Leftover turkey dries out fast, so the trick is adding moisture back in: broth, sauce, gravy, or mayo. Once you do that, it works anywhere you would use rotisserie chicken.
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Here is where mine goes over the next three or four days, sorted by how much effort you feel like putting in.
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Soups
The best use for a turkey carcass. Simmer it into stock and the soup basically makes itself.
Leftover Turkey Noodle Soup
Leftover Turkey Wild Rice Soup
Leftover Turkey Chili
Crack Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe
Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe
Baked and Comforting
For the days you want to sit down to something that still feels like a real dinner.
Leftover Turkey Shepherd's Pie
Leftover Turkey Pot Pie
Turkey Tetrazzini
Leftover Turkey Enchiladas
Baked Turkey Croquettes
Turkey a la King
Million Dollar Chicken Casserole Recipe (Crispy Topping!)
Fast and Fresh
Fifteen minutes, one pan, done. Good for the day you do not want to think about Thanksgiving anymore.
Leftover Turkey Fried Rice
Ground Turkey Wraps with Tahini Sauce
Leftover Turkey Curry
Healthy Chicken Burrito Bowl
Creamy Chicken Pasta Salad
Sandwiches Worth Making
The day-after sandwich might be the best meal of the whole weekend.
Turkey Wrap Recipe
Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Sliders
Turkey Melt
My Best Tips for Leftover Turkey
A little extra moisture and a fast timeline are the whole trick.
- Add liquid back in. Roasted turkey dries out in the fridge. A splash of broth, gravy, or a spoonful of mayo brings it back to life in whatever you are making.
- Use it within four days. Cooked turkey keeps three to four days refrigerated. If you will not get to it in time, freeze it instead of letting it sit.
- Freeze it in broth, not dry. Shredded turkey covered in a little broth and frozen flat in a bag reheats far better than turkey frozen dry.
- Make stock from the carcass the same day. Simmer it with onion, carrot, celery, and bay for a few hours while you do literally anything else, then freeze the stock in portions.
- Reheat low and covered. High heat dries leftover turkey out fast. Low oven heat with foil, or short microwave bursts under a damp paper towel, keeps it moist.
Leftover Turkey FAQs
How long is leftover turkey good for?
Three to four days in the fridge, or up to three months frozen. Freeze it covered in broth to help it stay moist.
How do you reheat turkey without drying it out?
Low heat, covered, with a splash of broth or gravy. In the microwave, short bursts under a damp paper towel work best.
What can I make with a turkey carcass?
Stock. Simmer it with onion, carrot, celery, and bay leaves for two to three hours, then use it for soup or freeze it for later.
Before You Go
For the rest of the holiday, see What to Serve with Turkey and cozy soup recipes for more ways to use that homemade stock.
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