Healthy Recipes for Leftover Turkey (2024)

November 23, 2017 — last updated October 17, 2023 by Kalyn Denny30 comments »

Here are my favorite Healthy Recipes for Leftover Turkey, and there are some long-time favorites in this collection! Check out the recipes in this round-up if you want strictly low-carb leftover turkey recipes!

PIN Healthy Recipes for Leftover Turkey to try some later!

Healthy Recipes for Leftover Turkey (1)

It’s Thanksgiving Day and every one who celebrates Thanksgiving has probably been up for a few hours putting the turkey in the oven, right? I’m going to be taking a few days off to enjoy the holiday, but first I wanted to update this collection of Healthy Recipes for Leftover Turkey. If you’re lucky enough to have some leftover turkey I hope you find something here that catches your eye for an idea to use it!

I love, love, love Thanksgiving and the way it reminds us to be grateful for the blessings we have in our lives, and I hope all my readers have a wonderful Thanksgiving with plenty of leftover turkey! Now on to the healthy recipes for leftover turkey; enjoy!

Want strictly low-carb recipes for leftover turkey?

The recipes in this round-up are partly comfort food Thanksgiving leftovers, so even though they’re healthy recipes, not all of them are super low in carbs. If you want to see my low-carb options for leftover turkey, check out my round-ups for Low-Carb Leftover Turkey Recipes or Low-Carb and Keto Turkey Soup Recipes!

Leftover Turkey and Leftover Chicken:

This collection of ideas for leftover turkey includes plenty of recipes that were made with cooked chicken breast, because any recipe that uses leftover chicken can also be made with leftover turkey, and vice-versa!

Healthy Recipes for Leftover Turkey (or Chicken):

Healthy Recipes for Leftover Turkey (2)

An after-Thanksgiving classic is this Leftover Turkey Casserole that has brown rice, mushrooms, and a creamy cheesy sauce, and this recipe is usually a hit with everyone!

Healthy Recipes for Leftover Turkey (3)

Amy’s Amazing White Chicken Chili is made with chicken breasts, but you could use white turkey meat to make this amazing chili as well. (Add the leftover turkey towards the end of the cooking time.)

Healthy Recipes for Leftover Turkey (4)

Slow Cooker Turkey Soup with Kale and Sweet Potatoes is a delicious idea for using leftover turkey!

Healthy Recipes for Leftover Turkey (5)

Green Chile Chicken Quesadillasmight be the perfect dish for Thanksgiving leftovers if you want something quick and easy! I make these with low-carb tortillas, but use any tortillas you prefer.

Healthy Recipes for Leftover Turkey (6)

This easy Mexican Chicken Soup is flavored with lime and cilantro, and it can be made with pinto beans or cauliflower rice.

Healthy Recipes for Leftover Turkey (7)

I love this recipe for Chicken Egg Foo Yung, and this would be an extra-fun way to use leftover turkey!

Healthy Recipes for Leftover Turkey (8)

This delicious Chicken Barley Soup is perfect to make with leftover turkey, and this soup is not even that high in carbs!

Healthy Recipes for Leftover Turkey (9)<

And one thing I’ll always be making after Thanksgiving is these Turkey Pita Sandwiches with Cranberry Salsa.

More Recipes for Leftover Turkey (or Chicken):

  • Turkey, Sweet Potato, and Black Bean Soup
  • Sesame Noodles with Chicken
  • Coconut-Lime Turkey and Rice Soup
  • Chicken Black Bean Salad
  • Slow Cooker Turkey Soup with Spinach and Lemon
  • Mexican Chicken Casserole with Pinto Beans

Healthy Recipes for Leftover Turkey (10)

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Categories: Holiday Recipes, Recipe Round-Ups, Recipes, Ingredients: Chicken, Turkey

originally published on Nov 23, 2017 (last updated Oct 17, 2023) by Kalyn Denny

30 commentsLeave a comment »

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  1. Ashley SReply

    Kalyns kitchen thank you for this information very helpful when it comes to understanding keto diet and i’m also grateful i found https://cutt.ly/ketoplus, it helped me not only lose the weight but keep it off, hope it helps others!

  2. Pingback: RECIPES - Wellness Witness

  3. Kalyn DennyReply

    Thanks Jeanette; hope you're having a great day!

  4. JeanetteReply

    Lots of great ideas for leftovers from the big day. Happy Thanksgiving Kalyn!

  5. Kalyn DennyReply

    Erin, thanks so much. So glad you like the ideas!

  6. Erin | The Law Students WifeReply

    I absolutely love this round up! Sharing it with my facebook fans today. Here's to eating well at the holidays (while still keeping it healthy too!)

  7. Barbara BakesReply

    Some many great, healthy ideas. It would be nice to try a bite of each.

  8. JeanetteReply

    Hope you had a really nice Thanksgiving Kalyn – lots of great ideas for leftovers! We simply layered all the leftovers in a casserole pan and reheated it. The boys love leftovers from Thanksgiving.

  9. Kalyn DennyReply

    Joe, so glad the recipes are helpful for you.

  10. JoeReply

    Kalyn,

    Thank you so much for your Blog. We truly enjoy the recipes and find ourselves making adjustments based on our likes/dislikes. We have been SouthBeach dieters for 2 years and have found it important to find those likable alternatives.

  11. Kalyn DennyReply

    Thanks so much, go glad it has been good for you.

  12. bewitchingkitchen.comReply

    Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy your break, and enjoy all the great things of being with family and loved ones!

    It's been a joy to follow your blog through the years, you are a source of inspiration!

  13. Diethood.comReply

    This is a delicious round up. Now I'm seriously hungry.
    Have a Happy Thanksgiving!!

  14. Kalyn DennyReply

    So glad you enjoyed it!

  15. ValKahnReply

    I made your Layered Mexican Casserole W/Chicken for dinner tonight. My family loved it! Thank you for sharing.

  16. Kalyn DennyReply

    Thanks Diane, and I'm going to update this post, so it may be 25 ideas using turkey by the time you next see it!

  17. Diane BalchReply

    Just wanted to let you know that your recipe has been included in a turkey roundup today. I will be pinning and tweeting it too. Happy Thanksgiving.

  18. Kalyn DennyReply

    Thankd Dara. I had a great Thanksgiving at my sister's house.

    Carrian, sadly, all my turkey is now gone.

    Jen, you're welcome. Hope you get to try some and enjoy them.

  19. JenReply

    Thanks so much for this list! I can't wait to try some of these recipes. The casseroles look delish and are gluten-free friendly 🙂 Yum!

  20. CarrianReply

    great ideas!! Heaven knows we have plenty to get rid of!

  21. Cookin' CanuckReply

    Wow, what a fantastic list of recipes to use up that extra turkey. The Coconut-Lime Turkey & the sesame noodles have both caught my eye. I hope you had a wonderful day yesterday!

  22. Kalyn DennyReply

    Thanks all; so glad people like my suggestions. (And I wish I had more leftover turkey too!)

  23. gfe--gluten free easilyReply

    Lovely sentiments, Kalyn, and wow on this recipe roundup! I was tickled to figure out 10 turkey leftover recipes for a roundup on my blog. 20 shows how many awesome recipes you have in general. Those soups look so appealing on this chilly morning, but I can also see how people could not resist that lasagna. It sure makes me wish I had some gluten-free lasagna noodles on hand. 😉 (Hmmm,maybe I should make some homemade gf lasagna?)

    Will leave a comment on the specific post, but wanted to also let you know that I did make your roasted green beans with red peppers. Oh my goodness, Kalyn, they are so good. 🙂 I can't wait to eat leftovers later today! 😉

    Belated happy Thanksgiving, dear! Hope you are having a fabulous time with your family!

    Shirley

  24. Lydia (The Perfect Pantry)Reply

    Now I wish I had more turkey left over! Great round-up of low-glycemic post-Thanksgiving recipes. I'm going to start with the soups (predictable, aren't I?).

  25. John BoxReply

    Wow, thanks for so many ideas for my leftover turkey. The West African Chicken and Peanut Stew looks amazing and I definitely will be trying that out.

  26. PennyReply

    Happy Thanksgiving Kalyn. You have been an inspiration and roll model to so many.

  27. "Firman Way Anak MCRmy"Reply

    waw,… deliciouss,….

  28. Kalyn DennyReply

    CA, sorry but I have never heard of that. But I do have a new feature on the blog that lets you save recipes to your own recipe box through Ziplist. You can access it on any site that's signed up with Ziplist, so the file can never get lost.

    T.W., thanks so much and best wishes for you on Thanksgiving and every day!

  29. T.W. Barritt at Culinary TypesReply

    Happy Thanksgiving, Kalyn! Blessings to you and your family!

  30. C.A. MarshallReply

    Hey Kalyn! I tracked your blog down through forums for the YUM recipe manager software. I'm wondering if you still have a working copy of it? I made the mistake of not exporting the right kind of file before upgrading and now I can't see any of my recipes. 🙁 I'm trying to track down anyone that would be willing to open my file and export it again in the right format. There are only about 50 recipes, so it's not a large file.

    If you can help, I'd be eternally grateful!

Healthy Recipes for Leftover Turkey (2024)

FAQs

How long is leftover turkey good in the refrigerator? ›

USDA recommends using cooked turkey within 3 to 4 days, kept refrigerated (40°F or less). Refrigeration slows but does not stop bacterial growth.

Are turkey leftovers good for your health? ›

According to foodsafety.gov, a website of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the following foods are safe in the fridge: Turkey: 3-4 days. Eat turkey within three to four days of cooking. If you use the turkey in a new dish like a soup or casserole, only consume within those initial four days.

How to reheat leftover turkey without drying it out? ›

“The best way to reheat turkey is in the oven,” says chef Jose Garces. “Slice the turkey, place it in a shallow pan, add some chicken or turkey stock, and cover tightly with foil. Heat at 300 or 325 degrees until the turkey reaches 165 degrees. The stock should allow the turkey to steam without drying out.”

What can I do with leftover turkey fat? ›

Left over pan drippings from your roast turkey can be poured off into a separate container and used later to flavour a host of dishes such as soups, stews and mashed potatoes. You can freeze them in ice cube size quantities and store them for months, adding a few to a casserole to lift the flavour.

Is it OK to eat turkey that's been in the fridge for 2 weeks? ›

If properly stored, raw turkey can last in the fridge for 1–2 days, while cold cuts last up to 5 days. How long does cooked turkey last in the fridge? If you have leftovers that include cooked turkey, you can expect those to last in the refrigerator for 3–4 days.

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.

What is the healthiest way to eat turkey? ›

Choosing light meat without the skin is the healthiest way to eat turkey. It's also important to choose fresh over processed turkey. One cup of light meat turkey already contains more than 18% of your daily recommended dose of sodium. Processed turkey can have more than 35% of that recommended dose.

When to throw out leftover turkey? ›

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.

Why does leftover turkey taste different? ›

Though it's especially obvious in leftover fish and poultry, discerning connoisseurs can pick out the WOF bouquet in most reheated meats. These flavors are the result of a series of chemical reactions that begins with the deterioration of specific kinds of fats known as polyunsaturated fatty acids, or PUFAs.

How do chefs reheat turkey? ›

To reheat, preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Keeping the turkey in the roasting pan, pour a bit of stock (chicken, turkey, or veggie stock or broth will work) over the meat to moisten it. Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes to an hour, or until the turkey is warmed through.

How to make leftover turkey moist? ›

Add moisture

Splash the turkey with a bit of leftover broth or stock and cover the baking dish with aluminum foil. Bake for 20 minutes. The aluminum foil will prevent moisture from evaporating too quickly and the low temperature will help prevent the turkey from losing flavor.

Why can you only reheat turkey once? ›

How many times can you reheat turkey? It's not a good idea to reheat turkey more than once. Technically, as long as it reaches 165° each time, it's safe to eat. That said, it's a food safety hazard to some degree, since every time you heat and cool food, it passes through the danger zone (between 40° and 140°).

How long is leftover turkey good in the fridge? ›

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends using cooked turkey within three to four days as long as it is kept refrigerated at a temperature that is 40°F or lower.

What do stores do with leftover turkeys? ›

As a result, many unwanted fresh Thanksgiving turkeys are sent straight to the butcher so that consumers can purchase smaller, more affordable portions of the meat. Some grocery stores also opt to cook a portion of their leftover Thanksgiving meats to be sold at their delis.

What is rendered turkey fat called? ›

The English term schmaltz is derived from Yiddish and is cognate with the German term Schmalz, which refers to any rendered fat of animal origin, including lard (more precisely Schweineschmalz) and clarified butter (Butterschmalz). English use tends to follow Yiddish, which limits its meaning to rendered poultry fat.

Can you eat cooked turkey 5 days later? ›

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.

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.

Can I keep a fresh turkey in the fridge for 6 days? ›

Storing a Fresh Turkey

If no best-before date is present, Health Canada recommends using a fresh whole turkey stored in the refrigerator within 2-3 days of purchase or ask at the place of purchase.

Are leftovers good after 7 days? ›

Leftovers can be kept for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. After that, the risk of food poisoning goes up. If you don't think you'll be able to eat leftovers within four days, freeze them right away. Frozen leftovers will stay safe for a long time.

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