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Expert hosts and hostesses know it’s always better to have too much than too little food on big holidays. But the question is what to do with leftover turkey? Luckily for turkey lovers, there are multiple options.
Instead of making traditional turkey sandwiches, you can turn this essential thanksgiving staple into delicious dishes you will actually enjoy. Many of these turkey dishes are delicious ways of feeding out-of-town guests who stay after Thanksgiving or for your family who may still be in the holiday spirit. Most of them are quick and easy to prepare, giving you more time to spend with your loved ones instead of toiling away in the kitchen.
Let’s highlight our favorite turkey recipe ideas that will leave you asking for more.
Turkey Cranberry Sliders
If you’ve got Thanksgiving leftovers that you want to stretch into lunch for a crowd, these Thanksgiving leftover sliders transform soft Hawaiian rolls into something yummy.
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This pot pie recipe is a terrific down-home comfort meal and is ideal for post-Thanksgiving noshing. It uses hearty ingredients, such as vegetables, potatoes, leftover gravy, pie crust and broth, that you probably have around in your kitchen. It’s also made in a single skillet, making it easy to clean up when you’re done cooking.
This creative recipe is one of our less traditional leftover Thanksgiving turkey ideas but still a crowd-pleaser. It’s made with oregano and cumin and has a melted, bubbly cheese finish. These enchiladas are perfect for your dinner guests.
This leftover turkey recipe is one of the best ways to make something elegant in the days following Thanksgiving. The turkey is breaded, rolled with other ingredients, and fried for a delectable dish.
This sophisticated sandwich is one of the best ways to use leftover turkey and takes it far beyond traditional Thanksgiving flavors. So when you’re sick of Thanksgiving food, make this sandwich and breathe new life into the meat.
Another addition to the list of one-pot meals is delicious recipe. The creamy bacon alfredo is a great base, making this turkey leftovers recipe one of our favorites in the list. Chicken, move over.
Chunk up your leftover turkey and add to this cream cheese sauced dish, one of many creative ways to put together a meal fast after turkey day.
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Combine exciting spices and ingredients such as cumin, chili powder, pepper jack cheese, cilantro, and ground garlic to make this Mexican-inspired dinner. It requires a bit more prep, but it’s well worth the effort.
After a heavy Thanksgiving dinner, you might be craving something on the lighter side. If that’s the case, then this salad which incorporates classic fall flavors, is a perfect choice.
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Go beyond chicken noodle soup and make this delicious alternative that uses your leftover turkey meat (don’t forget the dark meat —it adds a lot of flavor to soups and stews) and homemade dumplings. I’m a fan of how easy drop dumplings are from a biscuit mix, but you can use shears to cut canned biscuits (the easiest way to get dinner on the table fast), or roll out dough and cut into strips. To add some fun, bring the kids into the kitchen for a hands-on cooking class.
There is no comfort food quite like a thick and creamy chowder. Add creamy corn, potatoes, and spices to make this hearty dish. The ingredients come together to make this recipe tasty and delicious.
You can also find the perfect side for your corn chowder with our epic list.
This dish uses store-bought pie crusts for simplicity, along with fresh vegetables and thyme. You can make one large pie or smaller individual ones for a fun personal touch. There are different ways to make turkey leftovers recipes the next day, and we like this one a lot.
The bottom line
So, skip the leftover turkey sandwiches (okay, after the one you have for breakfast). The delicious recipes mentioned in this article aren’t just for after Thanksgiving, they’re great anytime throughout the year. Maybe you’ll find your favorite leftover turkey recipes here. Did you? Let us know.
There are plenty of options here for amazing leftover turkey recipes that will save you time and energy while being delicious!

