteria on the surface.

Is it safe to eat cooked turkey that was left out overnight? ›

You can only safely leave out your bird for up to two hours after it's cooked. Once you pass that two-hour mark, it starts to spoil -- and quickly. Make sure you refrigerate your turkey before you take a nap!

Can you eat cooked turkey after 5 days overnight? ›

Cooked turkey and other leftovers can be kept in the fridge safely for about three to four days, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and FoodSafety.gov say. But after that time, "the risk of food poisoning goes up," the Mayo Clinic notes, pointing to the growth of bacteria in refrigerated leftovers.

Is leftover turkey good after 7 days? ›

Is turkey still good after 7 days in fridge? In short, no. The USDA recommends using cooked turkey within 3–4 days, kept refrigerated (40°F or less). If you do want to keep it for longer, consider freezing it, ideally as soon as it has cooled down, on the day of cooking.

Can I eat leftover turkey after a week? ›

How long do the turkey and trimmings stay safe in the refrigerator or freezer? The answer is simple: leftovers can be kept in the refrigerator for three to four days. This means you have until the Monday after Thanksgiving to eat all those delicious leftovers or place them in the freezer to enjoy later.

How long does a vacuum sealed smoked turkey last? ›

Smoked meat: 6-12 weeks.

How long can you keep a Greenberg turkey in the refrigerator? ›

Here are a few additional Greenberg Turkey tips: Turkey may be held in the refrigerator six to eight days. Serve chilled or at room temperature. If heating the turkey, place in an oven bag.

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