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 long will smoked turkey keep in the refrigerator? ›

Refrigerate meat and poultry within 2 hours of removing it from a smoker. Cut the meat or poultry into smaller portions or slices, place it in shallow containers, cover, and refrigerate. Use it within 4 days or freeze for later use.

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.

Can I freeze smoked turkey? ›

I would let it cool completely, then wrap it tightly with two layers of heavy duty aluminum foil and freeze it solid and put it into a ziplock freezer bag, squeezing out as much air as you can. Stored that way, it should be good for at least a few weeks.

Is a 3 year old frozen turkey still good? ›

A whole turkey can be stored in the freezer for up to 12 months. Turkey pieces are best consumed within nine months.

How to tell if smoked turkey is 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.

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 you fry an already smoked turkey? ›

You should aim for around 135F before pulling the turkey from the smoker. The next step is deep frying the whole turkey in the hot oil. Put the smoked turkey into the fry basket and lower it carefully into the cooking oil. Then, fry for 10-15 min.

How to reheat a smoked turkey without drying it out? ›

Simply heat your oven to 300 degrees, put the carved meat in a baking dish, and add some chicken broth or turkey stock to the pan. The meat will absorb some of the liquid as it heats, making it nice and juicy. Cover the pan tightly with foil and place it in the oven until the meat is hot, 20 to 30 minutes.

What sauces go well with smoked turkey? ›

846 suggested recipes
  • Thai Peanut Dipping SauceKitchenAid.
  • Guided. ...
  • Yummly Original. ...
  • Bobby Flay's Turkey Dipping SauceToday.
  • Apricot Dijon Dipping SauceSmucker's.
  • Buffalo Blue Cheese Dipping SauceTyson.
  • Creamy Pineapple-lime Dipping Saucebestfoods.
  • Vietnamese Dipping SaucePork.

What to do with an already smoked turkey breast? ›

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. Place turkey breast back in pan and return to oven and cook for an additional 20 minutes.

Can you use the drippings from a smoked turkey? ›

The goal in making smoked turkey gravy is to use the neck, giblets, and backbone (if you're smoking a spatchco*ck turkey) to help you get that turkey flavor in your gravy. If you're fully set on having drippings in your gravy, you can obtain some when slicing the turkey after it's been smoked.

Will reheating smoked turkey dry it out? ›

To not dry out a turkey, you need to add moisture when you reheat the meat.

Is smoked turkey good reheated? ›

Our Hickory-Smoked Turkeys are fully cooked, ready to heat and serve. The only challenge is making sure that you do not dry out the turkey meat by re-heating on too high of a temperature or for too long.

Can you eat smoked turkey after 5 days? ›

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.

How long can Butterball smoked turkey stay in fridge? ›

Storage Instructions

Use leftover turkey within 3 days.

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

Here are a few additional Greenberg Turkey tips: Turkey may be held in the refrigerator six to eight days. Serve chilled or at room temperature. If heating the turkey, place in an oven bag.

Will smoked meat last longer in the fridge? ›

Smoked meat can be kept for four days, as long as it was refrigerated within two hours of being removed from the smoker. If you properly wrap and freeze your smoked meat, it can last up to three months.

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