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I get a little OCD about making sure I am taking full advantage of leftovers, and Thanksgiving is like the Olympics of leftover repurposing. One can only eat so many turkey sandwiches, right? And then we need to move on, and figure out how to turn all that leftover turkey into delicious meals the family will be excited to see later in the week.

A plate of stuffing, turkey, salad, and a biscuit.

Here are a bunch of options – and remember, anywhere you can use leftover shredded chicken, turkey is pretty much fair game!

If you’re looking for a great turkey recipe, check out this Easy Roasted Thanksgiving Turkey!


14 Recipes Using Leftover Turkey

Turkey Posole Soup / Photo by Cheyenne Cohen / Katie Workman / themom100.com

Turkey Posole Soup

That leftover Thanksgiving turkey is put to great use in a warm, comforting, and very satisfying soup

Pan of Turkey Picadillo.

Turkey Picadillo

A possibly unorthodox version of a wonderful Latin American dish. Use chopped leftover turkey in place of the ground turkey, and skip the browning step.

Mexican Tortilla Chicken Soup

Mexican Chicken Tortilla Soup

This divine soup is scented with chili, cumin and coriander, and topped with all kinds of deliciousness, like avocado and tortilla crisps. This is one of my favorite soups of all time.

Spicy Chicken and Black Bean Enchiladas / Mia / Katie Workman / themom100.com

Spicy Chicken and Black Bean Enchiladas

Some kick, how much depends a bit on your poblanos. Use shredded turkey instead of chicken in these cheesy enchiladas.

Spicy Thai Chicken and Rice Noodle Soup / Mia / Katie Workman / themom100.com

Spicy Thai Chicken and Rice Noodle Soup

Lemongrass, ginger, fish sauce, rice noodles all come together in one of my favorite seasonless soups. This is an unusual way to make use of leftover shredded poultry.

Turkey or Chicken Chili

Turkey Chili

This is our all-time favorite chili recipes, thick and flavorful and loaded with vegetables. Use chopped leftover turkey in place of the ground turkey and/or turkey sausage. Or use a combo of leftover cooked turkey and turkey sausage for even more flavor.

5-Ingredient Pasta: Chicken and Mushroom Marsala Rotelle / Mia / Katie Workman / themom100.com

Chicken Marsala Pasta

Pick up some mushrooms and a rotisserie chicken and have this pasta for dinner in about 30 minutes. You might even have some leftover sautéed mushrooms from the big holiday meal – add them right in, baby.

Red Lentil, Fennel and Chicken Slow Cooker Soup / Sarah Crowder / Katie Workman / themom100.com

Slow Cooker Red Lentil, Fennel and Chicken Soup

This thick and satisfying soup has tailgating or sidelines or post-game meal written all over it. You can just make the soup without the chicken called for in the recipe, and then stir in shredded cooked turkey for the last hour or so of cooking so it takes on the soup’s amazing flavors (coriander! cumin!)

The Easiest Shortcut Chicken Ramen Noodle Soup

The Easiest Shortcut Chicken Ramen Noodle Soup

It’s not the complicated recipe creation that makes me feel happy and proud so much….it’s the easy ones.

Fragrant Chicken Tomato Soup in bowl near yellow napkin and spoon.

Chicken Tomato Soup

The smell of this savory soup, which includes easily available pantry ingredients, will make everyone within range instantly ravenous.

Turkey Pot Pie

Turkey Pot Pie

Brightly colored vegetables mingle with satisfying chunks of leftover cooked turkey in one of the simplest but most delicious pot pies ever. 

Two plates with Turkey Tetrazzini and salad.

Turkey Tetrazzini

Leftover turkey mixed with sautéed fresh mushrooms and a delightful cream sauce spiked with sherry, sage, and parsley is nestled under a cheesy, crunchy breadcrumb topping. This tetrazinni casserole is anything but boring!

Leftover Turkey Split Pea Soup

Leftover Turkey Split Pea Soup

The most comforting, satisfying way to use up leftover turkey, including a simple homemade stock.

Turkey Reuben Sandwiches / Sarah Crowder / Katie Workman / themom100.com

Turkey Reuben Sandwiches

This version of one of the most delicious and classic sandwiches in the sandwich lexicon uses turkey for a lighter change of pace.

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