Looking for some healthy leftover turkey recipes to use up extra Thanksgiving turkey?I've collected 12 of the best use of leftovers that will help you to use up what you have left from Thanksgiving or Christmas! Tons of variety to include leftovers like meat, cranberry sauce, stuffing, mashed potatoes, veggies and more!
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Whether you have leftovers from Thanksgiving or Christmas or you have smoked meat from a barbecue or smoker, these recipes give you a variety of choices to use up what you have.
Recipes like soups, sandwiches, casseroles, wraps and pasta are an easy and quick choice when you have a fridge full of leftover meat. If it's the holidays, you likely have a lot of other leftovers like mashed potatoes, stuffing, broccoli, sweet potatoes, green beans and more!
Of course you can freeze your leftovers, but these ideas are going to have you eating Thanksgiving meals for a while! Many of these recipes are light, some are heart healthy and even low carb!
INSTANT POT TURKEY NOODLE SOUP
Cozy and full of flavor yet light and refreshing!
Use up those leftovers with a delicious and nutritious soup!
Crescent rolls wrapped around leftover meat and other Thanksgiving sides make this super easy for the holidays.
Quick and easy and can be eaten for a meal or an appetizer.
These tacos are one of the most fun and healthy leftover turkey recipes!
All of the sides and meat are in a tortilla and taste just as delicious as the original meal!
Only 20 minute and this delicious meal is on the table.
A deliciously creamy, lightly spiced curry recipe that the whole family will love. One of the easiest healthy leftover turkey recipes out there!
Delicious pasta and creamy sauce make this a super easy meal.
A delicious pasta recipe the entire family will enjoy!
Whether you use it for soups or sipping, it's a great way to use up leftover bones.
Make this recipe in either your Instant Pot or on the stove top!
A delicious sandwich bursting with tons of flavor.
A mix of savory and sweet that complement each other so well.
An easy wrap recipe you can make for lunch or a quick dinner.
Swap mayo for yogurt for a protein boost.
A fun twist on Thanksgiving dinner with delicious flaky crust.
Delicious veggies and a simple gravy make this recipe so hearty and filling.
The perfect sandwich for lunch or an easy dinner.
Serve toasted or make on the griddle for a delicious sandwich.
One of the most flavorful and healthy leftover turkey recipes bursting with Mediterranean flavors.
Fresh veggies, tzatziki and soft pita bread make this wrap so tasty.
Nachos are delicious any time of the week!
Perfect for a game day appetizer or a fun dinner.
FAQs
According to Martha Stewart (the queen of all things entertaining) leftover cooked turkey can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. That gives you a few days after Thanksgiving to give these healthy leftover turkey recipes a try!
If the meat has been overcooked one of the best uses for it is with a soup like this noodle soup, casserole or a pasta bake to help get some moisture back into it.
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Instant Pot Turkey Noodle Soup
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup chopped carrots
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 1 cup chopped green beans
- 1 quart chicken broth use 2 quarts if you like more broth
- 16 oz egg noodles
- 2 cups leftover turkey
- 2 tablespoon parsley chopped
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1.5 cups plain Greek yogurt ¼ cup per bowl
Instructions
Instant Pot Instructions
- Turn on Instant Pot saute feature and press start. Add in olive oil and heat. Add in onions and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add in chopped carrots, celery and green beans along with 1 quart of broth. Stir gently then place lid into locked and sealed position. Cook on manual high pressure for 10 minutes. Release pressure, cancel manual mode.
- Turn saute mode back on and add egg noodles. Let noodles saute for 7-8 minute or until desired firmness.
- Stir in cooked turkey and stir. Allow to simmer until just heated through, 1-2 minutes. Stir in Greek yogurt, top with parsley and salt & pepper to taste if desired.
Stove Top Instructions
- Heat olive oil over medium heat and then add in carrots and celery. Saute until softening and slightly translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add broth and allow soup to come to a boil then reduce heat and simmer on medium low for about 15 minutes.
- Add in noodles and cook for 10 minutes or until the noodles are al dente. Stir in chopped turkey and heat until warmed through.
- Stir in Greek yogurt and then top with chopped parsley and season with salt and pepper if desired. Serve hot.
Notes
- If the meat is already cooked it is very important to add the meat last and only allow it to simmer until heated through. Since it is already cooked it will dry out quickly if left to simmer too long.
- Freezer: Store in quart sized freezer safe soup containers for up to 3 months.
- Leftovers: Add in up to 1 additional quart of chicken broth when storing leftovers as the noodles tend to suck up much of the broth. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
- Reheat: Reheat in the microwave or on the stove top until heated through.
- Paleo: Swap noodles for potatoes and omit Greek yogurt for a paleo version that is dairy free.
- Stir in some kale for some extra greens!
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