Top Easy Ways to Use Turkey Leftovers

Wondering what do to with those turkey leftovers? Here are my go-to, easy and nutritious recipes that are perfect for using up your leftover turkey.

I love turkey leftovers as much as I love turkey dinner. Enjoying toasted turkey sandwiches the days after Thanksgiving or Christmas is one of my fondest memories growing up. The layers of turkey, stuffing, roasted veggies and cranberry sauce in between soft white bread… you can’t go wrong. SO delicious! Turkey barley soup is another fave – the ultimate comfort food!

Turkey meat is packed full of high quality protein, iron, Vitamin B-12, Selenium, Zinc and Potassium. It’s lean and filling and is naturally low in sodium. We often use ground turkey meat in recipes that call for ground beef because we find it’s just as tasty but a bit lighter in flavour (and saturated fat).

Over the years I’ve become creative with how I use turkey leftovers. Repurposing leftover meat, or poultry is one of my specialties and a great way to decrease food waste. Most of the recipes below are big-batch recipes that you can freeze for later too. So one turkey dinner could potentially turn into dozen of meals that you freeze and reheat on busy weekday nights!

If you’re looking for unconventional (and delicious) ways to use up your turkey leftovers, this post is for you! Where you see “chicken” or “ham”, just replace with leftover turkey!

1

One-Pot Southwestern Chicken/Turkey and Quinoa Skillet

One-pan meals are a mom’s best friend. This mom’s, anyways. My whole family loves this southwestern chicken (or turkey!) and quinoa skillet, and so will yours!

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2

Weeknight, One-Pan Thai Peanut Noodles

I love finding recipes that my whole family loves and that I can whip up in less than half an hour. This Thai Peanut Noodle Bowl recipe is as delicious as it sounds, and the whole recipe is made in one pan!

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3

Easy Weeknight Recipe: Two-Pan Thai Chicken/Turkey Veggie Bowls

There’s something very gratifying about finding a nutritious and tasty recipe that the whole family loves. What makes it even better is if it’s easy to throw together last minute! These Thai Chicken (or Turkey) Veggie Bowls hit the mark in every way–not only packed full of nutrition, but also delicious and super easy to prepare. If you're making it with leftover turkey, I would suggest adding to the bowls after the veggies have been roasted so as not to dry it out.

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4

Clean-Out-The-Fridge Fried Rice

Better than take-out by a long shot, my clean-out-the-fridge fried rice recipe is the bomb. It's the perfect base for adding leftover turkey.

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5

Easy Curry Chicken/Turkey Lettuce Wraps

These easy, nutritious and super tasty curry chicken/turkey lettuce wraps are the perfect solution to busy weekday lunches or dinners!

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6

Make-ahead Turkey Dinner Casserole

Don’t feel like cooking for hours and hours on Christmas Day or Thanksgiving? Me neither! Skip the hassle, and try this delicious, make-ahead turkey dinner casserole. It's also a great recipe for using up leftover turkey!

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7

Weeknight Frittata with Ham (or Turkey), Veggies and Pasta

I’m always looking for easy, quick dinnertime options that my kids will love, that I can whip up in minutes and that call for simple ingredients that I always have laying around. Even better is a versatile recipe (like these easy weeknight dinner ideas) that you can substitute various ingredients in if you don’t have everything. That’s where my pasta, ham/turkey and veggie frittata comes to the rescue!

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8

Easy Open-Faced Enchilada Quesadilla Recipe

They sound complicated, but they’re really simple (and really yummy!). Think make-your-own thin crust pizzas, only with a yummy Mexican twist!

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Top Easy Ways to Use Turkey Leftovers: Fried Rice & More

Sarah Remmer, RD

Clean-Out-The-Fridge Weeknight Fried Rice, a delicious, nutritious, one-pan meal that the whole family will love. Better than take-out by a long shot!

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Course Dinner

Cuisine American

Servings 6

Equipment

• Lodge Cast Iron Skillet, Pre-Seasoned and Ready for Stove Top or Oven Use, 10.25″, Black

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• Leftover cooked meat such as turkey, chicken, fish, or seafood (about 8-10 oz total ie. one pork tenderloin or 2 chicken breast)
• 3 cups leftover brown or white basmati rice
• 2 cups chopped fresh veggies
• 1/3 cup frozen peas
• 2 eggs whisked
• 1/3 cup low sodium soy sauce
• 2.5 tbsp sesame oil
• 2 cloves garlic minced

Instructions

 

• In a large wok, heat sesame oil over medium-high heat. Add garlic, veggies, peas and sauté until tender-crisp (a few minutes).
• Reduce heat to medium-low, move veggies to one side of pan and add whisked egg. Cook until eggs are scrambled.
• Add rice, meat/chicken/seafood and sauté for 2-3 minutes. Add soy sauce and combine, sautéing for another few minutes. Allow a few minutes to cool and serve!

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

For more easy recipes and tips on kids nutrition, check out my Facebook page, where I post daily! 

Sarah Remmer, RD

Sarah Remmer, RD, is a registered dietitian and mom of three, specializing in family and pediatric nutrition. She’s the founder of Centred Nutrition Collective and has nearly 20 years of experience helping families feel confident about feeding their kids.