Published: by Lyndsey Piccolino · This post may contain affiliate links
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Do you need healthy leftover turkey recipes to use up extra Thanksgiving turkey? I've collected 12 of the best leftovers that use up turkey leftovers from Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner! Each recipe is a good use of leftovers like meat, cranberry sauce, stuffing, mashed potatoes, veggies, and more!
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What Is a Popular Dish Made With Leftover Turkey?
Whether you have Thanksgiving leftovers or you have smoked meat from a barbecue or smoker, these delicious recipes give you a variety of choices to use up what you have.
Healthy recipes like soups, sandwiches, casseroles, wraps, and pasta are an easy and quick choice when you have a lot of leftover turkey.
If it's the holidays, you likely have a lot of other leftovers from Thanksgiving Day like mashed potatoes, stuffing, broccoli, sweet potatoes, green beans, cheesy Brussels sprouts, and more!
You can freeze your leftover turkey breast, but these tasty ways are a great way to have your meals planned for days! Many of these recipes are light, some are heart-healthy and even low-carb!
Healthy Turkey Leftover Recipes
INSTANT POT TURKEY NOODLE SOUP
Classic turkey soup is cozy and full of flavor while also being light and refreshing!
Instant Pot Turkey Noodle Soup
Mix chicken broth with delicious turkey and other leftovers for a delicious and nutritious soup! You can use leftover chicken too!
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 minutes and this delicious meal is on the table. Serve with white rice, cauliflower rice, or brown rice.
Adeliciously 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 recipe.
One of the best leftover turkey casseroles that the entire family will enjoy!
Use it for a leftover turkey soup recipe like wild rice soup or sipping, it's a great way to use up leftover bones.
Make this recipe with turkey carcass, red onion, carrots, and celery in your Instant Pot or stovetop!
A delicious sandwich bursting with tons of flavor.
Cranberry & brie turkey sandwiches are 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 low-fat mayo for yogurt for a protein boost.
A fun twist on Thanksgiving dinner with the best part - a deliciously flaky crust!
Turkey pot pie is full of delicious veggies and a simple gravy that makes this recipe so hearty and filling.
It's the perfect sandwich for lunch or an easy dinner.
Serve this leftover Thanksgiving turkey sandwich toasted or make it on the griddle!
It is 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.
Use up leftover dark meat or turkey legs with this cheesy and satisfying nachos recipe.
Perfect for a game day appetizer or a fun dinner.
FAQs
How long is leftover turkey good for in the refrigerator?
According to the USDA, 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!
How to improve leftover turkey?
Leftover turkey tastes best when used in a recipe like a cozy soup, casserole, or recipe with gravy that helps to impart moisture back into the meat.
You can also swap it for rotisserie chicken in rotisserie chicken recipes such as chicken salad, homemade taquitos, or even buffalo chicken dip.
What can I do with overcooked turkey breast?
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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5 from 4 votes
20-Minute Instant Pot Turkey Noodle Soup
Use up Thanksgiving leftovers or just give your traditional chicken noodle soup a twist with this incredibly easy Instant Pot Turkey Noodle Soup. This recipe is super easy to make in under 20 minutes and is a great way to use up pantry ingredients or what you have on hand!
Course Dinner, Soup
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time 18 minutes minutes
Total Time 28 minutes minutes
Servings 6 servings
Calories 229kcal
Author Lyndsey
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup chopped carrots
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 1 cup chopped green beans
- 1 small onion diced
- 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.
1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 small onion
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.
1 cup chopped carrots, 1 cup chopped celery, 1 cup chopped green beans, 1 quart chicken broth
Turn saute mode back on and add egg noodles. Let noodles saute for 7-8 minute or until desired firmness.
16 oz egg noodles
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.
2 cups leftover turkey, 2 tablespoon parsley, 1.5 cups plain Greek yogurt, salt and pepper
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-safesoup 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 stovetop until heated through.
- Paleo: Swap noodles for potatoes and omit Greek yogurt for a paleo version that is dairy-free.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 229kcal | Carbohydrates: 25.3g | Protein: 20.1g | Fat: 5.3g
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