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 many days can you eat leftover smoked turkey? ›

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.

Can you make gravy from a smoked turkey? ›

Here's how to make homemade turkey stock for your turkey gravy: Put the legs (or the neck and tails) on the smoker for an hour. Transfer them to a crock pot with 8 cups water, 1 cup celery, 1 cup carrots, 1 medium yellow onion, and 2 Tablespoons of salt. Cook it on low for 6-8 hours.

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.

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.

Is it safe to eat leftover turkey after 6 days? ›

Like other leftovers, leftover cooked turkey can—and will—go bad. “The texture and smell of turkey will indicate when it has gone bad,” Edwards says. “Generally it will smell bad and get a slimy texture. It's best to throw it away after four days in the fridge or move it to the freezer at that point.”

What to do with an already smoked turkey breast? ›

Remove turkey breast from packaging and rewrap in aluminum foil (to prevent sticking, first spray aluminum foil with nonstick cooking spray). Place foil-wrapped turkey breast in shallow roasting pan. Heat at 350° F for 1 hour and 20 minutes. Remove pan from oven and carefully remove foil.

What is the Greenberg smoked turkey lawsuit? ›

The complaint alleged that Goode-Cook stole instructions developed by Greenberg for cooking a smoked turkey. The instructions involved three short paragraphs filled with fairly standard instructions on how to handle and cook a turkey.

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

Today's smoked turkeys are less salty, more moist, and far more palatable than any cured product our ancestors ate. The milder cured and smoked meats today need only be stored under refrigeration. This fine smoked turkey may be kept in the freezer up to 6 months or in the refrigerator up to 2 weeks–enjoy!

How does Gordon Ramsay make turkey gravy? ›

Roughly chop the bacon, add to the tray and fry for a few minutes. Chop the onions and lemon and add to the tray with 2 rosemary sprigs and the tomatoes. Cook for 1–2 minutes, then add the turkey wings, parson's nose and drumstick tips and fry for a few more minutes. Pour in the cider and boil for a few minutes.

Can you get turkey drippings from a smoked turkey? ›

You can follow almost any recipe for gravy and just add the drippings from the smoked turkey. To collect the drippings, place a large drip pan filled with a liter of water, beer, wine, or juice underneath the turkey while it is cooking.

Why does smoked turkey taste like ham? ›

Ever wonder why so many smoked game birds look and taste like ham, instead of like pheasant, turkey, duck, quail, or whatever else they're supposed to be? The answer is sodium nitrite, a salt often used to cure meats, which acts as a preservative to keep meat fresher longer. Typically, it is added to a soaking brine.

Can you fry an already smoked turkey? ›

Drop the "smoked" turkey into the 350 degree oil. Fry until you reach 160 in the deepest part of the breast. The fry will take approximately 1 - 1/2 mins per lb at 350. This part of the cook will take approximately 20 minutes on a 15 lb turkey.

Is smoked turkey considered fully cooked? ›

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.

Is 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 smoked turkey go bad? ›

Throw out smoked turkey that smells sour or feels slimy. Don't taste it to try to tell if it's bad since it's not worth the risk of getting sick. Refrigerate or freeze the turkey within 2 hours of smoking it since leaving it at room temperature for longer than this causes bacteria to grow faster.

How long does store bought smoked turkey last in the fridge? ›

Today's smoked turkeys are less salty, more moist, and far more palatable than any cured product our ancestors ate. The milder cured and smoked meats today need only be stored under refrigeration. This fine smoked turkey may be kept in the freezer up to 6 months or in the refrigerator up to 2 weeks–enjoy!

Can you eat leftover turkey after 4 days? ›

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 is leftover smoked meat good for? ›

How Long Smoked Meats Last In The Fridge, Hot-Smoked Or Cold-Smoked. Hot-smoked meat, like ribs or brisket, lasts four days in the fridge and up to three months in the freezer, while cold-smoked meats can last for a few months or even indefinitely.

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