Featured photo: Stacie Vaughan / Simply Stacie.
Thanksgiving leftovers can become a different meal with a new sauce, a pot of soup or a tray of sandwiches. Start with the cooked turkey and sides you actually have rather than buying a second holiday shopping list.
These 12 recipes focus on cooked turkey in soups, casseroles, sandwiches and enchiladas. The sliders also use stuffing and cranberry sauce, giving several leftovers a place in one dish.
Use leftovers that have been stored safely and follow the linked recipe’s preparation and reheating directions. A new recipe does not reset the age of the cooked ingredients, so plan portions and freezing around the original meal.
Soups, Sandwiches and Casseroles
Thanksgiving Sliders
Leftover turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce layer in rolls for a baked sandwich tray. These use several holiday leftovers together; follow the source’s method for the butter topping and warming the filling. Recipe and photo: Stacie Vaughan / Simply Stacie.
Turkey Soup Recipe
Cooked turkey, carrots, celery and small pasta simmer in broth for a simple leftovers soup. The full recipe guides the pasta and vegetable timing so they finish together. Recipe and photo: Holly Nilsson / Spend With Pennies.
Turkey Stew
Leftover turkey, potatoes, carrots and celery simmer into a creamy stew. It turns cooked meat into a bowl meal with more vegetables rather than another sandwich. Recipe and photo: Holly Nilsson / Spend With Pennies.
Slow Cooker Turkey Soup (Cajun Bean)
A Cajun bean mix, smoked sausage and cooked turkey make a hearty soup. Follow the dried-bean cooking method and check the seasoning packet rather than treating it as a quick canned-bean recipe. Recipe and photo: Holly Nilsson / Spend With Pennies.
Turkey Tetrazzini
Spaghetti, cooked turkey and mushrooms bake in a creamy cheese sauce. This is a richer pasta dinner for sharing, with the full recipe guiding sauce preparation and the oven step. Recipe and photo: Holly Nilsson / Spend With Pennies.
Turkey Pot Pie
Cooked turkey and vegetables sit in a creamy filling beneath a double pastry crust. Allow time for the filling and pastry to bake properly, then rest before serving. Recipe and photo: Holly Nilsson / Spend With Pennies.
Creamy Turkey Casserole
Cooked turkey and pasta bake with mushrooms, a creamy soup-based sauce and cheese. The crumb topping adds texture to a family-size meal made from leftover meat. Recipe and photo: Holly Nilsson / Spend With Pennies.
Herbed Turkey Stroganoff
Cooked turkey joins mushrooms in a sauce with herbs, white wine, cream and sour cream. Serve with the linked recipe’s noodles or potatoes, and note that the sauce includes added wine. Recipe and photo: Holly Nilsson / Spend With Pennies.
Turkey Sandwich
Leftover turkey, cheese, lettuce, tomato and cranberry sauce make a familiar sandwich with a sweet-tart note. It is a cold assembly option when you want a break from cooking another casserole. Recipe and photo: Holly Nilsson / Spend With Pennies.
Turkey Salad
Chopped cooked turkey mixes with celery, dried cranberries, mayonnaise and optional pecans. Keep it chilled and serve in bread or with greens for a different leftovers lunch. Recipe and photo: Holly Nilsson / Spend With Pennies.
Leftover Turkey Enchiladas
Cooked turkey, peppers and onion fill tortillas beneath enchilada sauce and Monterey Jack. This changes the flavor of holiday leftovers without starting again with raw poultry. Recipe and photo: Holly Nilsson / Spend With Pennies.
Leftover Turkey Soup
Cooked turkey, carrots, celery and ditalini pasta make a broth-based soup. This version uses olive oil and a generous vegetable base, with the pasta cooked as directed in the full recipe. Recipe and photo: Stacie Vaughan / Simply Stacie.
Choose a Different Flavor for the Next Meal
A sandwich makes a short lunch project, while soup or a casserole can cover a shared dinner. Read the full method before starting, since dried beans, pastry and baked pasta need different cooking windows.