Over 25 recipes for Thanksgiving Leftovers and Cooked Turkey recipes. See these turkey leftover recipes plus several other side dish makeovers.
Does your family get tired of turkey and all the other Thanksgiving leftovers before they are all gone? Do you think about freezing them but you really don’t need more unidentified packages to discover in your freezer in 3 months? But what if you could turn all those Thanksgiving leftovers into new and delicious dishes, some even that your family wouldn’t even recognizeas leftovers?
We have searched and searched and gathered a lineup of Thanksgiving leftover recipes that are sure to please you and your family. Yes, these Thanksgiving leftovers ideas can indeed be a treasure trove of future meals without your family groaning. When you resurrect all those dishes of turkey, stuffing and side dishes into new and delicious meals, your family will just adore you even more! Well, here is a long list of cooked turkey recipes that will definitely need it. In fact, we are thinking of maybe buying an extra turkey so we can enjoy more of these dishes.
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We thought we would share this list a little early so while you are planning your Thanksgiving feast, you will also have the opportunityto plan your leftovers menu.
And you just might buy that bigger turkey or add more potatoes to your recipe to ensure plenty of leftovers when you have some of these great recipes up your sleeve. But be sure to be prepared with great containers to make the most of these Thanksgiving Leftovers.
If you enjoy these Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes then see:
- 35 Desserts that will make your Thanksgiving Dinner Fabulous
- 9 of the Best Overnight Breakfast Casseroles
- Over 35 Side Dish Recipes for your Thanksgiving Dinner
- Every Recipe you need for Thanksgiving
Click Here to save these Thanksgiving Leftovers Recipes and Turkey leftover ideas to Pinterest
20+ Awesome Thanksgiving Leftovers Recipes
When you resurrect all those dishes of turkey, stuffing and side dishes into new and delicious meals, your family will just adore you even more
Thanksgiving Leftover Egg Rolls
Make Thanksgiving leftover egg rolls after will all those leftovers from Thanksgiving dinner. Fold turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce and mashed potatoes in an egg roll and fry. Or use these Air Fryer egg roll cooking instructions.
Make these Turkey and Swiss sliders with leftover turkey. These easy and tasty sliders are oven baked turkey and cheese sandwiches using a 12 pack of dinner rolls.
Light, super crispy, flaky pastry, with thick cranberry sauce, herbs, cheddar cheese and roast turkey and then baked to a perfect crispness.
Make these fried Mashed Potato Patties with yourleftover mashed potatoes
Repurpose your Thanksgiving leftovers in this hearty Turkey Pot Pie topped with fluffy, flaky sweet potato biscuits.
It is fast and easy and makes the perfect weekday meal using leftover turkey
Bubble & Squeak is a traditional English recipe thought to date back to the early 1800's and it was designed to use up leftovers, Perfect for Thanksgiving leftovers right?
This very flavorful Turkey Gnocchi Soup is a perfect way to use up Thanksgiving leftovers.
Use leftover turkey and noodles for a Turkey Noodle casserole using our delicious dinner
This is a perfect and delicious way to use up your leftover mashed potatoes after Thanksgiving or Christmas!
Make Sandwiches or topping for green salad using leftover turkey instead of the canned chicken in this recipe
This casserole recipe can be made with whatever veggies you have leftover plus turkey and dressing.
These turkey sliders are not only a great leftover turkey recipe but also a leftover cranberry sauce recipe.
This cranberry relish, cream cheese & turkey on a crostini is to die for!
Delicious and tender chunks of leftover turkey, carrots, onions, celery, and noodles are simmered in delicious homemade turkey stock
These easy finger food taquitos made with leftover turkey are just so divine!
A scrumptious way to use up that leftover cranberry sauce! And it looks so healthy!
It’s an easy Campbells soup chicken pot pie recipe with veg-all veggies
Flavorful stuffing soaked in a herby custard with juicy pieces of delicious turkey and sweet cranberries and finally topped with melted cheddar cheese.
Low-Carb Turkey Soup with Zucchini Noodles is a great way to use leftover turkey (or chicken) and this soup is so tasty you won’t miss the carbs!
Now these little turkey salad sliders look so good and I bet the salad idea is delicious on other kinds of bread.
This Cream Chili is made in the Slow Cooker. As the chili cooks, the squash starts to break down a bit and acts as a natural thickener to your dish.
This leftover turkey recipe is topped with a canned biscuit to make it not only easy but so delish!
This clever pie uses turkey, stuffing, potatoes and green beans for a delicious casserole!
Oh this is so cool! Kinda like a turkey pot "hand' Pie! YUM!!
This is a great way to make Turkey soup that is different but so delish!
This post for Turkey leftover ideas was Updated from 20 to 25
FAQs
The answer is simple: leftovers can be kept in the refrigerator for three to four days. This means you have until the Monday after Thanksgiving to eat all those delicious leftovers or place them in the freezer to enjoy later. If you store leftovers in the freezer, they will be of best quality within 2-6 months.
What is made from Thanksgiving leftovers? ›
Instead, try turning your leftovers into a casserole, like our turkey divan, our chicken stuffing casserole, or our turkey pot pie; a soup, like our turkey noodle soup, our leftover turkey & wild rice soup, or our homemade turkey stock (made from your turkey carcass); or something lighter or more flavorful than before, ...
What Thanksgiving leftovers freeze well? ›
Freezing Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes and Other Side Dishes
However, sides made of squash or sweet potatoes will keep for a few months in the freezer, as will gravies that aren't dairy-based. Additionally, mashed potatoes made with a lot of butter or cream can also be frozen for up to a year.
Can you eat cooked 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.
Is it OK to eat 5 day old leftovers? ›
Leftovers can be kept for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. After that, the risk of food poisoning goes up. If you don't think you'll be able to eat leftovers within four days, freeze them right away. Frozen leftovers will stay safe for a long time.
Can I freeze my Thanksgiving leftovers? ›
How Long Can You Freeze Leftover Turkey? Leftover turkey freezes well for up to six months if properly handled, packed and frozen within three days of the original preparation. However, I like to try and use it within three months for best flavor and texture, and to avoid the possibility of freezer burn.
What is the day after Thanksgiving usually called? ›
Black Friday, the day following Thanksgiving, has evolved into one of the busiest shopping days in the United States. Contrary to popular belief that the term originated from businesses going from "in the red" to "in the black" in profits after Thanksgiving, it actually traces back to 1960s Philadelphia.
What two food items were not present at the original Thanksgiving? ›
It is also worth noting what was not present at the first Thanksgiving feast. There were no cloudlike heaps of mashed potatoes, since white potatoes had not yet crossed over from South America. There was no gravy either, since the colonists didn't yet have mills to produce flour.
What are 3 foods that are eaten on Thanksgiving? ›
The traditional roasted turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, candied yams, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie are on almost every modern Thanksgiving menu, in some form or variation. This menu has evolved over time and continues to evolve today. President Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a national holiday in 1863.
What leftovers should not be frozen? ›
8 foods your freezer can ruin, if you're not careful
- Certain vegetables.
- Fresh herbs.
- Liquid and cultured dairy.
- Cheese.
- Eggs.
- Custard or meringue-based desserts.
- Cured meats.
- Spices.
Foods That Do Not Freeze Well (SP 50-766)
| Foods | Usual use |
|---|
| Sour cream | As topping, in salads |
| Cheese or crumb toppings | On casseroles |
| Cooked macaroni, spaghetti or rice | When frozen alone for later use |
| Mayonnaise or salad dressing | On sandwiches (not in salads) |
15 more rowsThe U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service recommends throwing out refrigerated leftovers after three to four days. If foods are kept in the freezer, they can usually still be consumed for three to four months.
Is a 3 year old frozen turkey still good? ›
Frozen Turkey
Turkeys can be kept in the freezer indefinitely. However, cook turkeys within 1 year for the best quality.
Can you eat 7 day old cooked turkey? ›
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends using cooked turkey within three to four days as long as it is kept refrigerated at a temperature that is 40°F or lower. “Refrigeration slows but does not stop bacterial growth,” the website states.
How long is stuffing good for? ›
Dressing/stuffing: Like turkey, if stored properly, stuffing or dressing will be safe to eat for three to four days after cooking. It will last for about a month if stored properly in the freezer. Cranberry sauce – homemade and store-bought: Homemade cranberry sauce lasts seven to 10 days.
Are leftovers good after 7 days? ›
How long do leftovers last? According to the FDA Food Code, all perishable foods that are opened or prepared should be thrown out after 7 days, maximum. No leftovers should survive in your fridge for longer than that. Some foods should be even be thrown away before the 7 day mark.
Is Thanksgiving food good after 4 days? ›
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service recommends throwing out refrigerated leftovers after three to four days. If foods are kept in the freezer, they can usually still be consumed for three to four months.
Can you eat stuffing after 5 days? ›
Dressing/stuffing: Like turkey, if stored properly, stuffing or dressing will be safe to eat for three to four days after cooking. It will last for about a month if stored properly in the freezer. Cranberry sauce – homemade and store-bought: Homemade cranberry sauce lasts seven to 10 days.
Do leftovers last 7 days? ›
How Long Do Leftovers Last? Typically, leftovers will safely last for three to four days if they're refrigerated within two hours and packed in an airtight container. According to the Mayo Clinic, after this time frame, illness-causing bacteria are more likely to grow, even in the cold environment of a refrigerator.
